Ingredients
Tomato sauce8ounces
Chicken breasts, split, boned and skinned2small
Chicken broth3 1/2cups
Garlic clove, minced1clove
Onion, chopped1/2cup
Cumin, ground1/2teaspoon
Corn oil1tablespoon
Tomatoes, can, cut up16ounces
Green chili peppers, whole, can4ounce
Cilantro, fresh, snipped1/4cup
Oregano1teaspoon
Corn tortillas 5 1/2 inch6each
Cheddar cheese, shredded1cup

Instructions

Place chicken broth in a large saucepan or Dutch oven; add chicken breasts. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Remove chicken from broth. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Skin, bone, and and finely shred chicken; set chicken aside. Discard skin and bones. Strain broth through a large sieve or collander lined with 2 layers of 100% cotton cheesecloth. Skim fat from broth and set broth aside. In the same saucepan cook onion, cumin, and garlic in the 1 tablespoon hot oil until onion is tender but not brown. Stir in strained broth, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili peppers, cilantro, and oregano. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Stir in shredded chicken; heat through. Meanwhile, cut tortillas in half, then cut crosswise into 1/2 inch wide strips. In a heavy medium skillet heat 1/4 inch oil. Fry strips in hot oil, about half at a time, about 1 minute or until crisp and light brown. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Divide fried tortilla strips among four soup bowls. Ladle soup over tortilla strips. Sprinkle each serving with shredded cheese. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.