Cream of Broccoli Soup

Set your timer because you can have this Cream of Broccoli Soup ready in under 10 minutes!  It's so easy. It only has three ingredients- broccoli, heavy cream, and chicken stock.  Ready.  Set.  Go!

Here's what you'll need:
1 package broccoli florets (12 ounces)- I get the steamer bag which makes it super fast!
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock
salt & pepper to taste

Makes about 3 servings.

Here' what to do:
Steam your broccoli in the microwave.  The bag of broccoli florets that I used instructed to pierce the bag, place on microwavable plate, and microwave for 4 minutes.

Put broccoli, heavy cream, chicken stock, salt and pepper in food processor or blender and puree until smooth.  This only takes a couple of minutes.

Transfer mixture to medium sauce pot and heat on medium  heat for 3-4 minutes.

How's that for fast and easy?  If you like broccoli and cheese soup, you can add in some cheese.  Enjoy!

Chicken Mushroom Soup

This soup is currently my husband's favorite.  Chicken & Mushroom Soup is packed with protein and can be ready in a matter of minutes.  It makes for a satisfying lunch or dinner.  Just add a salad for a complete meal!

Here's what you'll need:
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 cans cooked chicken breasts
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
salt & pepper
2 green onions, chopped

Makes 4 servings.

Here's what to do:
Saute the onion and celery in a small stock pot until tender.  Add the chicken, mushrooms, chicken stock, water, garlic powder, salt and pepper to pot.  Stir ingredients together.  Simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Top with chopped green onions.

Here are a few time savers:

Mushrooms are great for you!  Hey, it says so right on the container!  They're a super food because they are packed with vitamin D and are a good source of antioxidants.  Plus, they're low in calorie. Save time by buying the pre-sliced mushrooms at the store. They're already clean, sliced and ready to go.  You can add them to soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, or your morning omelette.

Another great time saver is canned chicken breast.  It's convenient for making a quick chicken salad, or tossing into a soup.

Tuscan Chicken Soup

Fall weather just screams for a nice, hot bowl of soup.  Here's an easy soup to prepare using rotisserie chicken and some other really healthful ingredients.

Tuscan Chicken Soup
1 cup chopped baby carrots
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 can Cannellini beans (white kidney beans), 15.5 ounces
2 cups shredded chicken (I use rotisserie chicken)
3 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 cups baby spinach leaves

Directions:

1. Saute carrots, onions, and garlic in 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a soup pot.  
2. Add 1 can Cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained.
3. Add 2 cups shredded chicken.  (I use rotisserie chicken)
4. Add 3 cups chicken broth.
5. Add 2 cups baby spinach.
6. Add in 1 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning.  Add more if needed to suit your taste.
7. Let simmer on stove for about 30 to 40 minutes.

Here's a link to one of my other favorite soups:

Chicken Taco Soup

Enjoy "Soup Season"!

-Karen

PS- This soup tastes even better as leftovers the next day!  

Chicken Taco Soup

When autumn weather hits, this is the soup that I crave.  Chicken Taco Soup is quick and easy and tastes great on a chilly night. Plus, you'll have leftovers for lunch the next day, or another meal. You can even freeze the leftovers. Last night I used part of a rotisserie chicken that I bought at Sam's Club to make my Cheater Chicken Caesar Salad.  Today, I'm using the leftover rotisserie chicken to make taco soup. It's a two for one!  It saves time, money, and nothing is wasted.  This soup is so hearty, it's all you'll need for dinner.  

Chicken Taco Soup
2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
* If you have time, you can also cook 3 chicken breasts.  Just boil the chicken breasts until done, cool and shred.  Or if you don't have a rotisserie chicken on hand or chicken breasts, you can use a can of diced white chicken breast.
1/2 medium white onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (I use 1 teaspoon minced garlic from a jar)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes (You can also use Rotel tomatoes)
1 cup of green chili salsa (salsa Verde)
1 small can of green chilies (4 ounces), rinsed and drained
1 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups chicken broth

Garnishes
shredded cheese
tortilla chips
sour cream
tomatoes

Directions:  
Saute garlic and onion with olive oil in soup pot.  Add cooked, shredded chicken and taco seasoning.  Stir ingredients together.  Add green chilies, tomatoes with juice, green salsa, black beans, kidney beans, and chicken broth. Combine ingredients.  Let simmer for 45 minutes.  Top with garnishes of your choice.

Makes about 6 servings.

I love one-pot wonders.  This soup is so easy.
Just open a can of this and that and dinner is ready in minutes.

Let soup simmer for about 45 minutes.
The aroma in your house will be fantastic!

Garnish with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, and tomatoes.

This is truly one of my favorite soups.  If you are having friends over, the recipe can be easily doubled- just remember to use a bigger pot!  This recipe is so easy and delicious. Enjoy!

-Karen