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Mexican Chicken and Chayote Soup





Yields
Makes 4 servings

Notes: Chayote is a pale green, pear-shaped vegetable with mild flavor; use zucchini as a substitute.

 1 chayote (12 oz.) or 12 ounces zucchini (see notes)
 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
 1 white onion (6 oz.), peeled and chopped
 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
 2 fresh jalapeño chiles (1 1/2 oz. total), rinsed, stemmed, and thinly sliced
 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
 4 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth
 1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes
 1 can (15 oz.) garbanzos, rinsed and drained
 4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves (6 oz. each), rinsed
 1 firm-ripe avocado (8 oz.), pitted, peeled, and sliced
 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  Lime wedges
  Salt
  Hot cooked rice
Step 1
1

Rinse chayote and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (you can cut through edible seed).

Step 2
2

Set a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat. When hot, add oil, onion, garlic, chiles, and cumin; stir until onion begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes (including juice), garbanzos, and the chayote; bring to a boil.

Step 3
3

Add chicken in a single layer, pushing down to submerge in liquid. Return to a boil, then cover pan tightly and remove from heat. Let stand until chicken is no longer pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), 15 to 17 minutes. With tongs, lift chicken out. Return soup to a boil over high heat; if chayote is not tender, simmer, covered, until tender when pierced. Cut chicken breasts crosswise into thick slices, leaving pieces next to each other; with a wide spatula, transfer each sliced breast half to a wide bowl.

Step 4
4

Ladle soup into bowls. Distribute avocado and cilantro over chicken and garnish with lime wedges to squeeze over servings. Add salt to taste. Serve with rice to spoon into soup.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0

Amount Per Serving
Calories 455Calories from Fat 28
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 2.1g11%
Cholesterol 99mg33%
Sodium 478mg20%
Total Carbohydrate 28g10%

Dietary Fiber 5.3g22%
Protein 54g108%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.