SPONSORED POST: Sheep Thrills wines are made to impress. They’re big in flavor, light in cost and ready to adventure. We’ve partnered with them to bring you new adventure ideas inspired by wine.
Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean an outdoor adventure is out of the question. Make a big batch of this warm bean soup, pack it up in a thermos and head out with a blanket and a bottle of wine for a walk in the woods or a stroll in the park.
This delicious hearty winter stew has become one of my husband’s all time favorites. I love it because it can be made very quickly ( 30 minutes) in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) with 10 minutes of hands on time, and makes good use of all the dried beans in our pantry. Fast and affordable with a short list of ingredients. It’s packable and can be made ahead for the workweek, or packed up in a thermos for outdoor winter adventures. 
Highly adaptable, the recipe can be used as template for your own creations. Today I’ve used white beans, but really any other dry bean would work. Use what you have. Chicken breast keeps the stew clean and lean, while savory herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme give it flavor.
This week we’ve partnered with Sheep Thrills, to create a cozy winter picnic. Sheep Thrills is located on the beautiful hillsides of Abruzzo, Italy where sheepherders and grape growers have lived and worked side-by-side for hundreds of years. They are all about outdoor adventure, no matter what the season.
Pack up the soup in a thermos, along with a bottle of Sheep Thrills wine and take it with you on your next cross-country ski, snowshoe adventure, snowy hike or festive winter picnic. No matter what the adventure… this hearty soup will warm you to your bones!
Vintage stemless glasses make for easy packing…and the wooly plaid blanket and flowers are of course optional but add a nice touch.
Sometimes the simplest of ingredients and a glass of wine can be incredibly nurturing.
Make a hearty, delicious stew that is fast, convenient and affordable. Lean and clean, it’s low in fat and calories while keeping you energized and satisfied all day long! Pack it up with a bottle of affordable wine from Sheep Thrills and head out for a delicious winter picnic!
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Winter Wine Picnic with Chicken and Bean Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups 1x
Description
Just because the temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean an outdoor adventure is out of the question. Make a big batch of this warm bean soup, pack it up in a thermos and head out with a blanket and a bottle of wine for a walk in the woods or a stroll in the park.
Ingredients
- 1–2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 1 celery stock (chopped)
- 4–6 garlic cloves (rough chopped ( or sub 1 ½ tablespoons granulated garlic))
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried) or try fresh sage or thyme, or a combo (or even Herbs de Provence))
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- 1 cup dried beans (white, cannellini beans, pinto, kidney, heirloom beans)
- 1 pound boneless (skinless chicken breast ( leave whole))
- 4 cups flavorful chicken stock (sometimes I’ll add an additional bouillon cube)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- crack pepper to taste
- squeeze of lemon
- Additional garnishes- fresh Italian parsley (avocado, sour cream, chili flakes,)
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot on, to the saute function and add the oil, onion, celery, and fresh garlic, and sauté 5 minutes until fragrant and tender. Add the remaining ingredients (except the lemon) – herbs, bay, beans, chicken breast (leave whole), chicken stock or broth, salt and pepper. Give a good stir and set pressure cooker to 30 minutes on high pressure. If using particularly large beans like lima, corona, or fava, increase time by 10-15 minutes.
- Let the pressure release (either naturally, or let it out manually) and pull the chicken meat apart using two forks, shredding. Give a good stir, taste, adjusting salt and pepper and add a squeeze of lemon.
- Serve with fresh chopped Italian parsley, and for added richness sour cream or avocado.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
