I apologize for taking a little hiatus from the blog for the last couple of weeks. I have no valid excuse other than life got in the way. Out-of-town guests, crazy busy weekends, and a couple of recipe failures contributed to my absence. However, I had a productive day yesterday and got three recipes in the SBD pipeline.
Fall is in full force in Atlanta with chilly mornings and beautiful warm days. As the temperature drops, I put my Le Creuset through the ringer, and it hardly gets put up before I’m dragging it out again for a soup or stew of some kind.
Chicken soup ranks at the top of my favorites list, and I’ve created a variation of this classic soup for today’s post. Typically, I stew a chicken, making the base stock for soup in the process. Celery, onions, carrots, and potatoes, complete my usual version of this soup.
For this recipe, I wanted to infuse some fall flavors, so I added butternut squash and kale. To finish the soup, I added some cream and nutmeg.
If you’re like me, there’s nothing like a bowl of soup to warm your soul on a cool autumn night.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken
4 teaspoons salt, separated
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups cubed (1 inch) butternut squash
3 packed cups roughly chopped kale
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Instructions
1. Bring a large stock pot of water to a boil. Transfer chicken to pot. Add 2 teaspoons salt, thyme, and bay leaves. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes. Remove chicken to cool. When cooled, skin, bone, and chop chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Add onions and garlic and saute for 4 to 5 minutes until onions are becoming translucent.
3. Strain cooking broth through a fine sieve and skim off excess fat. Measure 3 quarts of stock and return to stock pot. Bring stock to a boil and add onions, garlic, and butternut squash. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until squash is easily pierced with a fork.
4. Add chicken, kale, tomatoes, and 2 teaspoons salt. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until kale is still bright green but tender. Add cream, nutmeg, and pepper and stir to combine. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and ladle into bowls. Garnish with with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
https://southernboydishes.com/2014/10/21/chicken-soup-with-butternut-squash-and-kale/You may also like:
- Roasted Cauliflower and Fennel Soup - November 8, 2015
- Smoky and Sweet Turkey Chili{+ a Cookbook Giveaway} - October 27, 2015
- Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Stew with Turkey Sausage - October 16, 2015
NEVER apologize for taking the time you need to handle your own life! But we’re always glad when you’re back — especially with this wicked soup! I swear, there is no better fall flavor combo than butternut squash and kale, is there?!
I wonder (all the world over) how many types of chicken soup there are. This one certainly deserves a prominent place on that list. GREG
Glad you are back with your food porn, Bill! As usual, stunning photo, my friend.
I am loving your addition of nutmeg into this flavor rich soup!
Life sometimes gets in the way of blogging, doesn’t it? That’s a good thing — blogs are fun, but other stuff sometimes has to come first. Anyway, you’ve returned with a great recipe. Wonderful way to use squash! And chicken. And all the other great stuff you’ve included in this dish. Really nice — thanks.
Wow Bill this looks so comforting and fantastic. A bowl of this right now would be heavenly!
Thank you, Jocelyn! It’s a great soup for a cold night!
Glad you’ve just been busy. Loving this soup recipe. Especially since I am in the throes of squash induced mania. I love the way the kale pops in these photos Bill. Happy Fall.
Thank you, Katie! It’s just been really busy few months and I’m constantly trying to find balance. 🙂 Great to see your comment and I hope you’re having a great fall!