Recipe: Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup (Joan Lunden's version) and Applebee`s Cheese Chicken Tortilla Soup

Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Source: former GMA co-host and author Joan Lunden

In a large saucepan, saute:

1 chopped medium onion (about 1 cup) and
2 minced garlic cloves (about 2 tsps) in
2 tbsps vegetable oil
over low heat for 5 minutes until onion is softened.

Add one 4 ounce can green chiles -- chopped
a 15-ounce can italian-style stewed tomatoes (chopped and with their own juice)
4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp lemon pepper
2 tsps worcestershire sauce
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp hot sauce.

Simmer for 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp flour with 1/2 cup water and whisk into soup. Bring the soup back to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes.

Simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in 1/3 cup non-fat sour cream, salt, and pepper to taste.

I love to make my own tortilla chips for garnish, they are easy to make, low in fat and delicious.

Cut 4 store-bought corn tortillas into 1/4 inch strips. Lay them on a baking sheet with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until they are lightly toasted and crispy. Sprinkle lightly with salt if desired. Garnish strips across the top of the finished soup with fresh coriander.
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Applebee`s Cheese Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serves/Makes: 6

1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (optional)
15 ounces can tomato puree
1 teaspoon finely minced jalape o pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
4 teaspoons flour
1/2 cup water
1 pound cooked chicken, cubed or pulled
1 cup cream
1/4 cup non-fat sour cream
8 ounces processed cheese, 1-inch cubes
10 (6-inch) colored or yellow corn tortillas, 1/4-inch strips, fried
Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)

Saut oil, garlic and onions in large pan or Dutch oven until soft.

Add ingredients 4 through 13. Bring to low boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

Cut tortillas into 1/4-inch strips and fry in oil or spray with oil and bake at 400 F (while soup is cooking). Sprinkle with salt if desired.

Thoroughly mix flour and water, then whisk into soup. Bring to a low boil, then simmer 5 minutes.

Add chicken and simmer 5 minutes.

Stir in sour cream and cheese (more or less of each, depending on taste). Ensure 165 F serving temperature.

After serving soup, pile tortilla strips into a "haystack" shape on top of the soup.

Optional: garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.