Majestic Chicken Velvet Soup!

When I'm blue and moody, I really want something to comfort me from the inside out.  Hello Freud, analyze that one buddy!  (not too hard to figure that one out.)  As we are getting ready to move to Georgia, everything seems to be going wrong that could be going wrong.  Its just like the cosmos is recognizing my raving, un-desire to move far from my beloved New York and causing issues to prevent us going in a timely manner.  Or it could be the fairies since I didn't leave a cupcake out by the bush for them or something.  LOL  Like today, we went to get the hitch put on our car to tow a small trailer with us of all the things we'll need right off.  (the movers can come up to two months later, as in the case of my neighbors)  I can't be without my crock pot that long!  So, we went to place and the guy tells us that the dude we talked to didn't order the part in, they didn't have any in stock and they had no mechanic on duty anyways today.  We stood there not knowing what to say as the manager ordered our part and said they "might" get it done in time for us to leave.  Might?!  We have no option here.  Might does not suffice.  My blood pressure was soaring and all I could think about was the amount of stress this is putting on us both.  Ugh...so when I'm in one of "those" moods, I want something to make me feel better...and this soup always does the trick.  I know its hot out and its not technically "soup" weather but this is so good, you won't care.  You just feel loved.  You taste love...like your grandma is in the kitchen whipping you up something good kinda love.  Mmmm, yeah.

I wish I could claim fame to creating Chicken Velvet soup but sadly, I've been making it so long, I couldn't even possibly tell you where I got the original recipe from.  Even then, I've deviated so far from the original recipe, its kinda not theirs anymore really.  Theirs had no meat in it.  I've added bacon on top and cheese.  I've even stirred in sour cream for extra creaminess.  And at one point I even added homemade noodles to it for a creamy chicken noodle thing.  I even added gnocchi once and herbed rotisserie chicken from the deli.  Its really just that flexible.  Below is the basic way I make it...and I do add probably a good 2 tbsp of chicken bouillon granules/crystals because I like it super chickeny flavored.  But I promise you, you will never have a more delicious, smooth, filling and tastier soup than this.  Even my picky 14 year old son loves this soup and usually, if its not topped with pizza sauce, he ain't eating it.  LOL  This really is a majestic recipe.  Here's hoping it'll make your day better too!

CHICKEN VELVET SOUP

⅓ c. unsalted butter
¾ c. flour
6 c. chicken stock
1 c. milk, warmed
1 c. heavy cream, warmed
1 c. shredded, cooked chicken
Salt/pepper, to taste
Chicken flavor granules, optional

Melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour, cooking till bubbly and thick.  Warm (either in the microwave or in a small saucepan) the milk and cream together but do not scald or boil.  Add the warmed milk and cream with 2 cups of chicken broth to the flour mixture. Whisk till blended and thickened. Do not boil!  Add the remaining 4 c. of stock, whisking till smooth and incorporated.  Continue cooking till heated thoroughly.  Season to taste with salt, pepper and chicken granules for a stronger chicken flavor if desired.  (and I highly recommend!)

Add the shredded chicken and allow to heat through before serving.