Make Ahead Chicken Quinoa Stew

My kids have been sick with colds this week, and really needed a chicken soup. I love this make ahead chicken stew because it has quinoa instead of rice or noodles. If you've never had quinoa before, you really need to try it. It's a whole grain and very nutritious. I buy it at Costco. It's in the isle with the baking supplies.

The Ingredients

2 chicken breasts

3 carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, sliced

1 cup onion, chopped

1 clove garlic

4-6 cups water

chicken bouillon (I used about 6 teaspoons)

2 cans chicken broth

salt and pepper

bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon parsley or some fresh spring

1-2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 cup quinoa

At Ten O'Clock

Cook chicken in water with chicken bouillon, thyme, parsley and bay leaf. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside. Save broth. Cut chicken into pieces, or shred.

Meanwhile, saute garlic, carrots, celery and onion in olive oil until vegetables start to soften. Add chicken broth and quinoa. Simmer, covered, until quinoa is soft. Add chicken and more reserved broth until soup is desired consistency. (You may need to add more broth as you cook the quinoa.)

Before Serving

Reheat and enjoy.

Family Approval

Soup is definitely not my husband's favorite dinner, but he loved this soup. He even ate it for leftovers. I really love the texture and flavor of the quinoa.

~Jena