Alone or with a meal, one will find it hard to resist a bowl of Cheesy Tortilla Soup from Tamatha Neighbor.  Tamatha is one of our fantastic chefs at The Ohio State University and cooks for the women of Pi Beta Phi.

Cheesy Tortilla Soup

Created by: Tamatha Neighbor

Serves: 6     Prep/Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 lb. chicken breast
• 1 onion
• 1green pepper
• 1 tomato
• ½ cup white rice
• 1 can corn
• 2 tsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 lime
• Pinch- salt, pepper, cumin
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup corn starch
• 1Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup tortilla chips (crushed)

Directions:

In sauté pan, heat oil and add diced chicken. Cook until 165 degrees. Set aside.

In large pot, add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add cilantro, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin and juice of lime to stock. While stock is heating, dice onion, green pepper and tomato and set aside.

Take corn starch and whisk in ½ cup water. Add to boiling stock, stirring constantly until stock thickens slightly.

Turn down heat to low and add peppers, onions and rice. Simmer for 15 minutes then add chicken, tomato, corn and half of the tortilla chips. Cook an additional 10 minutes and turn off heat.

Using a zig-zag motion, slowly add cheddar cheese until melted. Serve topped with additional chips (optional).