Smoked Chicken Vegetable Soup

My hubs make the BEST smoked chicken in the world and we always freeze a few to use during the really cold months. One of my most popular soups is this smoked chicken veggie!

One smoked chicken (get one at your local BBQ spot to make it easy for you)
1 pkg Knorr Vegetable Soup (or dip) mix - dry package
1 box long grain wild rice
1 can green beans
1 can whole kernel corn (or hominy if you prefer)
1 can diced carrots
1 can small Lima beans
1 can black eyed peas
1 can diced potatoes
1 can English peas
1 can mixed vegetables

This fills my biggest crock pot so if yours is small, just cut this recipe in half or use 2 crocks.

Pull the chicken from the bone (NO skin) and chop into bite sized pieces. Add to crock pot. Add each of canned vegetables (frozen veggies do not work as well for this recipe) including 1/2 the juices of each can.

Blend the vegetable soup mix and long grain rice with 3 cups of water and microwave for 12 minutes. Pour cooked soup mix and rice over the veggies and chicken in your large crock pot and lightly salt and pepper to taste. You may need to add more water to cover mix and make a full pot of soup. Let simmer on low for 6 - 8 hours. Serve with fresh baked bread, corn bread or crackers.

You can substitute smoked pork and it is equally delicious...we have WONDERFUL smoked pork in West Tennessee and just a pound of it makes a fantastic soup! Adjust the veggies to suit what your family likes.

Freezes beautifully and makes GREAT lunches for the following week!