santa fe chicken fajita soup {recipe}

Normally, mid-May isn't the time I'd be posting a fantastic soup recipe, but its been unseasonably cold in north Alabama. Yesterday {and today!} are downright chilly. Totally soup time!

And this soup is deeeeeeelicious. Promise!

I'd say this serves 4-5 people and took me about 20 minutes to make.

Ingredients:
 - 2 packages Tyson's Grilled/Ready chicken breasts
 - 30oz of chicken broth
 - 1 small green pepper
 - 1 large red onion
 - 16oz package of Velvetta
 - 1 package Taco Bell Fajita Seasoning Mix
 - 1 package of cream cheese

First, dice up your green pepper and red onion.

Toss those in a skillet with some olive oil. Turn the heat on high to caramelize. Add a couple dashes of garlic powder for flavor.

In the meantime, cube up the Velvetta and soften the cream cheese.

When the onions/peppers are done, add the Velvetta, cream cheese, and chicken broth to the pan. Make sure to turn the heat down to medium-low or the cheese will burn just as fast as it melts.

Once your mixture is smooth {see above}, add the Tyson's chicken {cubed} and the fajita seasoning.

Mix thoroughly and allow to simmer. Then enjoy!

Other tips:

•   If you prefer, you can also make this with two boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of the Tyson's chicken. {I like the Tyson's because its simpler.}  Just throw the chicken breasts in with your onion/green pepper combo so they have time to cook.  
• This soup isn't super spicy but if you're sensitive to spicy foods, maybe think about only using half of the Taco Bell seasoning.
• If its a tad too bold or thick, add a little more chicken broth.

Oh so delicious! J.B. likes his with some tortilla chips crumbled over it. I like mine with some of my mom's homemade bread.
We curled up last night with our bowls and a good book.


Speaking of, here's what I've been reading lately:

The Help is one of those fantastic-stay-up-all-night-and-read-because-you-can't-put-it-down books. And just as I was googling for this image to share with you, I learned that they've been filming for the movie. It's set to be released in August, starring Emma Stone.

Something Borrowed has been on my "to read" list for a couple years now, but as the movie came out a couple of weeks ago, I knew I had to read it asap before I saw the film. And wow, so good! Something Blue is the book that follows - I think I might have liked it even better! Since reading these, I'm officially addicted to Emily Griffin. Also read Baby Proof {good} and starting Heart of the Matter today. I like how conversational her writing is. Makes for a quick and interesting read!
p.s. Something Borrowed {the movie} was great too. Always love John Krasinski {I'm a sucker for the sardonic nice guy}. And the screenplay was a great adaptation of the book, always a plus.

Hopefully this will make your drizzly Monday a little happier!