Southwest Chicken Chowder

 I love this time of year when it's cool in the morning and evening- that crisp air makes me crave soup.  This chowder is my absolute favorite soup.  It tastes great, if not better, the next day- so I keep it in the fridge and eat it for lunch all week long.  It's packed with flavor and hearty veggies-so grab the biggest bowl you've got!

 RECIPE

2 TBL butter (or oil)

1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces

1 small onion, chopped

1 TBL cumin

1 large sweet potato, cubed

32 oz chicken broth

1 C. heavy whipping cream

1 can cream style corn

1 can black beans, rinse and drained

1 can chopped green chilies

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

4 tsp chili powder

2 C. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/4 C. instant potato flakes

(cilantro and tortillas chips to garnish)

 * Cut all your veggies and chicken before you do anything else.  In a large pot, saute onion and chicken in butter and cumin.  Cook just until the chicken is browned, but not cooked through.  Add the potatoes and saute 1-2 minutes, then add the chicken broth.  Cover and bring it to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes (you want some resistance when you pierce the potato with a fork.).  Add the cream, corn, beans, chilies, and seasonings.  Bring the soup back to a boil, then add the cheese and stir until it's completely melted.  Mix in the potato flakes and remove from heat.  Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and tortilla chips.

 Tips:

• So a Yam and a Sweet Potato are NOT the same thing.  I was so careful to make sure I got the right one, and sure enough, I grabbed a Yam.  Yams work just fine, I just prefer the taste of a sweet potato.  (The sweet potato has a white flesh.)  Both have a different texture (you'll notice it when you peel and cut them)- they feel dry-like the moisture was sucked out of them.  Here's what the sweet potato looks like (and peeled)
• 
• I grind the green chilies in my mini chopper cause my kids will pick out the "green things".
• I add potato flakes to thicken the soup.  Winco sells potato flakes in bulk so I always keep a little bag in the cupboard when soup season hits.