8.29.2008

Taco Soup

Phew!  That's about it.  I am wiped out.  We just got back from a mini-camping trip with Nina (her first!) and I am exhausted!  We only went for one night, about ten miles down the highway to a local campsite.  Nina did alright, but between her flailing around in her sleep (how many elbows to the face can one mama take?), hourly train drive-bys, Nina's constant wakings because of all the weird noises and the 5:30 wake-up call, we are done!  I was planning something a little more fancy for today's post, but girls, I got nothin!

Instead I thought I would share the recipe for one of my favorite stews, because, coincidentally, we had it for lunch today when we got back from our sleepless-night-in-the-woods.  With the fall weather on the way, and the crisp and cool air, this Taco Soup is so good!  If you like Mexican food, this will be a big hit in your house!  Plus, it seems to get better as it bubbles away on the stove, so you really can't mess it up.

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!  I will be back on Tuesday with some more projects that were supposed to get done this week...

Taco Soup
1 1/2 lb. chicken breast, cooked and cubed or shredded
1 medium onion, diced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 cans (15 oz. each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (28 oz. each) diced tomatoes, liquid included (I use Muir Glen fire roasted...adds a little kick!)
2 cans (15 oz. each) chicken stock (or more if you prefer a soup rather than a thick stew)
1 (8 oz.) block cheddar cheese, cubed (I use 2% cheese and it takes a little longer to melt but tastes great!)
1 packet dry ranch dressing
1 packet taco seasoning
1 1/2 Tablespoons salt
5-10 dashes of Tabasco sauce

Cook the chicken on the stove or the grill, if you are feeling really fancy.  Let cool and dice or shred into bite-sized pieces.  Saute the diced onion in a large soup pan until soft and translucent, 5-10 minutes.  Add all the other ingredients, including chicken, leaving the cheese until last.  Simmer 1-2 hours until cheese cubes melt and the flavors blend together.  Check for seasoning and add more salt, pepper and Tabasco as desired.  Serve with tortilla chips.  Yum!

Serves: 8.


44 comments:

Christy said...

How exciting to be the first one to comment today!

This soup looks and sounds delicious. One of the reasons I love the cooler weather so much is because I can pull out all my soup recipes. You can't beat a warm bowl of soup on a chilly day! I'm always looking for good soup recipes so thanks for sharing.

Have a great weekend!
~Christy

Lisa said...

Yummy! Thanks for sharing! I'm alway's looking for a good soup recipe. I'm so ready for the fall. Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

Yummy, gotta love comfort food.

Have a great long weekend!

Tausha said...

I have made taco soup a lot! MY kids-they don't like it so much-I love it, so I make it anyway. I tell them they can eat it or starve They usually starve! ANyway-I am going to use your recipe-what a great idea to add a ranch packet! Yummy!~it's supposed to be cold here on Monday-This is definately on the menu!
SOrry about the camping trip-that is so why I don't camp-EVER! I tell my husband I am allergic to tents-he just rolls his eyes!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

This looks great...I will have to try it....love mexican food....actually I love most foods!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Lisa

Unknown said...

I think I just found what am having for dinner. Yummy Have a great weekend!

Lisa & Gerald said...

mmmmm it sounds so yummy Im going to try to make some Thanks for sharing!

Better luck next time camping!
She's still little!
Hugs!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

Oh I'm so going to try that!!! I wonder if you could do it in the crockpot to be totally lazy? :)

Screaming Meme said...

Bumble Bee,ftgng
I want Mexican food! Some other blog had fajitas...now this! I'll be saving this recipe!

Anonymous said...

MMM looks good!

Have a nice 3-day weekend.

Victoria said...

LOL we have been planning to take a family camping trip but hubs is scared of exactly what you described here! :)

We love taco soup at our house!

Meghan said...

I took my son for his & my first camping experience back in July.
Oh!
My!
Gosh!
I think I have 2 black eyes & his feet kicked me about 3 katrillion times.

Amber said...

Oh, I want the cool crisp air! I love the fall in Colorado!!! It's still in the 100's here. :/ Boo! I love soup & I have some favorite soup recipes, but I can't bring myself to make them in the heat of the summer. Maybe in December. ;)

Shell in your Pocket said...

You can make a cup of soup...look great! The cut apples and white bowl...make it! It always sounds like such an adventure and "one" with nature to camp, however, when reality hits and the off spray is pulled out and no sleep...it loses it's thrill quickly! Have a sleepful Labor Day weekend!
-Sandy Toes

Jyl @ MommyGossip said...

First of all, this recipe will be a close second to sex for my husband. Seriously, he loves this stuff and I have never made it for him. Homemade blueberry muffins and taco soup all in one day??? It may be too much for him to handle.

Second... because I accidentally tossed Kingsolver's The Bean Trees book down the garbage with the rest of my trash while at Micky D's the other day (oopsies!), I picked up the one I was going to read next: Pigs in Heaven. I am only a couple of chapters into it, but man can that woman write. I was cracking up after one page. Try it out. Let me know if you stumble onto another good one.

Shannon said...

