• Start by heating the pot and adding olive oil.

Sauté Onions

• Diced onions are cooked to become soft and translucent, avoiding browning by adjusting the heat.

Toast Spices

• Add cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chipotle powder, cooking them briefly to enhance their flavors.
• Incorporate Tomato Paste
• Blend the tomato paste with the spices, allowing it to cook out a little.

Deglaze with Stock

• Introduce chicken stock to the pot, scraping up any flavors from the bottom.

Simmer Base Ingredients

• Add crushed and whole tomatoes to the mix, stirring well and seasoning with salt.

Add Chicken

• Introduce chicken breasts into the simmering liquid, cooking for approximately 30 minutes.
• After about 15 minutes, flip the chicken breasts for even cooking and check their internal temperature, aiming for at least 75°C - 165°F for doneness.

Temperature Check

• You monitored the chicken breasts, pulling them out when they reached around 70°C (158°F).

Flavorful Chicken

• The chicken has absorbed the wonderful flavors from the soup, and now it is cooling to facilitate shredding.

Adding Jalapeños

• You incorporated pickled jalapeños for a zesty kick, which will enhance the flavor profile of your soup.

Masah Harina Preparation

• You mixed 4 heaping tablespoons of masa harina with half a liter of water, whisking to eliminate lumps for thickening the soup and providing a corn flavor.
• After mixing the masa harina has been thoroughly whisked, pour it into the simmering soup while stirring to incorporate well.
• Crank up the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer.

Simmer to Cook the Masa

• Allow the soup to simmer for several minutes. This will cook out any raw flour taste from the masa harina and allow it to thicken, contributing to a desirable texture.
• Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Shred the Chicken

• Once the chicken has cooled, use two forks or a meat shredder to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Add the shredded chicken back into the simmering soup, ensuring it is fully combined.

Adjust Seasoning

• Add a good pinch of salt to taste. If needed, adjust the lime juice based on your preference for acidity.

Serve

• Allow the soup to cool slightly until it reaches a comfortable eating temperature. Ladle the soup into bowls.

Garnish

• Dress up your soup according to your liking:
• Add a drizzle of Mexican crema or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Top with a generous spoonful of pico de gallo and fresh cilantro for added flavor. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, feel free to omit it.

Avocado Slices

• For extra richness, add a couple of slices of avocado on top of each bowl.

Crunchy Toppings

• Serve with homemade tortilla chips for a delightful crunch. If you prefer a quicker option, store-bought nachos work well too. Take a moment to appreciate the presentation before diving in! Use a spoon to scoop up a bit of everything—chicken, beans, corn, and garnishes.