Last week we were at Allison Pinckney’s Bridal Shower (Allison is the heroine of In Search of Truth, book 3 in the Deadly Force series) and ended with an unexpected dinner being served. Because the men had shown up, and tea sandwiches weren’t enough good, the caterer was going to serve Chicken Taco Soup.
Allison Pinckney ~ “I’m seated at Maddie’s enormous dining room table that seats at least 20 (she lives in a large Charleston mansion) with all of my friends. Including myself, there are now 8 women (Juliet, Sarah, Emilie, Samantha, Maddie, Vivienne, and Charlotte) and 6 men (Zack, Rafe, Pete, Nate, Cain, and Detective Garza) at the party. Maddie’s almost-8-year old daughter Susan and my dog Nicholas Trott finished dinner and are watching TV in the upstairs sitting room.
While the atmosphere is happy and content, the conversation has quieted as we eat our dinner. My fiancé Zack is an incredible cook and the caterer has made his recipe for Chicken Taco Soup. The soup is so good, that even Pete and Detective Garza — who could talk for hours — aren’t saying anything other than “pass more cornbread.”
Once we eat and move into the sitting room, I curl up on a loveseat with Zack and check the time. While most bridal showers only last a few hours, this one has lasted almost all day and the caterer has served more food than I could eat in a week.
Then a waiter appears with glasses of champagne. While I really don’t want to drink anymore, Vivienne is insisting on a champagne toast. Except, with a twist. As we toast, she asks each one of our friends to say something special or hopeful or comforting.
Once Zack and I stand, Juliet and Sarah each offer congratulations and hope for a happy future. Then Charlotte wishes us a life filled with children.
Cain then kisses Charlotte and admits that he hopes we decide to take a honeymoon.
Emilie just asks us to set a date quickly while Detective Garza hopes we have a quiet wedding with no public disturbances.
Samantha and Pete both raise their glasses in a toast that they hope will bring us a peaceful and quiet life. Nate wishes us a life of laughter while Rafe reminds Zack that he is never to forget his first priority–to keep his family safe.
After the glasses are refilled, Maddie offers us a wish of a forever love. Then, finally, Vivienne raises her glass and says, “Remember, even true love needs constant care and attention.”
Once the toasts are over, Zack kisses me and the room claps. My heart is so full of love for this man, and all of my friends, I can barely whisper, “I love you.” And since this is so hard, I make one more wish: I don’t want to cry on my wedding day.
Chicken Taco Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 5 cups chicken broth divided
- 10 ounce can Rotel Tomatoes diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tseaspoon oregano
- 1 pack dry ranch seasoning mix
- 4 ounce cream cheese softened
- salt & pepper to taste
- Tortilla chips & Avocado slices garnish
Instructions
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In a stockpot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Sauté the onions and garlic for about 4 minutes. Add the chicken breasts and sauté until they breasts until they are cooked all the way through. Using a wooden spoon and some of the chicken broth, deglaze the pan as you cook the chicken.
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Put the chicken and any juices into a slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients–except for the cream cheese–and stir well. Cover and cook for 8 hours on low (4 on high) With one hour to go before finishing, take the chicken out and shred the meat. Return the meat to the crock pot, cover, and cook for the last hour.
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Once the soup is done, scoop out 1 cup of broth and stir it in a bowl with the cream cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and return to the crock pot. Heat for another 15 minutes and serve with tortilla chips and avocado slices.
