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Zesty Chicken Soup

My spicy chicken soup is chock-full of chicken and vegetables. Best of all, it freezes nicely, making a second meal with little effort!

—GWEN NELSON CASTRO VALLEY, CA



PREP: 25 MIN. COOK: 40 MIN. MAKES: 10 SERVINGS (3 3/4 QUARTS)


1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 cups water

1 medium onion, chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Mexican diced tomatoes

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 cup medium salsa

3 medium zucchini, halved and sliced

2 medium carrots, sliced

1 cup frozen white corn

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies

3 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon dried basil

Shredded cheddar cheese and tortilla chips, optional

1. Place chicken in a Dutch oven; add water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Remove the chicken and cut into 1/2-in. cubes; set aside.

2. In a large skillet, saute onion, celery and garlic in oil until tender; add to cooking juices in the Dutch oven. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, salsa, zucchini, carrots, corn, chilies, cumin, chili powder and basil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add chicken; heat through.

3. Garnish with cheese and tortilla chips if desired. Soup may be frozen for up to 3 months.

PER SERVING 1/2 cups (calculated without cheese and tortilla chips) equals 152 cal., 3 g fat (1 g sat. fat), 31 mg chol., 518 mg sodium, 16 g carb., 5 g fiber, 14 g pro. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 starch.