Chicken Lime Soup

evelyn/athens's Note:

One of two Runner-Up recipes for 1993 in the San Francisco Chronicle, from Jacqueline Higuera McMahan.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• olive oil , mist
• 3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 4 limes
• 1 ½ quarts homemade chicken broth or 1 ½ quarts good quality chicken broth
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• ½ cup diced celery
• 1 cup diced carrot
• 1 ¼ cups diced zucchini
• 1 cup diced skinned and seeded tomato
• salt
• ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro

Very Picante Homemade Salsa (use 1/2 cup)

• ½ red onion , diced
• 3 ripe tomatoes , seeded and diced
• 1 jalapeno chile , minced (include seeds)
• 1 garlic clove , minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• ½-¾ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Spray olive oil mist over the chicken breasts, then squeeze the juice of 1 lime over them. Grill (or broil) the chicken over medium heat for 5 minutes per side. Cool for a few minutes, then dice or shred. Set aside.
2. Bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add the bell pepper, garlic, celery and carrot. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes. Add the reserved chicken, the juice of the remaining limes and the tomato. Season with salt. Simmer for a couple of minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the cilantro and salsa, or pass them at the table.
3. For Salsa: Combine the onion, tomatoes, chile, garlic, cilantro and lime juice in a bowl. Season to taste with salt. Yields about 2 cups.

Reviews

[lazyme]

Nice soup! This was simple to make and had great flavor. I agree with the other reviewers - fresh lime juice is a must for this one. Thanks evelyn for a nice lunch. Made for ZWT7 for the Emerald City Shakers.

[KiwiYank]

I really like this recipe, tastes light and fresh and oh so lime (which I am a big fan of) I made it twice, once according to recipe and once I marinated the chicken for several hours. The marinade was chili and lime from another recipe which gave it that extra flavor. I will make many times again!

[happyhousewife]

This was very easy and tasty!!! I used my own homemade salsa and added a dollop of sourcream on top too. It really is important to use fresh limes....don't cheat and use bottled. Thanks:)