Applebee's Cheese Chicken Tortilla Soup

Note: Since I found Applebee's tortilla soup recipe, I can have it as often as I like. Yahoo! It is wonderful to keep in the refrigerator now that the weather is cooling off. A bowl of this topped with tortillas and a little dollop of sour cream is perfect for lunch.

Applebee's Cheese Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (optional)
15 ounces can tomato puree
1 teaspoon finely minced jalapeño pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
4 teaspoons flour
1/2 cup water
1 pound cooked chicken, cubed or pulled
1 cup cream
1/4 cup non-fat sour cream
8 ounces processed cheese, 1-inch cubes
10 (6-inch) colored or yellow corn tortillas, 1/4-inch strips, fried
Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)

Directions:
Sauté oil, garlic and onions in large pan or Dutch oven until soft. Add ingredients 4 through 13. Bring to low boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Cut tortillas into 1/4-inch strips and fry in oil or spray with oil and bake at 400ºF (while soup is cooking). Sprinkle with salt if desired. Thoroughly mix flour and water, then whisk into soup. Bring to a low boil, then simmer 5 minutes.
Add chicken and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream and cheese (more or less of each, depending on taste). Ensure 165ºF serving temperature.

After serving soup, pile tortilla strips into a "haystack" shape on top of the soup.

Grab your best tummy warming recipe and join us over at Lisa's for more Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!