Southwestern Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Tortilla Strips

1 medium onion, chopped
1 Large carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
2 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped pickled jalapeno slices
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
8 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, chopped
juice of 1 lime (about 2 Tbsp)
1 ripe avocado, chopped
Tortilla Strips

Saute first 3 ingredients in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute.
Stir in chicken and next 5 ingredients. Stir in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Serve with chopped avocado and Tortilla Strips.
Makes about 6 servings.

I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
I do not cook the jalapeno in the soup i let people add it if they want to.