My Family Vegetable and Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

1. Protein: 1 pound of diced boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast

Vegetables:

1. One medium onion, chopped
2. Two sliced carrots
3. 2 chopped celery stalks
4. Two minced garlic cloves
5. Two medium potatoes, chopped
6. One cup of green beans, chopped into small pieces after trimming
7. One cup of corn, either frozen or fresh
8. One cup of chopped spinach or kale (optional)

Fluid:

• Six cups of vegetarian or low-sodium chicken broth
• Seasoning
• The dried thyme, one teaspoon
• One teaspoon of oregano, dried
• To taste, add salt and pepper.

Optional:

1. Garnish with fresh parsley.
2. Serving lemon wedges

Directions:

Get the ingredients ready:

• Dice the chicken and wash and chop all the vegetables.
• The vegetables are sautéed.
• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a big pot over medium heat.
• Add the celery, carrots, and onion, chopped. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Sauté the minced garlic for one more minute till it becomes fragrant.

Prepare the chicken:

• Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken is lightly browned, after adding the diced chicken to the saucepan.

Add the remaining components:

• Add the corn, green beans, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and cubed potatoes.
• Add the vegetable or chicken broth. Heat the mixture until it boils.

Simmer:

• After boiling, lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the chicken and veggies are cooked, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Complete the Soup:

• In the final five minutes of simmering, mix in the spinach or kale.
• If necessary, taste and adjust the seasoning.

Serve:

• Fill dishes with the soup and sprinkle with fresh parsley. For added zest, serve with lemon slices on the side.

Advice:

• This soup can be used in many different ways! Any seasonal vegetables you have on hand can be added or substituted.
• You can also make it in a slow cooker by following the same steps but cooking on low for 6-8 hours.
• Enjoy making this nourishing soup, and I hope it brings warmth and comfort to your family just like it does for mine!