Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place in an aluminum foil-lined pan and bake until a meat thermometer registers 175ºF. Remove to a cutting board and slice into bite-size chunks. Reserve for later use.
In a large pot with a heavy lid over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once sizzling, add the onions, celery, carrots, green onions, and garlic. Saute just until the onions turn translucent, about five minutes. Season with cumin, chili powder, Bijol, garlic powder, and white pepper. Add the lime juice, tomatoes, corn, and chicken stock, and stir to combine. Lower the heat to a simmer.
In the container of a blender, add the tortilla chips and a cup of water. Blend on high until the chips are pulverized. Add to the pot.
Add the chicken thighs and cover the pot. Simmer for 45 minutes until the chicken is tender. With two forks, shred the thigh meat and add the reserved chopped chicken breast meat. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Just before serving, add the cilantro leaves and stir. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped avocado, a lime wedge, and tortilla strips.
Notes
The toppings are up to you: perhaps a bit of grated pepper jack cheese, sliced jalapeños, or a swirl of sour cream; get creative with this one.
Recipe by Acadiana Table at https://www.acadianatable.com/2023/05/29/chicken-tortilla-soup/