Southwestern Chicken Soup

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I’m a soup girl!  I make homemade soup once a week.  Call me obsessed, go ahead, I won’t be offended…just make sure to be truthful and call yourself jealous at the same time.

Soup is the quintessential one pot meal.  Healthy, comforting, and delicious…every time.  It’s also customizable and perfect for those with picky eaters in the house.  Pack it with your favorite fresh veggies and lean proteins, fat free broth, herbs, and spices.   Another underrated plus = minimal cleanup.

This recipe is hearty, spicy, and full of southwestern flavor.  Plenty of typical chili flavors are prevalent,  but this is lighter and “brothier.”  Serve this addicting soup with lots of tortilla chips on the side for dunking and scooping.   Oh yeah, don’t forget the cold Mexican beer with a lime wedge.  This soup-obsessed girl gives this recipe her ringing endorsement!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups fat free chicken broth
• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes in juice
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 2 4oz cans chopped green chilies
• 2 15oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• Crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch (more if you like it extra spicy)
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken (3-4 chicken breasts or 12 chicken thighs)
• Fixing suggestions: shredded monterey jack cheese, scallions, cilantro, avocado, lime wedges, sour cream, tortilla chips

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add red onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper.  Cook for 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent and peppers are cooked through.  Add garlic and cook 1 additional minute.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot (be sure to nestle raw chicken into the center of the pot).  Allow soup to come to a light boil then reduce the heat to simmer, cover pot, and cook 1 hour.  Remove chicken, allow to cool, and shred with 2 forks.  Return shredded chicken to pot and cook for an addition 15 minutes.  Adjust seasoning to taste (I sometimes add more lime juice or crushed red pepper flakes at this point).

Serve with desired fixings.

Servings: 8 – 10 (Serving size: 1 – 1 1/2 cups)