El Torito’s Tortilla Soup
Recipe from El Torito Mexican restaurant, Los Angeles, CA. Source Los Angeles Times 12-26-96.
2 chicken breasts; boneless, skinless
3 qt.. chicken broth
1 red onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 boiling potato, diced
1/4 C. tomato paste
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. chipotle chile en adobo, pureed
1 tsp. pickled jalapeno chile seeded, chopped
1 tsp. dried Mexican oregano
1/8 tsp. cumin
salt, to taste
white pepper, to taste
1 zucchini, diced
1 yellow squash, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
juice from 1 lime
2 Tbsp. sweet Sherry (preferably Harvey’s Bristol Cream)
1 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped
4 corn tortillas–cut into thin strips
Oil
1/2 lb. Jack cheese, shredded
12 slices avocado
cilantro sprigs
3 qt.. chicken broth
1 red onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 boiling potato, diced
1/4 C. tomato paste
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. chipotle chile en adobo, pureed
1 tsp. pickled jalapeno chile seeded, chopped
1 tsp. dried Mexican oregano
1/8 tsp. cumin
salt, to taste
white pepper, to taste
1 zucchini, diced
1 yellow squash, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
juice from 1 lime
2 Tbsp. sweet Sherry (preferably Harvey’s Bristol Cream)
1 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped
4 corn tortillas–cut into thin strips
Oil
1/2 lb. Jack cheese, shredded
12 slices avocado
cilantro sprigs
Poach chicken breast in simmering chicken broth until done through, about 10 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle and shred. Combine chicken
broth, chicken, red onion, carrots, potato, tomato paste, bay leaf, garlic, chipotle and jalapeno chilies, oregano, cumin and salt and pepper in large saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Correct seasoning, if necessary. Add zucchini, squash, pepper, lime juice and Sherry. Bring again to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add cilantro and mint. Stir, then remove from heat. To assemble, fry tortilla strips in hot oil until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Ladle soup into each bowl. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and tortilla strips. Garnish each bowl with avocado slice and sprig cilantro. Serve at once.
broth, chicken, red onion, carrots, potato, tomato paste, bay leaf, garlic, chipotle and jalapeno chilies, oregano, cumin and salt and pepper in large saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Correct seasoning, if necessary. Add zucchini, squash, pepper, lime juice and Sherry. Bring again to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add cilantro and mint. Stir, then remove from heat. To assemble, fry tortilla strips in hot oil until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Ladle soup into each bowl. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and tortilla strips. Garnish each bowl with avocado slice and sprig cilantro. Serve at once.
TAGS | Tortilla Soup












CopyKat.com is the creation of Stephanie Manley. Stephanie started publishing recipes on the web in 1995 as a means to capture her family recipes in a format that they would not be thrown away. Over the years she has developed many recipes that taste just like the restaurant originals that you would normally go out to try. 
This is THE BEST tortilla soup recipe I have ever tried. Don’t be tempted to subtitute pre-made tortilla chips in the place of fried tortilla strips, you’d be selling the dish short
AMAZING recipe, a family and co-worker favorite. Thanks!
This soup is amazing!! I’ve never had the one at ‘el torito’..and I was trying to find the one at ‘el torito grill’..it tastes so similar. Has a hint of lime and the ingredients are delicious!! I used about half of everything on this recipe to make a smaller serving and it was still enough to feed five adults!! It’s become a family favorite..love love love it!!