CHICKEN, BEANS AND GREENS SOUP

Chicken, Beans and Greens Soup image

Provided by Barbara Kurtz @bakurtz

Number Of Ingredients 12

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- 1 can (14.5 oz) italian-style stewed tomatoes
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup each coarsely chopped carrots, celery, & leeks/onions
- 1 lb. skinned boneless chicken breast cut in 1/2 inch chunks (if you use a family-sized rotisserie chicken, it makes a double batch)
- 8 cups chicken stock (not broth)
- 1 cup ditalini or other small pasta (caution: use less if you use acini de pepe since it swells terrifically!)
- 4 cups loosely packed, chopped greens (bagged mixed ones or mustard, turnip, collard, escarole) or even spinach work well & fast!
- 1 can (19 oz) white kidney beans (cannellini) or any other favorite, undrained
- 1/4 tsp each salt and freshly ground pepper
- (topping: grated parmesan cheese)
- 1 cup each chunked yellow and zucchini squash and colored sweet peppers

Steps:

Heat olive oil in large stockpot over medium heat; add carrots & squash and saute until slightly softened.
Add garlic and saute 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add rest of chopped raw veggies (except greens, and beans which come later, almost at the end)and cook 3-4 minutes until almost tender.
Add chicken and cook 3 minutes, stirring often, until opaque.
Pour in chicken stock and tomatoes, increase heat to high, cover and bring to a boil.
Add pasta, reduce heat and simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
Stir in greens and simmmer uncovered, stirring periodically, 20 minutes until greens are tender. Add undrained beans, salt and pepper and simmer 5 minutes longer until heated through.
Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese, if desired. Very filling! I prep and prepare this through cooking the chicken, add tomatoes and stock, chill & complete it the next day, then adding the pasta.