CHICKEN AND CHILIES SOUP

The green chilies add extra zip and give the soup its spicy South-of-the-Border flavor.

6 first-course servings (about 1⅓ cups each)

1 each: finely chopped medium onion, rib celery, garlic clove

1 teaspoon margarine or butter

1 quart fat-free chicken broth

¾ cup cubed skinless cooked chicken breast (½-inch)

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained

1½ cups small cauliflower florets

1 cup cooked kidney beans

2 tablespoons cornstarch

¼ cup cold water

½ cup (2 ounces) each: shredded mild Cheddar cheese and fat-free Cheddar cheese

Chopped chives, as garnish

1. Sauté onion, celery, and garlic, in margarine in large saucepan until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, chicken, chilies, cauliflower, and beans; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Heat soup to boiling; stir in combined cornstarch and water. Boil, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low; add cheeses, stirring until melted. Sprinkle each serving with chives.

Per Serving:

Calories: 176

% of calories from fat: 25

Fat (gm): 4.9

Saturated fat (gm): 2.4

Cholesterol (mg): 24.8

Sodium (mg): 341

Protein (gm): 18.2

Carbohydrate (gm): 14

Exchanges:

Milk: 0.0

Vegetable: 0.0

Fruit: 0.0

Bread: 1.0

Meat: 2.0

Fat: 0.0