Soup Recipe

There have been a few requests for the Ward Award Winning Soup recipe. I was hesitant to put it on here because I wanted to try to tweak it a little more, but I don't know when I'll get to making it again, so I'll post it and let you tweak it as you may. (Thanks again to Shauna G. for the original recipe)

Chicken Queso Soup

3-4 C. cooked chicken, shredded
(I did 5 smaller breast portions, probably the equivalent of 3 big ones in the crock-pot with 3 C. of chicken broth (3 C. water + 3 t. bullion) -- for about 4 hours and it shredded right up)

After shredding the chicken, add it back to the broth (which should now be 4+ cups of broth with the extra juices from the chicken. So if you do your chicken a different way you need about 4 1/2 C. of chicken broth).

Then add:
16 oz. can Mexican corn (rinsed)
16 oz. can black beans (rinsed)
4 oz. can diced green chilies (with juices)
10.75 oz. can Campbell's Cream of Potato Soup (I want to try leaving this out and see if I still like it. It would save on money and be healthier without it and I think it would still be good. If someone tries it without, let me know, although you wouldn't have anything to compare it to. . .)
1/3 C. snipped fresh cilantro (plus more for the very end)
1 envelope Taco Seasoning

Let that simmer for a while. I did it for a few more hours in the crock pot.

About an hour before serving, remove 1-2 C. of the broth into a pan and add 1 1/2 C. water, plus 1 C. of sour cream (I used low-fat and it was still good) and a 14-16 oz. jar of queso. I used Pace Mexican 4 Cheese - because it looked the most real (not bright orange) and it was the cheapest. Blend that all together and then add it back to the rest of the soup. Sprinkle with additional fresh cilantro before serving.

You can garnish with fresh avocado. I didn't, but I think it would be very yummy. I also thought fresh chopped tomato would be a nice touch, but didn't do that either. It tastes great with tortilla chips for dipping, but is also amazing (and much healthier) without. Oh man, now I want some. Really bad.