Ok, I just couldn't stand it anymore. Had to make a huge crock of this stuff again this week. It turned out pretty good but it was too thick. I'll add more chicken broth next time. This soup is more like a stew....it's very chunky and creamy (like me! haha) 
Ok, so since several of you asked, here's how to make it. And really, it's not a traditional or ultra-homemade dish by any means. It's a fast "hurry and make it now so that in three hours we can eat" kind of a crockpot meal.
First, get five chicken breasts and throw them in the crockpot. Cover pot and place setting on high. Go check your email, write your column and pay some bills and then hustle in to check the chicken. Yup, it's done. Pull it out, put it on a plate and cut it up nice and small. Allow all the little hands begging for chunks to go away happy. (otherwise, just use four total chicken breasts rather than five)
Next, throw the chicken chunks BACK in the crock and open up a huge can of cream of chicken soup OR cream of celery soup. Toss it in there. Add a bunch of water...say maybe 4 cups. Or 5. Then, peel a chicken bouillon cube or two and plunk them in. Now, stir.
Next, put in a bag of Bear Creek Tortilla Soup mix. It has a green package and stands out well in my messy pantry. Dump that stuff in. http://www.bearcreekfoods.com/8serv-13.html Here is a link to their site, and no, they do not advertise. Free plug.
Look at that picture....YUM. Ok so now that this stuff is simmering, thow in about 6 oz of Velveeta Cheese. I know, that sounds gross, but truly it is not. It makes it creamy and special. As in, what's that strange taste...I've tasted this as a kid...just can't put my finger on it. And no, Velveeta does not advertise. http://www.kraftfoods.com/velveeta/main.aspx?s=&m=content_main. Just another free plug.
Open a can of corn kernals. Pour it in the crock, water and all (makes it sweet). Stir. Now, go check your email, write your blog entry and chat with your kids. Tell them to go stir it for a few minutes every hour or so. Make sure your setting is on low long by now. You might have them add a little water if needed. You don't want it TOO thick like mine was today.
Two or maybe three hours later, cut up an avocado - put it in a little dish. Put the sour cream on the table. Have a munchkin make the table pretty with bowls and spoons, napkins and flowers (we did not do this today; we are the crazy all over the place family).
Tear up about 6 corn tortillas and plop them in the mess while the table is being set. Stir around a bit. Cover now on the OFF setting.
Serve about 15 to 30 minutes later with chunky avocado and blobs of sour cream in each bowl. Have some green chiles on hand for the brave. Oh man, HEAVEN. My kids LOVE it. Last night I also made beans in another crockpot to simmer all night so that was served with the tortilla soup/stew stuff. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
OK, so how do YOU make tortilla soup? Think it can beat mine? 
-gena
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Jun. 15, 2005
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