EatingWell: Fiesta in a bowl
This savory chicken vegetable soup seems even richer with the smoky flavor from roasted poblano peppers and garlic. Serve with tortilla chips.
Southwestern Vegetable & Chicken Soup
Serves 8
Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 1/2 hours
2 medium poblano peppers
2 teaspoons canola oil
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed, cut into bite-size pieces
1 1/2 cups chopped onion (1 large)
1 1/2 cups chopped red or green bell pepper (1 large)
1 1/2 cups green beans, cut into 1/4-inch pieces, or frozen, thawed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans or pinto beans, rinsed
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 cups chopped chard or spinach
1 1/2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
To roast poblanos: Position oven rack about 5 inches from the heat source; preheat broiler to high. Line the broiler pan with foil. Broil whole poblanos, turning once, until starting to blacken, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a paper bag and let steam to loosen skins, about 10 minutes. When the poblanos are cool enough to handle, peel, seed, stem and coarsely chop; set aside.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add onion, bell pepper, green beans and garlic. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in chili powder and cumin; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in broth, beans, tomatoes and the chopped poblanos; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
Add the reserved chicken and juices, chard (or spinach) and corn; return to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes more to heat through and blend flavors.
Top each portion with 1 tablespoon each cilantro and lime juice; serve with lime wedges.
Make ahead tips: Prepare through Step 4 and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for up to six months; add cilantro and lime juice just before serving.
Recipe nutrition: Per serving: 199 Calories, Total Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 28 mg, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Fiber: 6 g, Total Sugars: 9 g, Added Sugars: 0 g, Protein: 15 g, Sodium: 638 mg, Potassium: 794 mg, Folate: 72 mcg, Calcium: 67 mg
Carbohydrate Servings 1 1/2
(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)