Best Chicken Tortilla Soup (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker or Stovetop)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil ((for stove top version only))
• 1 small red onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic ( minced)
• 1 medium carrot ( chopped)
• 1 large bell pepper (chopped (optional))
• 1 stalk celery (chopped)
• 1 whole jalapeno (or red chili pepper finely chopped (optional or use less as more as desired for level of heat))
• 1 pound chicken breasts
• 28 ounces canned tomatoes (fie roasted (I puree mine in blender))
• 4 cups chicken broth ((gluten free and low sodium))
• 2 whole bay leaves ((optional))
• 1 teaspoon oregano (dried)
• 2 teaspoons cumin (dried ground)
• 2 tablespoons chili pepper (dried ground)
• 1 teaspoon sugar ((or sugar substitute))
• Salt and pepper ( to taste)
• 12 ounces corn (frozen canned or fresh cut off the cob)
• 12 ounces black beans (canned (drained and rinsed))
• 3 whole Tortilla soft ((regular, gluten free or lower carb soft flour or corn tortillas all work well))
• Olive oil spray ( or ¼ cup oil if you wish to fry tortillas)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (for tortillas)
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese ( shredded (optional))
• 1/4 cup cilantro (fresh chopped (optional))
• Lime zest and lime juice (optional)
• Avocado ((1 sliced optional))