Tortilla Soup

I went to a Christmas get together last night and my friend made this wonderful soup. Everyone asked for the recipe so I thought that I would share it with you. The avocado's and homemade tortilla strips made it extra yummy. My friend used flour tortillas but you can use corn too.

1 medium onion chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 T vegetable oil
30 oz chicken broth
2 cups cubed chicken breast (cooked)
1 cup salsa
1 7oz can corn (drained)
1 can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
6 tortillas (corn or flour)
oil for frying
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
2 T lime juice
1 avocado sliced
1/2 cup grated monterey jack cheese

cook onion, garlic, and red pepper in oil. Stir in chicken broth, salsa, corn, beans, and chicken. Heat through.

Meanwhile cut tortillas in thin strips and fry in oil until crisp.

Just before serving add: cumin, 1/2 cilantro, and lime juice to soup.

Ladle soup into bowls and top with cilantro, cheese, avocado and tortilla strips. You can also add sour cream if you like.