Classic Italian Chicken Soup

As you can tell by most of my recipes, I love soup! Here is another one I made just this week. It is very satisfying but not too heavy like a cream soup. I judge how much I like something by if I would make it again, and this one I would!

This recipe serves: 8
6 chicken breasts with the bone, about 3 pounds total
12 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups canned crushed Italian tomatoes
1 large onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
3 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
8 ounces orzo or other small, shaped pasta
4 cups chopped fresh spinach, escarole or kale
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

1. Remove and discard the skin from the chicken breasts and place the breasts in a large soup pot. Add the chicken broth, bring it to a boil and reduce the heat so that the broth just simmers. Simmer until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken and transfer to a plate to cool.

2. Skim the fat from the broth and bring it back to a boil. Add the tomatoes, onion, carrots, celery and red pepper. Simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the orzo or other pasta and cook for 5 to 8 more minutes, until the pasta is al dente.

4. Meanwhile, discard the bones from the chicken and chop the meat into small pieces.

5. Add the chicken, spinach, parsley and oregano to the soup pot and simmer for another minute or two. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve in warm soup bowls with a thick slice of Italian bread.