Kittencal's Hearty Chicken Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic (or to taste)
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 8 1/4 cups chicken stock (use homemade or good-quality canned, set 1/4 cup cold broth aside)
• 2 small russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 -3 large carrots (peeled and sliced about 1/4-inch thick)
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed (use all or half amount of spinach) (optional)
• 3 cups cooked chicken or 3 cups cooked turkey
• 2 tablespoons flour
• salt and black pepper (use lots black pepper)
• cayenne pepper (or to taste) (optional)
• grated parmesan cheese, cheesse (optional)

Recipe

• 1 heat oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat; add in onion, celery, garlic and thyme; cook stirring for about 4 minutes.
• 2 add in 8 cups chicken stock with diced potatoes; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the potates are tender (about 15-20 minutes).
• 3 using a potato masher mash the potatoes in the the stock.
• 4 add in sliced carrots, spinach (if using) and cooked chicken; bring to a boil, reduce heat cover and simmer for about 30 minutes over low heat.
• 5 season with salt, pepper and cayenne (if using) to taste.
• 6 in a small bowl combine 1/4 cup room temperature or cold stock with flour until smooth; add into the simmering broth and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes).
• 7 ladle into serving bowls and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese if desired.