Crock Pot Tortilla Soup with Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

Yummy!  When its winter (or what we call winter down here in So. Fla)  this is a good quick dinner.  Its also good when this Texas girl misses good, REAL TEX MEX and it isn't cold in So. Fla. at all!

The recipe says to do it in the crock pot, but I have done it stove top.  My favorite way to do it is to dump everything in the crock pot on a Sunday morning, and its ready for dinner that night, with leftovers for freezing of for the week.  I came across a similar recipe on the Fort Worth Star Telegram website a while back, but could not find the link.  I also consulted this recipe on Food.com .  Hope you enjoy! 

Crock Pot Tortilla Soup with Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

From The Fort Worth Star Telegram

Prep time: 30 minutes

1 1/2 pounds cooked shredded chicken (what I usually do is buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery and use all the chicken off of it in the soup.  Just shred it up and dump it in.)         

1  15 oz. can diced tomatoes

1  14 oz. can Green Chile Enchilada Sauce (in the Mexican food Aisle.  Comes in a can.  Not the green salsa) 

2  7 oz. cans Diced Green Chiles

1  15 oz. can pinto beans, drained

1  medium onion, chopped

2  tbsp minced garlic (or just use the chopped jarred kind)

2  cups water

1  15 oz. can chicken broth

2  tsp each: cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper (or to taste) (I usually just sprinkle each all over the top of the crock pot, and then taste to make sure its enough for me)

1  15 oz. can corn, drained.  I like to use the "summer" variety corn.

Tortilla Chips, for garnish (optional)
Mexican Blend Cheese, for garnish (optional)
Sour Cream, for garnish (optional)
Avocado, for garnish (optional)

In crock pot, combine everything together.  Hold the garnish for, I don't know, garnish???? Cover and cook for 6-8 hours. 
To serve it up, I crush the chips up and put them in the bowl first, sprinkle them with a little cheese and then top with the hot soup.  Top it off with a dallop of sour cream and chunks of avocado or more cheese if you like.