How to Make a Simple, Inexpensive Leek, Mushroom, and Chicken or Turkey Soup (Diabetic Friendly)

This hearty soup is a little different, inexpensive to make, and great on a cold winter night. The soup also is a good way to use up a bit of leftover cooked chicken or turkey. Full of vegetables, fiber, and lean protein, the soup is loaded with nutrition and great if you're on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy." We like the thick soup for dinner with a salad, and leftovers reheat well in the microwave for quick lunches. Enjoy!

How to Make a Simple, Inexpensive Leek, Mushroom, and Chicken or Turkey Soup (Diabetic Friendly)

Leek, Mushroom, and Chicken or Turkey Soup -- Makes 2+ Quarts

2-3 teaspoons of canola oil

2 medium leeks, trimmed, washed well, and chopped (green and white parts)

8 ounces of sliced mushrooms (I use white, button mushrooms)

1 cup of carrot shreds

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of salt, plus more to taste

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning

8 - 10 cups of chicken or turkey broth (preferably homemade, if you have it)

1 cup of brown or "texmati" rice (I use texmati, which a mixture of brown and red rice,

rye, and barley, but brown rice will work fine)

2-3 cups of chopped cooked chicken or turkey

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat and add the leeks. Saute the leeks for 5-10 minutes until they reduce down and soften a bit. Add the mushrooms, carrot shreds, garlic powder, half of the salt, the pepper, and the poultry seasoning to the pot and saute everything together for 5-10 minutes or until the vegetables soften a bit. Add the chicken or turkey broth to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the rice and remaining salt to the pot and stir everything well. Turn down the heat to medium-low, and cover the pot. Let the soup cook for 45-60 minutes or until the rice has softened and the soup has thickened. Stir in the chopped chicken or turkey and let the soup cook another 20 minutes or so to blend the flavors. You can add more broth or water when you add the meat if the soup is thicker than you'd like it to be. Taste the soup and add a bit more salt if necessary (remember that the broth is likely to have salt in it, so taste the soup before adding more salt).

How to Make a Simple, Inexpensive Leek, Mushroom, and Chicken or Turkey Soup (Diabetic Friendly)