Rainy Day Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup
You wake up in the morning and the first thing you do is look outside the window and expect the sun to burst through the glass. But, instead you open the blinds and see gloom, rain and trees being blown by 15 mph winds. You start to think about how terrible your day will be with this kind of unforeseen weather.
Then, a thought crosses your mind about the one dish you love to make anytime craptastic weather such as this strikes. Four words, spicy chicken tortilla soup! Oh yes, the soup that is so near and dear to your heart. What other soup includes some of your favorite ingredients? From the freshly seasoned shredded chicken to the mini tortilla pieces and gooey cheese to top it off. This rainy day couldn’t have come at a better time.
What is it that makes this soup the absolute best soup you ask? Well, aside from its amazing taste, it has a little bit of everything your body needs or craves. The chicken needed for some protein. The cilantro and onions for some veggie power. The tomatoes for a source of fruit. Corn for that added starch. Crispy tortilla strips for a touch of grain and cheese just to throw some dairy in the mix. What more could you want from a soup? The food preparation just builds up your anticipation when all these delicious ingredients come together to make one spectacular meal.
Suddenly, the day doesn’t seem so bad when you realize you get to indulge in a whole pot of spicy chicken tortilla soup all by yourself. Any time the warm chicken broth reaches your taste buds you feel a wave of nostalgia as you remember the first time you experienced this soup as a child. A trip to Chili’s, your family’s go to restaurant for a cheap meal when mama didn’t feel like cooking. Your mom ordered a sandwich and it included a side salad or a soup. She chose the chicken tortilla soup and of course you asked if you could taste some, as children always did with mom’s food and still do occasionally…or maybe every time you go out to eat. You then dipped a spoon in the overflowing bowl of deliciousness and your life was changed forever.
Your vivid memories become so strong you can longer wait. You throw on your fluffy bunny slippers and zoom to the kitchen. Now, the process begins.
First, you grab a saucepan and heat up some vegetable oil. You throw the onions and jalapenos in there and flip the pot as if you were a chef at a high-end five-star restaurant in Hollywood. You let them soften. Next you bring the chicken broth and tomatoes to a boil. Once the broth is piping hot, let it simmer then add the shredded chicken and corn. Your excitement is building the closer you get to being done. You reach for a bowl out of the cabinet and ladle the soup into the dish. You add the tortilla strips, cilantro and cheese to top. Your body is heating up just thinking about the beautiful moment that is about to occur when this soup slides down your throat.
Then, the UNTHINKABLE happens. You trip over your beloved bunny slippers and the bowl slips out of your hand knocking the entire saucepan off the stovetop. How could your beloved bunny slippers ever betray you like this? You sit there in the middle of the kitchen floor, sulking in your soupy mess. It seems like this stormy day is turning out exactly how you hoped it wouldn’t.
All of a sudden your roommate burst out her room and asks, “Are you okay? I heard a loud noise!”
You can’t say anything, just cry as you continue to wallow in your spilled soup. Immediately your roommate understands because she knows the love you have for spicy chicken tortilla soup.
“I know how to fix this,” she says. “Let’s go to Chili’s and get you some soup. My treat.”
Instantly you feel a rush of love overcome your body. Your much-anticipated meal may have gone to waste, but you’ve got the next best thing. You throw your slippers in the washer and get ready to indulge in a fresh bowl of soup.
But alas, your lovely roommate wouldn’t dare miss the opportunity to tell you what to do. “Don’t forget to clean that up first or no soup for you!”
