Hearty and Healthy. . . White Bean Chicken Kale Soup

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I do not like winter. I do not like the cold, the shorter days, the dark evenings. The only thing I do like about this time of year is being about to wear boots and cooking and creating large one pot meals. And if I can do that in the crock pot, that's even better. Recently I wanted something warm and hearty for a cold, rainy day. I combined two of my favorite chili/soup recipes and came up with this White Bean Chicken Kale Soup. It was definitely good enough to share with you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="7247" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

White Bean Chicken Kale Soup

Ingredients/Directions

1 tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

1 lb. Italkian Chicken sausage, removed from casing if necessary

3 Boneless Organic Chicken Breasts

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced into rounds

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

4 or more cloves garlic, thinly sliced

Kosher salt

2 Tsp Cumin

2 Tsp Chili Powder

Freshly ground black pepper

4 c. low-sodium chicken broth

1 tbsp. Italian seasoning

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1 bunch kale, ribs removed, leaves torn into 2" pieces

2 (15.5-oz.) cans white beans, rinsed and drained

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

In a crock pot, drizzle olive oil in the bottom and layer chicken breasts on top. Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Season with the spices and cover with broth.
Add the cooked sausage and drained beans and kale.
Cook on high 4- 41/2 hours. (You can also do this in a dutch oven on the stove, cooking the chicken and sauteeing the vegetables and allow to simmer approximately 30 minutes on the stove).
Before serving, take a large spoon and seperate the chicken breasts into bite size chunks, or remove and shred.
Season with salt and pepper (I added a little more cumin) and serve with a grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Sooooo Good!!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="7248" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="7251" img_size="large"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You know I wouldn't share this with you if it wasn't good! Bookmark this, take a screen shot or print it. It's a good one to have on one of our coooooold days!