Southwestern Chicken Soup

Here is a new fav of mine. I made this for Calvin's Blessing. I took a risk because i had never made it before and I had no idea what to expect BUT. . . it was a HIT meaning super delicious and I got lots of people asking for the recipe so i thought I'd share with you! I found two recipes that looked good and used a combination of both and added a few of my own ingredients. Enjoy.


Southwestern Chicken Soup
1 Chicken breast, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 T cumin
6 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup uncooked brown rice ( i added closer to ¾ c. can add more)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (an estimation may add more or less)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 chopped seeded tomato
2 avocados, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice $
6 lime wedges
1 14-oz can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed (I like more beans in my soups so I used both)

I did not use these ingredients but you may add or replace
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
4 c fresh spinach (can add more or less)
1 can (16 ounce) Great northern beans
1 14-oz can tomatoes (instead of fresh)
               
Directions
Makes 8 hearty cup-size servings
In a large soup pot set over medium-high flame, chicken broth, garlic, onion, and rice. Cook until soft and starting to get some color. Bring to boil. Add cumin and beans. Reduce heat, simmer 15 minutes. Stir in chicken cilantro, green peppers, pepper, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add lime juice, tomatoes  and avocados stirring well. Serve with lime wedges.

May place cooked rice in bottom of each bowl instead of putting in the soup uncooked.   May add more  avocado and cilantro on top.