Craving Mexican? Here's the healthy approach

There really are few things better than great Mexican food. But once you load on the chips, cheese, beans and sour cream, you are most likely looking at a 1000+ calorie meal. We suggest ordering or making a healthy chicken tortilla soup. You get lots of the goodies that make  Mexican food taste great, in a way that balances the portions. 


Try this recipe out!


Healthy Hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup

Serving Size: 6
Total time: 40 Mins


Ingredients

• 4 whole wheat tortillas, cut into 1-by-2-inch strips
• 1 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat and cut into 1 inch squares or strips
• 1 large yellow onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves, diced
• 2 bell peppers diced
• 12 oz. frozen corn
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, preferably with green chiles
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 1/4 cup 2% milk shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Optional: 1 avocado

Instructions

1. Spread tortillas in a single layer on a baking sheet and put it under a broiler for several minutes until browned and crispy. Turn them over and do the same on the other side. 
2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. Add bell peppers, onion, garlic, salt and cumin to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes, corn, pepper and lime juice; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes more. Return the chicken and any accumulated juice to the pot and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and laddle into bowls. 
3. Serve topped with the cilantro, toasted tortilla strips and cheese. Optional, add sliced avocado on top.

Nutrition
Per serving: 357 calories; 12 g fat ( 4 g sat , 4 g mono ); 86 mg cholesterol; 24 g carbohydrates; 37 g protein; 4 g fiber; 775 mg sodium; 231 mg potassium.