If you were ever wondering how I stay healthy with all the bacon, chocolate, cheese and sugary foods that I make, its meals like this right here. In between eating all the indulgent foods that I love I’m all about finding a balance. So, typically the way my brain works is “If I eat a brownie why even bother working out.” Well, now I’ve chosen to change that way of thinking and replace it with “If I want that brownie today I’m going to take a walk.” There are no excuses to be made because it’s raining outside, then the plan switches and my toddler and I turn on the music and have a dance party right in our living room. You wouldn’t believe the work out you can get just by dancing and being silly, it’s so good for your mood too. The dance parties never fail at putting a smile on my face when I see my little ones adorable new moves. So, lots of healthy veggies in between the chocolate chip cookies, lots of dance parties after eating bacon mac n’ cheese and I’ve found my balance. Just remember that life’s about enjoying and savoring the good foods, but knowing that too much of anything can be a bad thing for us.
Now, about those dance parties, I must tell you we currently dance to the sound track from the DreamWorks movie “Home.” Never have I enjoyed the music in a children’s movie so much before. Fire up that crock pot get your soup going and as the character Tucci would say “Get your Boov on”. Even better idea, get some buttery pop corn and watch this movie that I highly recommend regardless of your age. Just a fair warning, you will cry and laugh a lot all in those ninety minutes if your anything like my emotional self.
This Light Crock Pot Cream of Chicken and Rice Soup is filled with garlic slices, carrots, celery, thyme and a little lemon. Finishing at the end with a splash of heavy cream to balance all the flavors. Top with chopped parsley if desired for a soup that will fill you up and leave you feeling great. Maybe even leave you feeling less guilty about that cookie you ate for breakfast while running out the door. 😉
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small onion or half large onion, chopped
- 4 large carrots peeled and chopped
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- 8 garlic cloves sliced
- 3-4 springs of thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 2- 32 ounce containers of chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked rice of choice
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- Fresh parsley roughly chopped
- Turn crock pot to high heat
- Add chopped onion, carrot, celery, garlic slices, chicken breasts, thyme, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest and 2 containers of chicken broth
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or low for 5-6)
- Cook rice according to package adding ½ teaspoon of salt and 1 bay leaf to the water while cooking
- Remove the chicken from crock pot and shred with fork
- Add shredded chicken back into the pot
- Add cream to crock pot and warm till heated through
- Turn crock pot to warm setting
- Remove bay leaf and add cooked rice to the soup
- Serve with fresh chopped parsley (optional)
RE: Light Crock pot Cream of Chicken and Rice Soup
Do you shred the chicken after cooking?
Yes! 🙂