This is my all time favorite recipe, partly because it makes the
menfolk rant and rave(and I often have Jeff's police friends over
requesting it), and also because any toddler will scarf it down and its
loaded with veggies. I made it tonight with fat free half and half,
since Jeff is on a new diet for his heart, and it didnt seem to make
much of a difference! So if you wanna lower the calories, try that:)
Ingredients:
the meat from one de-boned rotisserie chicken (equaling about 3 cups shredded)
6 cups chicken broth
1 heaping 1/2 cup scoop of long grain rice (not instant)
2 zucchini, halved and sliced about 1/4 in. thick
2 celery stalks, sliced the same
2 medium carrots, sliced thinly
4 green onions, sliced thinly.
For the Roux:
6 tbs butter
6 tbs flour
2 cups half n half
Bring the chicken broth to a boil, then add the rice. Gently boil for 10 minutes
Add the zucchini, carrots and celery. Cook on medium for 10 minutes.
In the meantime work on your roux.
Melt
the butter in a large saucepan (preferably one with sides) and whisk in
the flour. Keep stirring and let it start to turn a peanut color and
thicken. Slowly add the half and half, and intermittently whisk it until
it becomes the consistency of a thick alfredo sauce. Add about a cup of
the soup broth to think it a little, and then add the whole thing to
the soup once the vegetables are soft.
Add the chicken and the green onions and stir until warmed throughout:)
**Side
note. There are a few variations as far as how thick you want it. If
you want a true soup, then keep the lid on the pot the whole time you
are cooking the rice/veggies. If you like it a little thicker (like we
do:) leave the lid off the pot for either the rice 10 min, or the
veggies 10 min.
This should feed your whole family plus
leftovers..unless you have any eaters like my husband who goes back for
3rds...If you shred your chicken ahead of time (or even cut your
veggies too) this soup doesnt take too long to make. It is EXCELLENT
with leftover turkey from thanksgiving as well.
Also, it freezes really well.