Last Updated on August 24, 2025 by Lisa Keys
Faith and chicken tortilla soup provide comfort for some, but not all.
God's Plan
People who have religion and a strong faith in God are to be admired. It seems they can weather any storm, any hardship and all tragic events that come into their lives. They believe in God's plan and that God is in control. Their trust in God is unwavering.
They understand this world is not paradise and pain and death and dying are inevitable. They believe suffering happens for a reason. Each crisis is looked upon as a learning experience and a reminder that following in the steps of Jesus Christ brings relief and hope.
Losing a child
Honestly, I hate God's plan for me and every other mother who has lost a child. As spiritual as I am, I am not particularly religious. Raised by a strict Catholic mother and a father who thought the Catholic church was nothing more than a big business my upbringing was filled with catechism questions and doubts. In fact, later in life, all I ever prayed for, "Please Lord keep my children safe", so you can imagine my current dilemma.
As much as I tried to get religion, I am my father's daughter and can't rely on faith to help me through this. However, William believed in God and that has helped. In his final preparations for his Afghanistan deployment he carefully packed his favorite prayers.
He relied on God to get him through a crisis. He was also prepared to die believing that we would all see each other again. The thought that I will see him again warms my heart and fills me with joy. Walking in his light and being more like him--maybe that is God's plan.
Soup time
The weather has turned cold. Time for a comforting chicken tortilla soup like my Quinoa Chicken Chowder. This soup warms the soul while nourishing the body. It's important to take care of oneself before, during and after the storm and an easy one-pot meal that includes all the food groups helps. Enjoy this award winning recipe. It dates back to 1997 and took first place in the Gold Kist Farms Winning Taste Recipe Contest.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves cut into bite-size pieces
- ¼ cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 large red or yellow potato peeled and diced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
- 1 whole dried chipotle pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth
- 1 cup fresh frozen or canned corn, drained
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- crisp tortilla chips optional
Instructions
- Melt butter in Dutch oven or large stockpot over medium heat.
- Add chicken, quinoa, potato, onion, peppers, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until chicken is no longer pink.
- Add broth and corn; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is cooked and potatoes are tender.
- Add milk, salt and pepper; cook until just heated through.
- Remove and discard chipotle pepper (or if you like it hot mince it up and add back to the soup).
- Stir in cilantro.
- Ladle soup into serving bowls and top with cheese and tortillas.
Dee
Absolutely Beautiful!!! Great recipe!
lisakeys64
Thank you, Dee.
Daryl
You never cease to amaze me. This is beautiful
lisakeys64
Thanks, Daryl. William brought out the beauty in most.
theculinarycellar
Beautiful beyond words, Lisa. Your soup shows yours culinary vision as not many people even knew what quinoa was back in 1997.
lisakeys64
Thanks for the quinoa comment. I am rather proud of the fact that I cooked with quinoa before quinoa was cool.
Sara Poskas
Beautiful words. And the soup looks great!
lisakeys64
Thanks Sara. I know you have some food allergies so please feel free to tinker with that soup to accomodate--maybe soy milk
Marcie Mehrman Ziskind
Hi Lisa, your blog is so inspiring that I sent the link to my oldest son's girlfriend, who's father recently died in a horrible accident. And, I love your recipes! Gonna make this soup this week!
XO
lisakeys64
The unanticipated death of her dad makes it all the more difficult. I am sure she thinks about her future and all the plans that would have included her dad. When those dreams are not realized it is another kind of loss. I hope you like my soup recipe.
Beth Royals
Through sharing your delicious recipes and thoughts you're enriching lives just as you enriched his during his time on Earth. Your writings and recipes bring a feeling of comfort with them. I know he is looking down and reading this blog, smiling at your talent and willingness to reach out and share with others. Both the soup and the photograph look amazing! I've been trying to work quinoa into more meals for my familly and will definately give this a try.
lisakeys64
Thank you so much for your kind support. Quinoa is such a delicious and easy to use ancient grain that is higher in protein than most other grains. It can be easily substituted for rice.
Cathy Rapoza Olsen
The connection to God and your spiritual being can be found in many ways outside of a building called "church". It is in a memory shared, a recipe created, a cookie or stone shaped like a heart, a penny found or the words of a friend who has been to "hell" and is finding her way back. Keep following the light Lisa. Peace and Hope...
lisakeys64
Agreed.