Chicken, Fennel and Mushroom Soup

This is a great way to enjoy a high protein and low carbohydrate meal. My friends at work can verify this as a very yummy soup! They all came at my lunch with their soup spoons poised and none went away without smacking their lips. Enjoy! This is a delicate flavor that can be served with a light and fruity white wine, and for those bread lovers, a crusty, sweet peasant loaf.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 221 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup half-and-half cream
• ¼ cup cream sherry
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
• 1 bulb fennel, trimmed and thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups sliced crimini mushrooms
• ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
• 3 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons chicken soup base

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides then reduce heat to medium. Add lemon pepper, fennel and cream sherry. Simmer until chicken is cooked through but not dry. When chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set aside to cool.

Step 2

While chicken is cooling, add mushrooms, red pepper, parsley, buttermilk, half and half, water and chicken soup base; stir. Tear chicken into bite sized pieces and return them to the soup. Heat until warmed through but do not boil, mushrooms and peppers should still be firm.