Chicken-Tomatillo Soup

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

Tomatillos and chile peppers are blended into a tasty green sauce which adds a bright, fruity flavor to the broth of this yummy chicken soup.

Ingredients

1 (2 pound) whole chicken
1/2 medium green bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons ground cumin
salt to taste
2 quarts water, or as needed to cover
8 medium fresh tomatillos, husks removed
2 green chile peppers
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 cups tortilla chips
1/4 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese, or more to taste
1 medium avocado, diced, or more to taste
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
4 sprigs fresh cilantro

Directions

1 Combine chicken, bell pepper, cumin, and salt in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
2 Remove chicken and reserve 4 cups cooking broth in the pot. Remove and discard skin and bones; shred meat and set aside.
3 While the chicken is cooling, combine tomatillos and chile peppers in a pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the skins are soft, 5 to 8 minutes, being careful not to overcook. Drain and allow to cool slightly. Peel and chop finely.
4 Combine tomatillos, chile peppers, and garlic in a blender; process for 30 seconds, making a green sauce. Add sauce to reserved chicken broth. Add chicken and bring to a boil.
5 Divide tortilla chips between 4 bowls. Ladle chicken soup over chips, then top with Colby-Jack cheese, avocado, olives, and cilantro sprigs.