Easy and Healthy Chicken Sausage, White Bean and Kale Soup

Does the title shock you? A NON-DESSERT recipe!

At the encouragement of my dear husband, I am going to be posting more healthy recipes on the blog. Not ALL the time, of course. The truth is that photos of sugar and chocolate laden baked goods are just so darn pretty. Healthy meals are – eh – so-so in the photography department.

I don’t eat blueberry muffins, banana bread, or chocolate and peanut butter cookies for dinner. Or lunch. This is the type of meal that we have at home for lunch and dinner. (Who am I kidding? I have a turkey sandwich every stinking day at noon.) Well, okay, dinner. This is an easy, one-pot, 30-minutes or less, healthy dinner.

This chicken sausage, white bean and kale soup is a perfect weeknight meal. I use fully cooked chicken sausage, canned beans and canned tomatoes in this recipe to save time. You may think that I’ve listed a huge amount of kale in the ingredients list, but it wilts down a bunch. If you like things with a little “kick,” add another 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

My favorite way to serve this soup is with heaps of day-old french bread. You can place it on the bottom of the bowl and pour the soup over it. Or, you can cut the bread into 1″ croutons and pour them on top.


SHOWN IN THESE PHOTOS

“Roulette” Low Bowls | Revsersible Placemat (SALE) | “Mallorca” Scalloped Saucer | Square Dish

Shot with a Nikon D7000 + 50mm f/1.4G Prime lens + 18-105mm VR lens


Easy Chicken Sausage, White Bean and Kale Soup
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Soup
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 12 ounce package fully cooked chicken sausage links
  • 1 15 ounce can Great Northern beans, rinsed (can substitute cannellini beans),
  • 4 cups chicken stock (add more stock if you like it more "soupy")
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 5 cups bunch kale leaves (torn into small pieces)
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of pepper
  • 1 day-old baguette (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the sausage and cook, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the beans, broth, and diced tomatoes, paprika, oregano and red pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Add the kale and a pinch of salt and pepper and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Ladle soup into bowls and serve topped with bread cut into 1" croutons or shavings of Parmesan cheese.
3.2.2807

Inspiration for this recipe can be found here, here and here.

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22 comments

Krista January 11, 2015 - 11:58 am
Beautiful Photography, Kimberly!
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 11, 2015 - 6:04 pm
Thanks so much, Krista! I am having a lot of fun trying out some new techniques and props :) I appreciate you being my most loyal reader (besides my mom - ha ha)!
Blair — The Fox & She January 12, 2015 - 1:34 pm
OMG!!!! This looks scrumptious! So wishing this was my house right now :)
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 12, 2015 - 1:45 pm
Thanks, Blair! I appreciate your comment!
Kelly • Dear Lovely January 12, 2015 - 5:24 pm
Oh goodness, this looks delicious! I think I’m gonna have to make this ASAP!!
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 12, 2015 - 9:56 pm
Thanks for visiting, Kelly!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout January 12, 2015 - 5:47 pm
Love your photography! Your prep photos are stunning. Great recipe, too :)
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 12, 2015 - 9:56 pm
Thanks, Medha. I am having a lot of fun with it!
tanya January 12, 2015 - 10:53 pm
Oh my, this is the kind of soup I love! I adore using chicken sausage in my soups, such a nice change of pace. And well kale is my new favorite veggie! Such a wonderful soup.
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 14, 2015 - 10:29 am
Thanks, Tanya! I recently started eating more Kale, too. You could add spinach or other veggies, too!
Laura Mitbrodt January 13, 2015 - 1:46 am
yummy this looks good, I love the photos xo http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 14, 2015 - 10:30 am
Thanks, Laura!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter January 13, 2015 - 6:21 am
It's so cold where I am and this is exactly the kind of meal I'm craving! It looks amazing and I love the photos!
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 14, 2015 - 10:31 am
Thanks, Kelly! We are almost halfway through January! Hang in there!
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire January 13, 2015 - 12:02 pm
You and I are so much alike... I never *really* meant to be a dessert and baking blogger, but it's soooooooo much easier to photograph a delicious decadent dessert that pretty much styles itself. And a lot more fun. I have to say though, you did a great job photographing this soup. I could definitely eat a bowl of this right about now!
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 14, 2015 - 10:32 am
Hi, Amanda! I am glad you can relate! Ha ha. How did we end up here? Thanks for your comment!
Christina @ Bake with Christina January 13, 2015 - 12:31 pm
That soup looks so hearty and delicious! Perfect for this cold weather going on too!! Pinned :)
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 14, 2015 - 10:32 am
Thanks, Christina! I appreciate the pin!
Michelle { A Latte Food } January 13, 2015 - 1:41 pm
I love this! It looks fantastic and so comforting on a cold day! Pinned!
hello@kimberlyfitzsimons.com January 14, 2015 - 10:33 am
Thanks, Michelle! Perfect comfort food. Thanks for the pin!
CakePants January 14, 2015 - 4:07 pm
Mmm...this looks delicious! Truth be told, I'm not a big fan of kale, but these gorgeous photos are actually making me want to run out and buy some!
shayna January 20, 2015 - 1:56 pm
My husband and I have been big into making soups this winter. We tried this recipe last weekend and loved it! So easy and delicious. thanks for sharing! I would love to see more soup recipes if you have them. Hope you're well in NYC! Debbie and I will be there at the end of the month for NYNow and would like to see you and Jackie if you're available. talk soon, shayna

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