During the time I commuted from Bucks County, PA to work in New York we would always make it a point to keep our schedules open on Tuesdays to ensure we could get out for lunch. Why? Because Tuesdays are the only day Houston’s serves it’s Chicken Tortilla Soup. You may think, how can one recipe be that much better? Well I’m not exactly sure, but it is. Believe me.

The bad news: Houston’s doesn’t officially post the recipe.
The good news: I found a few other loyalists that have shared what seems to be pretty darn close version of it.

I did make a few adjustments and wasn’t able to find the thin tortilla strips they serve it with. Overall it is so delicious we had it for breakfast the morning after I made this batch.

Invite your family over and serve it family style to allow everyone to put as much or as little of the garnishes as desired.

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 1/4 cup minced garlic
• 1/4 cup Masa flour
• 12 oz. ground corn tortilla chips
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. ground chili powder
• 1/2 Tbsp. ground black pepper
• 4 quarts chicken stock
• 1/4 cup chicken base
• 4 cups shredded chicken*
• 1/4 cups chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and ground pepper to taste

Garnishes:

• Avocado
• Sliced Limes
• Monterrey Jack Cheese
• Additional Fresh Cilantro
• Crushed Tortilla Chips

DIRECTIONS

1- Melt butter in soup pot. Add olive oil, diced onion, and garlic. Sautee on medium only until onions are softened and clarified. Salt lightly.

2- In separate bowl mix Masa flour, ground tortilla chips, cumin, chili powder, and 1/2 tablespoon black pepper together.

3- Add the dry mix to the onions. Cook for a few minutes, until the raw flavor of the flour should have cooked out. Salt lightly.

4- Slowly add the chicken stock and chicken base.

5- Blend the mixture with a hand blender, until all of the flour pieces have blended out and the soup is completely smooth.

6- Bring the soup to a boil, and allow to cook/boil/reduce for a few minutes until the soup has thickened slightly and coats the spoon. Salt and pepper to taste.

7- Ladle soup into bowl top with chicken and cilantro.

8- Garnish each serving with plenty of avocado, crushed tortilla chips, shredded Monterrey cheese, lime slice and a few extra sprinkles of cilantro.

NOTES

*Marinate chicken breasts in lime juice and salt, then broiled on low for a soft and flavorful chicken to add to the soup. Shred with two forks.

* I honestly can’t remember if the served it with or if I added the lime. But if you are a fan, lime makes all the difference.

TABLESCAPE TIPS:

* Family Style service refers to placing bowls or platters of menu items on the dining table and guests are able to serve themselves. Bowls and platters remain on the table and are passed as needed.

* Stack Rustic wooden bowls and hand thrown earthenware plates. One for each guest plus a few extra for seconds.

* Offer each garnish in a separate bowl with a wooden serving spoon. Be sure to overfill bowls so guests feel free to add as desired without concern for taking the last bit.

* Offer additional course sea salt and ground black pepper in small rustic vessels with individual wooden spoons.

* Serve soup in bowl that will retain heat such as this wooden salad bowl from the 70’s. Refill the bowl to keep it hot as guests arrive.

The #SundaySupper family will be digging out their stock pots and slow cookers to serve up these amazing soups:

Do The Chicken Dance (chicken {or other poultry} soups)

• • Chicken Tortellini & White Bean Soup at Flour On My Face
  • Chicken Gnocchi at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
  • Chicken Cheese Soup by There and Back Again
  • Chicken Tortellini Soup by Country Girl In The Village
  • Chicken Soup with Leeks, Onions and Fennel by Shockingly Delicious
  • Family Style Tablescape featuring Chicken Tortilla Soup by An Appealing Plan
  • Yucatan Chicken Lime Soup (Sopa de Lima) by The Weekend Gourmet
  • Chicken Meatball, Spinach and Orzo Soup from Gourmet Drizzles
  • Ground Turkey Soup at The Messy Baker
  • Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Sausage Chowder by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
  • Chick-Fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup by Family Foodie
  • Chicken Vegetable Noodle Soup at Cupcakes and Pearls
  • Turkey Smoked Sauage and Wild Rice Soup at Mama, Mommy, Mom

