SWEET POTATO AND QUINOA CHICKEN SOUP

This sweet potato and quinoa chicken soup is so nutrient dense it is insane! Check out my list below shows all of the vitamins and minerals that it contains. The recipe is super easy if made in a crock pot and it stores well.

      Health benefits

• Vitamins A, C, B-6, E. B-2
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Manganese 
• Folate
• Zinc
• Copper
• Phosphorus
• Choline
• Fiber
• Protein ( all essential amino acids)
• Calcium

      Ingredients

• 1 1/2 yellow containers of minced uncooked quinoa
• 1 can of black beans
• 6 yellow containers of raw cubed sweet potatoes ( 2 medium)
• 3 green containers of fresh spinach
• 1/2 green container of diced onion
• 1/2 green container of diced bell pepper
• 1/2 green container of diced green onion
• 1 1/2 lbs of diced chicken breast ( 6 red containers)
• 1 can of low sodium diced canned fire roasted tomatoes 
• 5 cups of low sodium chicken broth
• 2-3 T of chili powder to taste 
• 2 Tsp Himalayan salt
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 T ground black pepper
• 1 T onion powder
• 1/2 T cumin
• Hot pepper sauce to taste ( I probably used 1/4 cup) 
• Cheddar cheese (optional)

Note: Anyone that doesn't use 21 day fix containers here are the equivalents: Green= 1 1/4 Cup, Red =3/4 cup, Yellow: 1/2 cup

       Preparation 

Cook: 3-5 hours in crock pot on high

Servings: 7 servings 

Serving size: 1.5 cups

21 Day Fix: 1 Red, 1 Green, 2 Yellow, 1/2 blue (optional)

1. Spay the bottom of you crockpot with coconut oil spray
2. Add to crockpot chicken, beans, quinoa* (make sure you rinse), sweet potatoes, spinach, onion,  peppers, tomatoes, seasonings *, pepper sauce, and chicken broth. 
3. Allow to cook on high until potatoes are tender ( approx. 4 hours) 
4. Serve warm and top with raw green onions and 1/2 blue container of cheddar cheese (optional)

*Note: I really just estimated what I used in seasonings so feel free to add more or less to your liking. Also, I used a seasoned pack of quinoa that I had so if you have some seasoned quinoa you can use that just make sure in the ingredients in only contains quinoa and spices with sea salt. If you don't have seasoned quinoa you can use regular just MAKE SURE YOU RINSE IT in a small strainer first or your soup will have a bitter taste. 

So I completely understand that no one wants to think about pumpkins right now.. this needs to be tropical chili to remind us of summer not fall! Anyway, I was craving something to really hit the spot during 21 Day Fix and boy did this do it! I had my best friend come over, who isn't on the fix and try it. No joke.....She licked the bowl. I also sent a bowl to my other friend who is a health and fitness fanatic and he really enjoyed the texture and the taste as well. I got the base for the recipe from Pinterest and made some changes to my liking! Feel free to spice it up and make it your own.  

Serves: approximately 6-8 servings
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
Time: 4-6 hours on low in crockpot
21 day fix approved: 1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow,1/2 blue (optional) 

Ingredients

• 1 lb of lean ground turkey ( I used 93% lean 7% fat)
• Approx 3/4 C. chopped onion ( give or take make this your own)
• 1 bell pepper chopped (any color will do)
• 1 small hot banana pepper
• 1 large can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 can of tomato paste
• 1 can of great northern beans 
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 1 can of black beans
• 1/2 cup of frozen sweet corn
• 1 can of pumpkin puree ( not pumpkin pie filling!)
• 2-3 cloves of minced garlic
• 2 T. chili powder ( I added much more than this but I like mine spicy
• 1/2 tsp of cumin
• Hot sauce ( I used cholula)

Instructions

Place all of ingredients in crock pot on low for 4-6 hours. I cooked mine for about 6 hours. Serve warm. Top with a dollop low fat cottage cheese (this is what I used) or plain low fat greek yogurt and chopped green onions. Enjoy!