King Ranch Chicken Soup

For the soup:

• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized cubes
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 1 can (15 oz.) crushed tomatoes, undrained
• 1 carton (32 oz.) chicken broth
• 1 can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chilies
• A few shakes of Tabasco (more if you like it hotter)
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 cups (8 oz.) Velveeta cheese, cut into small cubes
• 4 oz. cream cheese, cubed and at room temperature

Topping – Avocado and Tomato Salsa:

• ½ avocado – cubed
• 1 large Roma tomato – chopped
• ¼ cup red onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp. lime juice

Additional ingredient for serving:

• Crispy tortilla strips