  Where’s The Beef (Beef Soups)

  • Chili with Black Beans by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
  • Vegetable and Beef Soup by Supper For a Steal
  • Swabian Beef Spaetzle +1 Soup (Gaisburger Marsch) at Galactosemia in PDX
  • Bacon Cheeseburger Soup by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
  • Beef Pho Soup by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
  • Frijol con Carne by MarocMama
  • Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef and Noodle Soup)  by Neighborfood

  Pass The Pork. Please (Pork or Sausage Soups)

  • Healthy Bean and Sausage Soup by Momma’s Meals
  • Louisiana Caldo by Catholic Foodie
  • Soft Tofu Soup (Soondubu Jjigae) by Hip Foodie Mom

  Under The Sea (Seafood Soups)

  • Shrimp Miso Noodle Soup at Pescetarian Journal
  • Szechuan Fish Soup by The Urban Mrs.
  • New England Clam Chowder at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
  • Hearty Okra Shrimp Gumbo Laced with Coconut Oil by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
  • Bacon and Shrimp Bisque at Big Bear’s Wife
  • Lobster Bisque for Two by Peanut Butter and Peppers
  • Chinese Fish Maw Soup by My Trials in The Kitchen
  • Thai Curry Coconut Mussel Soup by Noshing With The Nolands

  Eat Your Veggies (Chock Full o’ Vegetables Soups)

  • Not-So-Mini-Strone at The Foodie Army Wife
  • French Onion Soup by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
  • Spicy Sweet Potato and Corn Soup at Magnolia Days
  • Creamy Cheddar Potato Soup at Daily Dish Recipes
  • Rather French Onion Soup by What Smells So Good?
  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
  • Cream of Ancho Chile Soup from La Cocina de Leslie
  • Pasta e Fagoli Soup at Cravings of a Lunatic
  • Miso Soup by Crazy Foodie Stunts
  • Vegetable Consommé with Semolina Dumplings – Grießknödel at Masala Herb
  • Vegetable Medley Soup with Broccoli and Leeks at Chattering Kitchen
  • Smoky Kale and Tomato Soup with Garlic Croutons by The Wimpy Vegetarian
  • Coconut Corn Chowder at Mangoes and Chutney
  • Make Your Own (Gluten Free) Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup at The Meltaways
  • Ital Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup at The Lovely Pantry
  • Chunky Vegetable and Barley Soup at Curious Cuisiniere
  • Corn Soup with Crispy Tortilla Strips at Ninja Baking
  • Jalapeno Beer Cheese Soup by The Hand That Rocks The Ladle
  • Wild Mushroom Soup at Food Lust People Love
  • Creamy Carrot Soup at Cookistry
  • Vermicelli Soup by Damn Delicious
  • Country Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Potatoes at girlichef

  Some Don’t Like It Hot (Chilled Soups)

  • Chilled Strawberry Soup at Juanita’s Cocina
  • Bread and Tomato Soup – Gazpacho Style at Vintage Kitchen Notes

  It’s a souper-palooza! Time to get out the soup pot and get cooking. There are so many I want to make before summer. Now to pick which one will be next. What kind of soup is your favorite?

  Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

  Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.

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And, if you are looking for even more ways to celebrate everyday check out An Appealing Plan the book.

Call it a trend or a return to the past, but I believe we are bringing back entertaining at home, lingering over a table after a lovingly prepared meal with friends. It has been a way of life and passion of mine my entire adult life, and I am thrilled to be able to invite you on this journey with me through a year of celebrating every day. Filled with recipes, tablescapes, floral inspiration and seasonal entertaining ideas An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations, is a dream come true for me a true honor to be able to share it with you. To learn more about An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations here. And of course, share how you are celebrating everyday.