Broccoli Cheese Chicken Soup...mutated

Broccoli Cheese Chicken Soup...Lots of Protein!

 

Ingredients:
Broccoli (1-2 bunches)
Cauliflower (1/2 - 1 bunch)...I had leftovers from the night before.
Onion 1/3 of an onion chopped
Parsley (handful of fresh) ...this is optional
1 Carrot chopped
1 Celery Stalk chopped
1-2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (You could use rottiserie chicken to be easier.)
1 Box of Chicken Stock
1 Can of Cambells Cheddar Cheese
Salt/Pepper to taste

Directions:
In a pot cover the chicken with the chicken stock (only enough to cover the chicken) and add all of the ingredients except the Cambells Cheddar Cheese (and leave most of the stock to the side for later).  Cook on medium heat until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are soft.  (Usually about 30 minutes depending on the temperature.)  Stirring occassionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.  When the veggies are soft remove half of the broccoli/cauliflower and put into a large bowl.  Remove one of the chicken breasts and lay to the side.  Put the remaing veggies and 1 of the chicken breasts (or 1/2 of 1 if you only used 1 chicken breast) in a blender.  Blend that smooth and add back to the pot with the broth.  Shred or chop the remaing chicken and add back to the pot and mash the brocolli/cauliflower with a potato masher and add back to the pot with the remaining chicken stock (or to the consistency you like).  Add the can of Cambells Cheddar Cheese and stir.  Cook all ingredients until hot and everything is mixed together.  You can add other cheese if you like.  I added 1/2 cup of smoked gouda cheese because that's what I had.  Enjoy!  The purpose here is to blend it to a consistency that's easy to swallow.  If you don't need it smooth you don't have to blend any of these ingredients, I would just chop them really small so they cook down for a soup.