Chicken & Rice Soup

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, patted dry

Salt and pepper

3/4 red onion, chopped

1 pound red-skinned potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cup rice

One 32-ounce container (4 cups) chicken stock

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 avocado—peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/4 cup sour cream

Directions:

In a dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook in the pot until golden on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes; transfer to a work surface. Add three-quarters of the onion to the pot, lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook for 1 minute.

Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and return to the pot with any of its juices. Stir in the rice, chicken broth and 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 18 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the parsley and avocado. Serve with the sour cream and remaining onion.

Thanks Rachel Ray! http://bit.ly/ddPc6E

Chicken & Corn Chowder

Ingredients

1 onion, diced

1 lb red potatoes

(1) 15oz can of chicken broth

2 tablespoons dried parsley

salt and pepper to taste

2 potatoes, peeled and diced

1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels (or 1-15oz can of corn)

1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes

3/4 lb chicken (diced or shredded)

Directions:

1. Cook chicken in frying pan, season with garlic, onion powder, seasoned salt and cumin.

2. Remove chicken from pan, sautee diced onion in pan with olive oil

3. Transfer onion and chicken to large saucepan and add chicken broth, parsley, salt pepper, potatoes and corn. Simmer 15 minutes.

4. Add instant mashed potatoes and stir

Option - fry up a couple of slices of bacon first, then cook chicken and sautee onions in same pan. Then crumble bacon on top of each bowl before serving! yum!

Taco Seasoning

I'm always looking for great ways to save money and eat whole foods! Here's a great way to get away from "partially hydrogenated" & preservatives :)

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons equals 1 package of taco seasoning in an envelope....enjoy!