Tuscan Chicken Stew

15 servings - Prep time : 60 min - Cook time : 1 hour 45 min

Ingredients:

1 5-6 lb. whole chicken
2 cups water
4 cups chicken broth
2-3 teaspoons salt, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, divided
1 bay leaf
4 stalks celery, diced
3 carrots, diced
1 large onions, diced
5 medium red potatoes, sliced
1 15-oz. can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp dried thyme
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

4 roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced

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• In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, simmer chicken, water, chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper and bay leaf, covered, over medium-low heat for one hour.

• Remove chicken and set aside to cool.  

• Pour broth through strainer and add broth back to Dutch oven.

• Bring broth to a boil and add celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, beans, thyme, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, tomatoes and remaining 1-2 tsp salt (this depends on how salty your prepared chicken broth is – salt to taste) and 1/2 tsp pepper.  Reduce heat to medium and cook, uncovered for 45 minutes (cooking this uncovered will help reduce it and enhance the flavor).

• Meanwhile, remove skin and bones from chicken; shred or chop chicken, cover and set aside.  

• Once vegetables and broth have cooked for 45 minutes, add chicken and stir to combine.  

• Cover pot, remove from heat and let stew rest for 30 minutes.  

• Stir and serve.

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From SouthYourMouth.blogspot.com