Day 27: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Soup
48 oz. chicken broth
15 oz. can tomato sauce
15 oz. can diced tomatoes with chilies or jalapenos
2 lbs. boneless chicken breasts
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 small tomato, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. cilantro
1 tbl. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. hot sauce (optional)

Thickener
3 tbl. butter or margarine
3 tbl. flour
2 cups half and half

Garnishes (optional)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 lime
2 cups tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
Sour cream
Cilantro

1. Place everything except the thickener and garnish ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 5-6 hours.
2. Stir flour and butter in skillet over medium heat. Add half and half; cook, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for up to 15 minutes, stirring. Add to slow cooker. Pull/shred chicken. Turn slow cooker to high for 1 hour or until heated thoroughly.
3. Dress with garnishes; squeeze a bit of lime into soup.