BEST. EVER. Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup


7 strips bacon, diced plus more for garnish (I use turkey bacon)
1 whole shallot, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 whole green onions chopped, plus more for garnish
3 T all purpose flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 tsp Worcestershire
3/4 cup sour cream (or 1/2 cup light sour cream + 1/4 cup nonfat greek yogurt)
1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
3 whole medium to large russet potatoes, baked, cubed with skin on
3 whole medium to large red potatoes, baked, cubed with skin on
optional toppings: sour cream, sliced green onion, grated cheddar cheese, bacon crumbles


Directions:
1 Heat a dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat and cook diced bacon until crisp, but not burnt. Remove bacon and drain (on paper towel) all but about 1 tbs of bacon drippings from the pot. Add the shallot and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and green onions and cook 2 more minutes. 
2. Stir in the flour and mix well. Add the bacon, salt, basil, oregano, thyme and pepper. Stir in the milk, chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce and heat through until thickened. Add the sour cream and cheddar cheese and stir to dissolve. Add the cubed potatoes and heat through. Season to taste. 

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

I found this yummy recipe on Pinterest and it was really good! http://rita-may-recipes.blogspot.com

2 chicken breasts, still frozen
1 can Rotel tomatoes (I didn't have so I used 1 can diced tomatoes and 1 small can of green chilies)
1 can corn kernels, do not drain
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 T cumin
1 t chili powder
1 t onion powder
1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese
_________
Put the chicken in the crock pot.
Top with the tomatoes, corn, drained and rinsed beans,
ranch dressing, cumin, onion and chili powders,
stir to combine then top with the cream cheese.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring one or twice
 to blend in the cheese.
Shred the chicken into large pieces
and serve over rice.
I added some toppings: avocado, green onion and cilantro.
Serves 4

Chicken Noodle Soup.

We are NOT soup fans. So when I say that we LOVE this soup and my kids ask for seconds and thirds, I mean this is really really good! I got this recipe from here: http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/the_ladys_chicken_noodle_soup/  (Paula Deen recipe)
But I changed it a little to make it easier to me.
I usually make this when we have a leftover rotisserie chicken; or the last time I just boiled two chicken breasts in the water.



Photo courtesy of PaulaDeen.Com

 

Ingredients Add to grocery list

4   bay leaves
3   chicken bouillon cubes
1   onion, peeled and diced (I sometimes just do 2 T of the dried stuff)
1 teaspoon Paula Deen Lemon Pepper Seasoning (Just regular is fine)
3   cloves garlic, minced
1   2 1/2 to 3-pound fryer (chicken), cut up
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 1/2 quart water
kosher salt and pepper to taste

For Step 2:
2 cups sliced carrots
2 cups sliced celery, with leafy green tops (I rarely have celery on hand but it was still good without)
2 1/2 cups uncooked egg noodles
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (I never use fresh, I usually use 1 to 2 T)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional) (NOT optional!!!! THis makes it sooo good)
3/4 cup heavy cream (optional) (I usually just use regular milk)
1/3 cup cooking sherry (Sometimes I put 2T of a vinegar wine I have on hand)
1 cup sliced mushrooms
Fresh parsley (I never use fresh)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
Paula Deen Seasoned Salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
crusty french bread, for serving

Directions

What I do is add everything together instead of the chicken, noodles, cream, and parm cheese.  I simmer it for 20 minutes. 
    Note: If you are using a rotisserie chicken then boil in just the water and seasonings for 30 minutes or more. 
Then remove the Bay leaves.
Bring to a boil 
Add chicken
I add the noodles (I make them)
Reduce heat or remove from heat and add the cream/milk and Parm cheese 


For the stock: add all ingredients to a soup pot. Cook until chicken is tender, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and set aside to cool. Remove and discard bay leaves and onion. You should have approximately 3 quarts of stock. When chicken is cool enough to touch, pick bones clean, discarding bones, skin, and cartilage. Set chicken aside. 

For the soup: bring stock back to a boil, add carrots, and cook for 3 minutes. Add celery and continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Add egg noodles and cook according to directions on package. When noodles are done, add chicken, mushrooms, parsley, sherry and rosemary. Add Parmesan and cream, if using. Cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning, if needed, by adding seasoning salt and pepper. Enjoy along with a nice hot crusty loaf of French bread.