Wednesday, November 12, 2014

If you can make this easier, I would love to hear it.

This is not the first chicken tortilla soup recipe I've posted. It's not even the first one using a crock pot. Sorry. BUT. If I promise that it's easier (AND tastier), am I forgiven? Yes? Fabulous.

Hubs is fighting the World's Longest Cold™ and I've worn a sweater two days in a row, so soup is officially in order. I'm feeling particularly lazy, however, so I figured I'd do it with as little work as possible. And I totally lazied the crap out of this one. If you have raw chicken, throw it in. Still frozen? Throw it in. Mine was straight out of the freezer and worked. just. fine.

The only thing that could have made it easier would have been pre-chopped onions so I wouldn't have a chopping board/knife to clean. (Hint: buy pre-chopped onions.) Well, to clean twice, anyway. You'll still need to chop up some cilantro at the end. Or not. Be as lazy as you want, my little slugs. That's all you.


Chicken Tortilla Soup 
Throw all of this into a crock pot*:
Half an onion, sliced or chopped (1/2-1 cup's worth)
1 heaping spoonful minced garlic (out of a jar)
1 tsp chili powder
1.5 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp thyme (or oregano)
1 bay leaf
16 oz jar fire-roasted salsa verde
1 can diced tomatoes
1 32oz box chicken broth (don't use low sodium. If you do, you'll need to add some salt. See? Pointless.)
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

Set it on the 8 hour setting. Go do something else. I'm not bossy. Do what you want. After about 6-7 hours, pull the chicken out and shred it with a couple of forks. It should break apart easily. It won't be hard. I promise. Throw it back in and let it cook til your little light/timer goes off.

Top with any or all of the following:
Tortilla chips (hence the name...)
Shredded Mexican cheese (out of a bag, natch)
Chopped cilantro
Plain Greek yogurt

* It doesn't have to be in a slow cooker. Cook the chicken separately, shred and then throw it all together and simmer a half hour or so, and I'm sure it'll all still be just fine and dandy**.

** American Horror Story has now ruined the word Dandy for me. Amirite? Gahhhh.