I've bookmarked the recipe and will be trying it! I made an enchilada soup recently with homemade corn tortilla chips, but it was a touch too spicy for the kids. We all loved the chips, but thought we might try a different soup with them next time- so you're timing is perfect ( :

Unknown said...

This looks like a great twist to the taco soup that I make. I haven't had any since last winter!
Soup is one thing that makes cooler weather more welcoming!

Chris said...

My gosh. Will it ever stop with you? I love all your posts! I just copied down this recipe, and I can't wait to make it! Thank you!

The Berry's Patch said...

Oh, I love this recipe! I have one similar but without the ranch. It has to taste even better with ranch. :-)

Twice as Nice said...

This soup sounds yummy. I love soups of all kinds. I also love making something in 1 pot!

It looks like you are new to blog land too. Your little girl is darling!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

I've made this before with ground beef, but I bet it's delicious with chicken, too!

AngiDe said...

Mmmm, I LOVE taco soup! Can't wait to try out your recipe!

abeachcottage said...

oooh sounds lovely, I'm going to make it, it's cool and rainy here so a perfect lunch

Sarah

Carry Grace said...

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get any sleep in the woods either.

This soup looks wonderful!

Kristen said...

That sounds so delicious!! I love yummy fall recipes like that! Sorry camping did not go well. It's not a favorite thing of mine to do, but it has gotten more enjoyable as the boys have gotten older!

Denise C said...

OH yum!!! I will be making this recipe very soon!!!
Sorry your "night-in-the-woods" wasn't all that is was cracked up to be! Enjoy your nice, warm, comfy, QUIET home tonight!
Blessings,
Denise C

Lisa & Gerald said...

Hey Carrie!
Im going to try making the soup this weekend Im going to buy everything can't wait to try it!
After I make it I will let you know if my family likes it! I know for sure I will! heheheheh

Free Art Printables said...

HI Carrie, for some odd reason, you e-mails always get returned to me! I am going to have to double check that address.. you can reupholster your own chairs...It just depends on the chair. Send me a pic and I can give you a direction maybe...:) Jen

Beth at Aunties said...

Camping with little ones can be exhausting... yet a real memory builder. Thanks for posting the delicious looking and sounding recipe.

Have a restful week end!
Beth

Jo said...

Carrie,
You are just too cute ~ you're making me giggle! I'm the same way with projects. Confession ~ I've ordered tins and am copying your project. My spices were in glass jars that were a tad too small so I had leftovers that I had to store ~ huge pain!
Back to you ~ I ordered just one, the car decal. It sounds like your two pack is a better deal because I've placed two separate orders (I'll post a picture of my SUV for you later) which cost me double the shipping. The decal is sandwiched between two pieces of paper (they include directions on how to adhere the decal~wicked easy!)You peel back the paper and place it where ever you'd like. It's like a super sticky sticker. It is a flat mat finish. I just ordered a large one off etsy to put on our glass shower door in our master bathroom. I'm thinking of ordering my daughter and son's monograms to place on items of theirs ~ you can NEVER have enough monograms! I also ordered a water bottle koozie from this company. It's great because my desk doesn't get wet. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Enjoy the long weekend,
Jo

Jo said...

Carrie ~
My pleasure! This is one of the many great things about blogs ... sharing fun ideas and meeting sweet people!
Jo

sweetfunkyvintage said...

That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!
missy

AngiDe said...

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Angie
Nana's Box

Eloise said...

Yum! That sounds delicious. We are unfortunately still a month or two away from soup weather here, but I am going to hang on to that recipe and fix it to celebrate when fall arrives in Texas! Thanks for sharing.

Christina said...

Oh, we love taco soup! So yummy, and w/fall coming up, it will appear more on our table.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on Chloe's birthday post. She so enjoyed reading all of "her" comments.

You have sure gotten some really great bargains lately. Love your table.

Sandy said...

Yummy! It's def. time for some new Fall recipes! Happy Labor Day!
Sandy

Lisa & Gerald said...

mmmmmmmmmmmm my house smells so good Im making the Taco Soup right now I can't wait until super time! Thanks for sharing your yummy recipes with us all

Anonymous said...

Oh yumm yumm! Now isnt camping just a BLAST?;)

cherry said...

Ohhh I do this recipe too but I use ground beef...I will sooo be trying the chicken. Dh loves chicken. Sorry about the camping trip..get some rest my dear. Happy Labor Day! cherry

Sibi said...

Your blog is just darling! I have this recipe and it is a family favorite! Hope you all had a blessed holiday weekend!

Blessings!

Rick said...

We gave up camping a long time ago. Our last experience, which ended up being a camp site below a four lane highway, was less than desirable. The soup looks good - when's supper? I'll be over.

Lacy said...

Lovin me some taco soup and always love a new version. I cant wait to try it. I hope you are rested from your overnight adventure. :)

Melissa said...

The taco soup recipe looks great. I can't cook, but this looks like something I might be able to tackle.

Thank you for sharing.

Melissa

Lisa & Gerald said...

Guess what im making today i lost my recipe so i had to fish for it just now on your blog hehehe
I hope you enjoy your day!
it cold and windy today with lots of dampness