Emeril's Favorite Tortilla Soup

Name: Emeril's Favorite Tortilla Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped onions; 2 teaspoons chopped garlic; 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped, or 1 pasilla or green bell pepper and 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 6 cups chicken stock; 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves; 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice; 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying; 6 stale corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips; 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows; 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped, for garnish; 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped, for garnish; Chipotle Crema, accompaniment, recipe follows; 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika; 2 tablespoons salt; 2 tablespoons garlic powder; 1 tablespoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 tablespoon dried thyme; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce; 1/8 teaspoon salt