Black Bean Chicken Soup

Suggested Ingredients

2 chicken breasts, sliced and cubed
1 can organic black beans, i use the earthfare brand because it's low in sodium
chicken stock as your base - how much depends on how much soup you want to make
2 - 3 carrots, sliced thin
3 stalks of celery, sliced
1 very large garlic clove or 2 - 3 smaller ones, sliced thin
2 bay leaves
fresh parsley, as much or as little as you want
onion powder, if your kids don't like fresh onions, like mine
poultry seasoning
mediterranean seasoning, I use Frontier Organic Herby

Suggested Cooking Method

Over medium heat bring to a simmer chicken stock, add veggies, bay leaves, parsley, onion powder, poultry seasoning and the juice from the can of beans.  Depending on how much soup you want to make or how much chicken stock you are using, feel free to add a bit of water as well.  While that is simmering, heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet.  When it's hot enough to make water jump when sprinkled in, toss your chicken into the pan and saute with the mediterranean seasoning until mostly done.  You may want to cut into smaller bite-size pieces if they are not already.  Thow them into the simmering soup and add the beans. 

Let this cook for at least an hour or until the flavors are melded and the veggies are soft.  Adjust flavors to taste.  I don't add salt because the seasoning has plenty, but you may want to.

Based on feedback, be sure to add a bit of extra mediterranean seasoning to the soup as well if it still seems bland after adding the chicken. The other thing is to use a really strong and thick(ish) chicken stock.  You can get this by simply using less water and more chicken bones when cooking your stock and simmer it down a little bit longer than normal.  It'll give your soups more body as well.

To serve, add a dollop of sour cream!  I personally use all organic ingredients and find that the celery flavor really pops!  I love it!