Tortilla Soup

This is one of my family's favorite recipes.

4 chicken breasts, cubed or shredded
olive oil
6 gloves garlic, minced
12 crushed tortilla chips
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. chili powder
3 bay leaves
6 cups chicken stock
1 tsp. salt
 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
Shredded Cheese
Chopped avocado
Sour Cream
Tortilla Chips

In a stock pot, cook chicken in olive oil.  Add garlic, onion, crushed chips and cilantro when chicken is almost done; saute til tender.  Stir in tomatoes.  Bring to a boil; add cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, and chicken stock.

Return to a boil.  Reduce heat. Add salt and cayenne pepper.  If I have lime on hand I like to squeeze lime juice into the soup.  Simmer 30 minutes.  Remove bay leaves.  Before serving, top with cheese, avocado, sour cream and tortilla chips.