CHICKEN CASSOULET SOUP

Chicken Cassoulet Soup image

After my sister spent a year in France as an au pair, I created this lighter, easier version of traditional French cassoulet for her. It uses chicken instead of the usual duck.-Bridget M. Klusman, Otsego, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 6h35m

Yield 7 servings (2-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
5 cups water
1/2 pound cubed cooked chicken
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup dry vermouth or chicken broth
5 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
4 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers, optional
1/2 pound bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Additional fresh thyme, optional

Steps:

In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain., Transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Add the water, chicken, beans, carrots, onion, vermouth, bouillon, garlic, thyme, fennel and if desired, lavender. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until heated through., Divide among bowls; sprinkle with bacon. If desired, top with additional fresh thyme.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 494 calories, Fat 23g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 1821mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 34g protein.