Open Arms of Minnesota

Weekly Recipe #86: Southwest Chicken Soup

This week’s recipe comes from Open Arms chef Cassie, who recommends this comforting soup for chilly fall evenings. “I’m just turning the heat on at home now — I made this soup last night to have something nice and warm to eat,” she says. Pair it with some oven-warmed tortillas or bread to up the cozy factor in your home.

Southwest Chicken Soup

2 large bone-in chicken legs or thighs, skin removed
1 tbsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder
1 tbsp. Montreal steak seasoning
Olive oil
4 medium carrots, large dice
5 stalks of celery, large dice
2 medium onions, large dice
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp. of rosemary, minced
4 cups of chicken stock
1 cup of brown rice, cooked
1 cup of black beans (about 1 can)
1 tbsp. of paprika
1 tbsp. of cumin
1 tbsp. of coriander
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups of collard greens/kale/mustard greens/chard, cut into a large chiffonade

1. Coat chicken with granulated garlic and Montreal steak seasoning.
2. Place a small amount of olive oil in medium-size stock pot and sear chicken on all sides until brown. Be sure to see some pan drippings sticking to the bottom of the pot — this caramelization will help flavor the soup when stock is added later.
3. Add carrots, celery, onions, garlic and rosemary to the chicken and stir until onions are transparent and carrots are starting to brown.
4. Pour in chicken stock and de-glaze bottom of pan drippings — scrape brown spots with spoon as to incorporate flavor into stock. Simmer with lid on low heat for about an hour.
5. After an hour, add brown rice, black beans, paprika, cumin, corriander and salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add in collard greens about three minutes before serving to keep them a brilliant green and prevent them from overcooking.
7. Serve, using tongs to separate meat from chicken bone if you prefer.

More from Open Arms

Music With Open Arms Concert Event

Music With Open Arms: A Benefit Concert to Nourish Our Neighbors On Saturday, July 12, Matt Gogola will host Music With Open Arms, a benefit concert at The Hook and Ladder Theater, featuring performances by beloved local bands and artists. This powerful evening of

Read More »
Patrick Scully

Patrick Scully Online Performance

Patrick Scully To Perform A Few Tales – Faerie & Otherwise Online For Open Arms Community Please join us virtually for a special evening of storytelling with acclaimed local artist, activist, and provocateur Patrick Scully on Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. 📅 When: June 25, 2025🖥️ Where: Virtual, WATCH

Read More »

LGBTQ+ Resource Fair

Take Pride In Yourself Resource Fair Join Open Arms at Take Pride In Yourself, a free LGBTQ+ Resource Fair happening Wednesday, June 25, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the LUSH Lounge and Theater (990 Central Ave NE)! Organized by Neighborhood HealthSource and sponsored by LUSH, this

Read More »

Moveable Feast 2025: The Show Goes On

No matter the challenges, Open Arms stands ready to face the future. Together, we will gather for a special production of Moveable Feast being held on Thursday, May 15 at the historic Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. We hope you and your cast of characters will join us in support of our clients!

IN A CHAOTIC WORLD, WE CAN SHOW LOVE IN ACTION!

When life feels overwhelming, there’s one thing we can control: showing care, love, and compassion to one another. This February, Give from the Heart in honor or memory of someone special. Your gift will provide life-saving medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to someone facing a critical illness. We’ll send a heartfelt card to your honoree or their family, sharing your loving tribute.

Open Arms of Minnesota Earns Accreditation from Food Is Medicine Coalition

Open Arms of Minnesota, the Twin Cities-based non-profit dedicated to providing nourishing, medically tailored meals to individuals with critical illnesses, has earned accreditation from the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). This recognition places Open Arms among an elite group of organizations nationwide that have demonstrated a high standard of care in delivering medically tailored meals (MTM).

End Of Year Giving Graphic

Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!