Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Southwestern Chicken and Red Rice Soup


Since it's chilly at night,  I recently made this delightful soup recipe, adapted from a good friend's version of soup she had ordered at a local cafe.  Full of piquant peppers and onions, hearty red rice, corn and chicken, this soup was one of the best I've tasted in a long while.


Red rice you ask?  It was the first time I had used it, as I normally use brown rice.  I've since learned that red rice is even more nutritious than brown rice! Red rice gets it's color from an antioxidant called anthrocyanins, which are found in dark purple and red fruits and vegetables.  Anthrocyanins are believed to have properties that reduce inflammation and can prevent the risk of cancer.  The manganese found in both red and brown rice helps to strengthen metabolism, lower blood pressure as well as lower heart attack risk.  And, there is Magnesium in it that can strengthen bones and teeth (if taken along with calcium).  Red rice has a delightful nutty flavor.


With a side of tortilla chips, either crumbled or used as a 'spoon' for dipping into your soup, it will be hard to not go back for seconds.  Believe me, I did :)   The flavors in this soup are bright and flavorful enough to serve all year long and is only moderately spicy, not hot.


Garden and yard clean up is taking up a lot of time now that the snow has finally melted.  It's wonderful to see things sprouting and growing again!


We also had a all-family gathering recently where we celebrated three family birthdays.  It was a delicious event hosted by my daughter and son-in-law.  I'd love to share with you the new 'gallery' of artwork my daughter recently installed, all of which were created by my 6-year-old grandson, Dane. It makes me smile knowing that we may have a budding artist in the family :)

Southwestern Chicken and Red Rice Soup

Printable Recipe

1-2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil, such as canola or grapeseed
1 large yellow onion, diced
4-5 large stalks of fresh celery, diced (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 scant tablespoon of garlic, minced
1 large or two small Poblano peppers, seeded and diced
1 28-oz can petite diced tomatoes in juice
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced (or use rotisserie chicken breast), about 2 cups
1 12-oz bag frozen white corn (use all or as much as you like)
1 cup uncooked red rice (Whole Foods), brown rice can be subbed if you can't find red rice
4 cups chicken stock (I like Costco's Organic Chicken Stock or Kitchen Basic Unsalted Chicken Stock)
2 cups water
Salt and Pepper to taste
Tortilla chips and chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

In a soup or stock pot, saute the onions and celery in oil over medium heat until transparent.

Add the diced peppers and saute a few minutes more. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Add the petite diced tomatoes, including juice and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for about 45 minutes.

Add the wild rice, bring to a boil and simmer on low for about 40 minutes until the rice is tender but not soft. It should be 'al dente'.

Add the cooked chicken and corn and simmer until heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste (I like lots of pepper) and serve.

Note: Red rice may be slightly more difficult to find than other kinds of rice.  You should be able to find it at Whole Foods or a very well-stocked grocery store. Lundberg is a very good brand and grown in California. If you are lucky enough to find it locally, I highly recommend it. 

You can find Lundberg red rice on Amazon by clicking here.  

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21 comments:

  1. I adore red rice, but never thought of using it in soup...so nutritious and tasty, Susan. Dane is so talented!

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    1. It was delicious in the soup, Angie! I love the taste of red rice now. I hope Dane continues to enjoy drawing :)

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  2. The soup sounds great and I'm glad to hear spring has sprung! Mother Nature has been a little stingy in Philly this year too-enjoy:@)

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    1. Thank you, Lynn! No one is more happy that we are that spring has finally arrived :)

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  3. The soup sounds fantastic and since our weather is still on the chilly side, I need a bowl or two. The artwork by your grandson is terrific and your garden photos are lovely! Hope you have a gloriously warm weekend :)

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    1. It was fantastic, Tricia. Thank you! Fingers crossed the nice weather hangs around for a while :)

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  4. I have to say I Love the gallery:) How wonderful she had them or framed them in the manner they should be framed..priceless works of art♥
    I am glad you had fun:) Your gardens will be as beautiful as they are every year and this soup looks fab.I never knew about red rice being so good for us and I have never tried it..Un "must":) And that bowl:) I love the artisan look of it.
    Bonne journée!

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    1. I love the gallery too ♥ It's so nice to see the boys' individual interests appear as they get a little older :) I never knew about red rice either and it was wonderful in this soup. Thank you, Monique!

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  5. I have to find red rice, I've never eaten and now I'm so curious, this recipe looks so delicious, a hug from warm Italy, spring is arrived !

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    1. I hope you find it, Chiara! I love the taste and texture. xo

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  6. Your soup looks so tasty, Susan! I've never even heard of red rice, but I'll have to look into it. How wonderful that it's even more nutritious than brown rice, which I love.
    The framed gallery of artworks by your grandson is just beautiful! My two youngest of four, are artists, and I have their artwork all over my house.
    Happy Springtime to you!

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    1. Thank you, Kitty! Red rice has a wonderful, nutty flavor and chewy texture that tastes so good. Isn't fun seeing our grandkids art? So much free expression :)

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  7. Love the gallery! I hope Dane continues to enjoy drawing and be talented like his Grandma. Soup sounds great, and I love your garden photos. I played in the garden today, and enjoy seeing the buds everywhere.

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    1. I hope he continues to enjoy it too, Debbie. Thank you! We're having a beautiful day here today, first day in the 70s! It's glorious :)

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  8. Oh I think I can see an artistic soul hidden in that 6-year old small body! The soup is fantastic Susan and I hope spring will stay there for good!

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    1. Our family agrees with you, Katerina, both about the our little artist but also the soup :) They say we are in for a cooler-than-normal 3 months but I don't care for the hot temps anyway so that's fine with me :) Thank you!

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  9. I could use a good bowl of soup today. We've had a dreary gray day but the wall of art created by Dane sure cheers me up. 6 years old? I think you may have an artist in the family!

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  10. dear Susan this looks absolutely delicious ! I love soups !!
    hugs xoxo

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  11. I love soup and this one looks so nice. A whole meal.
    Amalia
    xo

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  12. Great soup. But really great artwork!!!

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  13. Your soup sounds delicious, Susan! It's perfect for this crazy Midwest area, it was 80° yesterday and the heat was on this morning and now it's storming. Great gallery of art work! I will be checking out red rice. Thanks!

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