Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Here is a recipe I've been meaning to share with you.  Between homeschool, laundry, church, dishes, soap making, laundry, and feeding my family I somehow forgot to post this recipe. Did I mention laundry? 

I researched several soup recipes similar to this one. I wanted something that would suite the tastes of my family and be easy to prepare for those busy days. You know..one that I could turn on and walk away from..for hours. Because well, laundry.  So, I make this in the slow cooker.  It is perfect for those crazy busy days. If we are gone all day to co-op or running errands or whatever, it is so wonderful to have supper done when we arrive home.  This also makes a great Sunday lunch. Wouldn't it be nice to come home from church and sit down with a warm bowl of soup? 

This recipe is similar to The Pioneer Woman's recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup.  I tweaked it to make it fit for us.  I did, however, use her way of making the fried tortilla strips.  Those are sooo good. So check out her post for the tortilla strips.  

We like corn, so I use quite a bit.  A quart size bag is what I use for this soup. We "put up" corn here every summer. I put probably two and a half cups (maybe even three) in one quart size bag.  It is so nice to have a freezer full of corn all year. If you are using canned corn, start with one can and then decide if you'd like more. I also only used two boneless skinless chicken breasts. Those chicken breasts went a long way!

*Note: If you don't feel comfortable putting raw chicken into the pot with the other ingredients, roast or boil your chicken a little bit first. I don't mind using it raw...and we lived to tell about it. ;-)

All the soup ingredients are just thrown into the pot.

Look at how wonderful the chicken shreds.

Slice the tortillas into strips.

Just before serving, fry the strips.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 quart of chicken broth (I use homemade. If you are using purchased broth, I recommend the low sodium)
• 1 or 2 cans of corn (Or frozen--2 cups or more depending on your preference)
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin

Fried Tortilla Strips

• 3 or 4 small corn tortillas
• oil for frying

Place all soup ingredients into slow cooker. Give it a stir.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the chicken is done and shreds. 

Just before serving, slice the tortillas into strips and fry in hot oil. This does not take long. Keep your eyes on them. They will burn quickly! Again, see The Pioneer Woman's post for more instructions on the fried strips. 

Top individual servings with tortilla strips and whatever other toppings you like. We like sharp cheddar and a little avocado. 

Enjoy!

Butternut Squash Soup

You know by now that I don't love the cooler temps that come with fall, but I do love the fall foods. Soups, stews, breads, etc... are just warm and comforting. My aunt gave me a few butternut squash from her garden and I knew just what I was going to do with them. I love to roast them with sweet potatoes and red skin potatoes, but I really enjoy butternut squash Soup.

I found a recipe in a magazine a year or so ago for butternut squash soup and I sort of followed it. There were ingredients in the recipe that I don't normally use or have on hand. I decided to create my own similar recipe and I love how it turned out.   There are apples and a potato hiding inside and I topped it off with bacon  pieces. You can never go wrong with bacon!  I served the soup with gluten free cheese garlic bread and a simple salad of greens, cucumber, strawberries,  and fresh from the mountains apples and pears.

These are three small squash that yielded exactly 4 full cups diced. I used half of this potato.

 I love the smell of onions cooking. Sadly, this was my last Vidalia.

4 full cups of peeled and diced butternut squash.


All the veggies, fruit, and spices added to the pot.



After the soup cooks for about 30 minutes, it is time to puree.  I LOVE my immersion blender.

Ready for the full recipe? You will enjoy it!

Butternut Squash Soup

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 cups butternut squash--peeled, seeded, and diced (I used 3 small squash, but you might find that one large one is sufficient.)
• 2 medium apples-- a sweeter variety (I used an old fashioned Grimes Golden. Golden Delicious will work well, too.), peeled and diced
• 1 medium russet potato--peeled and diced
• 1 quart of chicken broth--homemade is best!
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• Rosemary sprigs and bacon crumbles for garnishing

In a large pot, heat olive oil and cook onion until tender.  Add in the squash, apples, potato, chicken broth, apple juice, pepper, salt, and chopped rosemary.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook for about 30 minutes or until veggies are tender.  Remove from heat, and puree with an immersion blender until smooth and no lumps remain.  Serve warm and top with bacon crumbles and a sprig of fresh rosemary.  

*Note:  If you do not have an immersion blender, try an electric hand mixer.  This would blend wonderfully in a VitaMix.  Too bad I don't have one of those!

Perfect Fall meal!

I'm Back...and with food!

Well, I am back.. After a busy week last week, and then a much needed girls getaway over the weekend to a women's conference, I am ready to hit the kitchen. I ate out from Friday lunch until Saturday supper. I was so sick of eating out and couldn't wait to get into my kitchen for a home cooked meal. Its been extremely dreary here too and it just makes for wanting to stay in pajamas and in bed for most of the day. I was tired from my weekend, but Sunday night I had to cook. What better to cook/eat on a rainy weekend, than soup! I whipped up a Potato and Corn soup and it was delicious! This recipe comes from the cookbook, Paula Deen and Friends, and I tweaked it just a hair. Her recipe is called Potato Soup with Shrimp. I have made it that way in the past, but I didn't really care for the shrimp in it. I substituted the corn and it went over very well with my family. I do hope you enjoy it too!

Potato and Corn Soup

1/2 stick of butter
1 small onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced (optional) I didn't add carrots because I didn't have any
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
8-10 medium size white potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 Cups milk
2 chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in 1/2 cup hot milk
1 qt package of corn (if you freeze your own) or 1-2 cans (use the sweet white kind)
1 cup half-and-half
salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and saute the onion and carrots until both are slightly tender.


Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.


Add the potatoes, corn, milk, and dissolved bouillon cubes. Cook over medium heat until the potatoes are soft.


Add the half-and-half and the salt & pepper. Let cook a few minutes longer and ladle up into bowls..serve with corn bread or crackers.