Cajun Chicken & Rice Soup

We enjoy this comforting, spicy soup frequently in our household. It's really good served with hot corn bread.

Cajun Chicken & Rice Soup

Average Rating: 4.95238

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Cook: 2 hours
YIELD: 8 servings (3 quarts).

Ingredients

  • 1 stewing chicken (about 6 pounds)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 12 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Instructions

  • 1. Place chicken in a large stockpot; cover with water. Add the bay leaves, salt, poultry seasoning and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until chicken is tender.
  • 2. Remove chicken from broth; set aside to cool. Strain broth, discarding seasonings. Set aside 6 cups broth for the soup; save remaining broth for another use. Skim fat from soup broth. When cool enough to handle, remove chicken from bones; discard bones. Shred and set aside 3 cups chicken (save remaining chicken for another use).
  • 3. In a large stockpot, saute onion and celery in butter until onion is crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, orange juice, cilantro, seasonings and reserved broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the rice, beans and reserved chicken; heat through.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 245 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 709mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges:
2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.