MEXICAN CHICKEN VEGETABLE SOUP

2 lbs. Boneless Chicken breasts and thighs, sprinkled liberally with TexJoy Steak Seasoning and Garlic Powder.  Bake in 400 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes or until chicken is 165 degrees.
2-3 tbsp. Olive Oil
1 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 Large Poblano Pepper, chopped
1/2 Medium Green or Red Bell Pepper
8 Garlic Cloves, chopped
4 Celery Stalks, chopped
10 Baby Carrots, chopped into bite size pieces
1 can Rotel Tomatoes, (I used the one with lime juice and cilantro)
3 quarts Homemade Chicken Stock or Campbell's Chicken Broth (this is an approximate amount.                 You may want to add more broth or water depending on how much liquid you like in your                    soup)
1 small bag frozen Baby Lima Beans
1 small bag frozen Sweet Corn
1 large Yellow Squash, sliced into bite size pieces
6-8 Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced (can use mushroom of your choice)
1/3 cup Cilantro, minced
2 Dried Red Chiles (optional)
Salt and Pepper
Toppings:  Chopped avocado, shredded cheese, green onions, fresh chopped cilantro

In a large soup pot, add olive oil and first 7 ingredients.  Saute on low to medium heat until onion is transluscent.

Add the Rotel tomatoes and chicken stock.

Chop the chicken and add to the soup, along with the rest of the ingredients.  Cook for another 30 minutes or longer.  Serve with toppings.

ENJOY!

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE

CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP

Yesterday, I had painters at my house so I couldn't go anywhere.  I kind of like it when that happens.  It means I have to stay home and I can just stay in the kitchen, where I love to be!

I had chicken, some fresh thyme, fresh oregano and parmesan cheese so I was thinking I would make some kind of Chicken Italian soup.  But, I had the Food Network on and someone was caramelzing onions.  It looked so delicious that I started trying to figure out how I could incorporate those onions into my soup and then for some reason, I cannot tell you why, I thought Chicken Enchilada Soup sounded really good.  So good in fact, I completely changed gears and went that route instead.

Now I have never made Chicken Enchilada Soup, I have only eaten it.  My favorite is at Chili's restaurant, but I bet I haven't been to Chili's in 2 years or more.  Every time I would go, I would always get the Chicken Enchilada Soup as a starter.   Anyway, I don't know why, all of the sudden, I started craving it.  I went online to get a base recipe of what an enchilada soup should have.  One of the things it needed was masa flour.  I had some in the pantry but, of course, it was out of date...I don't even remember using it, so it was oldddd.  I already had everything else.  I didn't go by the recipe, I just used it as a guide to get some of the foundation right like how much masa flour to how much liquid.  Aside from that, I did my own thing.  I added and tasted, and added and tasted and then to figure out what needs to be added.  Yesterday, I had a helper.  My taster was my daughter Holly and she was a big help.  We added a couple of things that made the difference between a good soup and an awesome soup!

Since this is my first time to develop and make this recipe, I have only tried it with caramelized onions, so I don't know if just sauteing them would be enough or not...sorry.  But really, these onions do not have to be full out caramelized.  Even slightly caramelized would enhance the flavors of this soup.

I made some mini Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins to go with this and they were just the perfect thing to amp up the flavor even more.

This recipe is going on my favorite list....I love it when that happens!

CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP

2 pounds Chicken Breasts

Garlic Powder

Steak Seasoning

1 large Onion, chopped

2 tablespoons Butter

2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar

6 Garlic Cloves

1/2 - 1 large Poblano Pepper, chopped

1 Package McCormick Enchilada Sauce Mix

1- 8 ounce can Tomato Sauce

1-1/2 cups Water

6 cans Campbell's Chicken Broth

2 cups Water

2 cups Masa Flour

1 Cup Water

2 tablespoons Chili Powder

2 teaspoons Cumin

1 - 10 ounce bag of frozen Corn 

Optional:  1 or 2 cans of Black Beans

8 ounce Sharp Cheddar Cheese, chopped into chunks

Salt to Taste.

