CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP

Chicken Gumbo Soup image

Provided by Marsha Gardner

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 whole chicken, rinsed
water to cover
1 onion cut in quarters, you can leave the skin on
2 carrots, broken in pieces, no need to peel
3 celery stalks, broken, leave leaves on
2 Tbsp peppercorns, whole black
1 bay leaf
SOUP INGREDIENTS
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 c celery, diced
2 qt strained chicken broth
2 c fresh or frozen sliced okra
1 qt tomatoes, i prefer home canned
1 c rice
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1-2 Tbsp chicken base

Steps:

1. In a large stockpot place chicken, vegetables, water to cover and black peppercorns. Bring to a boil and reduce to low simmer and cook until chicken is done.
2. Remove chicken to cool. Strain broth and set aside. Discard vegetables. (my dog loves these added to his dog food)
3. SOUP: Place broth in large stockpot, add onion, bell pepper, rice, tomatoes and simmer until almost done. Add okra and cook 10 minutes longer. Taste broth if you need a bit more chicken flavor add 1-2 tablespoons chicken base (I buy at Sam's) Adjust seasoning. Chicken base can be a bit salty so don't add any more salt until you have tasted broth.