Recipe of the day: CROCKPOT ITALIAN CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE SOUP

Crockpot ITALIAN CHICKEN and VEGGIE and QUINOA Soup

It’s a well-known fact in my family that I could eat sandwiches, soups, or salads every single day of my life and NEVER get sick of them. Salads in the summer and soup in the winter and then sandwiches year-round. #yesplease 

Well..the hubby, he is pretty different. He  likes a heartier meal (it doesn’t have to have meat, but he does like that) and tends to want soup only once every couple of weeks.  

Mix all those vegetables and the spices it what your left with is a super flavorful soup with not too many ingredients. Plus it is quite hearty with the chicken and quinoa! (Both of which need NO pre-cooking.!!!) #score

The ingredient list is especially short if you pick up one of those pre-chopped veggie packs in the grocery store that has carrots, celery, and onion all chopped and ready to go. You guys know that I am all about easy-peasy. Then your prep is really insanely quick. I’m talking like 5 minutes quick. Not that it takes too long to cut up the veggies since you only need a cup of each.

CrockPot Italian Chicken, Quinoa, and 

Vegetable Soup

Prep Time:   10 Minutes        Cook Time:  4 Hours             Total:  4         Servings: 6-8

INGREDIENTS

• 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa, I used a roasted garlic flavored quinoa
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 - 1 full teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 - 1 full tablespoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste preference
• Parmesan Cheese
• Optional: fresh rosemary, fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lightly spray a slow cooker with non-stick spray. I used a 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe.

2. Add in the boneless skinless chicken breasts (no need to cook first), chopped yellow onion, chopped celery, diced carrots, garlic, uncooked quinoa (rinse to remove bitter saponin if your quinoa isn't pre-rinsed), and un-drained fire-roasted diced tomatoes.

3. Add in the broth along with all the seasonings -- red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and dried basil. Make sure to add these seasonings to your personal preference -- if you aren't sure you want as much of something leave it out until the end where you can slowly add it and taste test it. If you want to add more - go for it! I always do the red pepper flakes, 1 full teaspoon Italian seasoning (and sometimes more), the oregano, 1/2 tablespoon basil, 1 one small sprig of fresh rosemary, and LOTS of cracked pepper.

4. Cover and cook on high for 3-5 hours (Mine took 4 hours) or until the quinoa has popped and the chicken shreds easily.

5. Shred the chicken and return it to the crockpot. Add in any more seasonings to taste. Add in fresh rosemary and fresh parsley if desired.

NOTE: the longer this soup "sits" or cooks the more broth that gets absorbed into the quinoa. This makes it heartier and also less brothy. If you want a more brothy soup, watch carefully and remove from the heat of the slow cooker when it is your desired consistency. Alternatively add more broth as desired.

6. Top each bowl with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese.

@KelleyAmstutz

/kel.amstutz

KAMSTUTZ09