Toppings:

Charred Corn

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Cilantro

Green Onions

1.  Season chicken breasts heavily with garlic powder and steak seasoning.

2.  Place in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes or until done.  This will depend on the thickness of the breasts.

I only used the breasts...I saved the thighs for something else.

3.  In a small pot, make the enchilada sauce according to the directions on the package.  Set aside.

4.  In a soup pot, melt butter, add sugar and stir.  Add the onions and and cook on medium high heat, stirring frequently, until the onions are medium brown in color. 

5.  Add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes.

6.  Add poblano pepper and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

7.  Add the Chicken Broth and stir well over medium to high heat.

8.  Combine the Masa and 2 cups of water and whisk until creamy and all is dissolved.

9.  Whisk into the soup mixture until it is all mixed in well.

10. Add the last cup of water and stir.

11. Add all of the the Enchilada Sauce.

12. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin and stir until all is combined well.

13. Add frozen corn.

14. Add the chunk cheese and stir until all is melted and incorporated.

15. Add your chopped chicken breasts. 

16. Let cook for about 15 minutes.

17. Now is the time to add salt, if needed.  Taste first but remember that Salt is a flavor enhancer so don't be shy!

Top with your choice of toppings.

ENJOY!

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE

CHILI-TACO SOUP

I first had this soup at Bible Study Fellowship years and years ago.  Every month, the ladies in my group would get together and have a luncheon.  The lady that made this actually made it in a crock pot.  I didn't ask but I am sure she browned the meat, put it in the crock pot,  and then threw the other ingredients in with it.  I don't know but it was absolutely delicious. 

However, I am a recipe tweaker!  So, when I made this soup today, I decided I would write down exactly what I did different.  Wow...I made 11 changes.  That is the good thing about a soup like this, you can make it however you and/or your family like it.

I added Chicken Broth in place of 2 cups of water. I added granulated garlic to the ground meat while it was browning along with about a teaspoon of salt.  I increased the amount of green onions, onions, and peppers.  I added frozen corn instead of canned, green chiles, steak seasoning, cumin and garlic salt.  I just kept tasting and adding until I got it just like I wanted it.  I would suggest that you do the same when it comes to the salt.  The rule is you can always add but you cannot take away.  Which reminds me of the time (one of the only times) my husband decided to cook. He made a stew and put way too much salt so he decided to fix it with sugar....the kids still remember that disaster! Ha!  He tried...what can I say?!

This is such a great soup to make and freeze.  It is so nice, on those days that you don't have time to cook or don't want to cook, to be able to just pull something out of the freezer that you have made.

I know it is still HOT outside but I am the type person that could eat soup all year long.  Hence, my love of Olive Garden's Unlimited Soup and Salad!  Here is the recipe...let me know what you think!

 

CHILI-TACO SOUP

2 lbs. Ground Sirloin
1-1/2 tablespoons Granulated Garlic
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Green Onion, chopped
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper, chopped
3-4 large Garlic Cloves, minced
2 cans Campbell's Chicken Broth
1 tablespoon Chili Powder
1 package Taco Seasoning
(1) 14.5 ounce can Petite Diced Tomatoes
2 cans Ranch Style Beans with or without Jalapenos
(1) 16 ounce package Whole Kernel Corn
2 cups Water
(2) 4 ounce cans Diced Green Chiles
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
1 teaspoon Steak Seasoning
Fresh Ground Pepper

Brown the ground sirloin and sprinkle with granulated garlic and salt.  Add the chopped veggies and cook until meat is done.  Add 1 can of Chicken Broth, cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.  Remove lid and add the remaining ingredients.  Turn up the heat and bring to a  boil then decrease the heat to low.  Simmer another 20 minutes, or longer if you have the time. 

Serve in bowls with shredded cheese of your choice, tortilla chips, green onions, sour cream and/or chopped avocados.

ENJOY!

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE