chicken tortilla soup, you are my weakness

i don't make many things home made
nor do i even cook much..
but when your favorite little meal is a 1,000 miles away
(McAlister's chicken tortilla soup)
you get your little booty in the kitchen

and it is delish!

What you need:

(according to food.com & personal tweaks that I learned along the way)

side note: I don't like chunks so I pureed (with a magic bullet) anything that looked chunky
(rotel, cilantro, creamed corn, & onions)

• 3 garlic cloves, minced - (3 or so pinches)
• 1 onion, chopped  -(i used half of a medium sized onion - i don't really like onions unless they are pureed)
• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth - (I just used 3 cans)
• 4 cups half-and-half - (i just used the regular carton size)
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup - (i just used 1 can)
• 1 cup salsa - (i just used 1 can of rotel, if you want a bigger kick use two)
• 1 (15 ounce) can creamed corn- (i used just 1 can)
• 3 cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fajita seasoning mix
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 16 ounces tortilla chips or tortillas- (1 bag)
• 8 ounces monterey jack cheese, shredded 
• 1/8 cup green onion, chopped  (-my mother told me to skip this part)
• bread bowls if you prefer  

Directions:

1. In a large pot - boil chicken until done, then when the chicken is done, shred.

 

2. In a large pot over medium heat, saute the garlic and onion in the butter or margarine for 5 minutes.

Add flour and stir well, cooking for 1 minute more.

 

3. Add the broth and half-and-half. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Add the soup, salsa, corn, chicken, cumin, fajita seasoning and 2 tablespoons cilantro. Stir and continue to heat for 15 minutes.

4. Cute tortillas with a pizza cutter into strips and bake until crisp.

5. Top off your soup with shredded cheese and baked tortilla strips.

what meal seems to always get you in the kitchen?
if you have links to recipe don't hesitate to share!