Hearty Homemade Chicken Soup

Hearty Homemade Chicken Soup is my own recipe for delicious homemade chicken soup. It's a great dish for cold winter days.

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HEARTY HOMEMADE CHICKEN SOUP

2 halves chicken breast

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

8 cups water

Salt and pepper

Prepared chicken broth seasoning (or Bragg's or Maggi seasoning)

As a healthier alternative to prepared chicken broth seasoning, flavor the broth with a sprinkle of Bragg's Liquid Aminos or Maggi seasoning

1 tomato

3-4 small potatoes, red or white, unpeeled
A few stalks celery, sliced

4-5 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 onion, cut in 1-inch squares

Frozen okra (optional)

Green pepper, diced (optional)

1 grated zucchini (optional, but adds color)

1 small bay leaf, broken up
Pinch of marjoram

1/2 tsp turmeric for color (optional)

Season to taste, then stir in:

2-3 tablespoons dry tapioca

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Instructions:

Cut up chicken breasts (with bones) into about 3-4 inch pieces. Brown garlic in olive oil in a large soup kettle or dutch oven. Add chicken pieces and brown on all sides.

Add 8 (or more) cups of water. Add chicken broth flavoring, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Let boil about 30 minutes, or until chicken is beginning to be tender. Add water, if desired. Add hard vegetables first (carrots, onion, potatoes) and then let boil another 5 minutes. Add celery, diced tomato, green pepper.

At this time, take the chicken pieces out and bone them. Dice the chicken meat and set aside.

Add the marjoram and turmeric to the pan. Test to be sure there is enough flavor; if not, add a little more chicken broth (or Bragg's or Maggi) seasoning. Add frozen okra and let boil until bright green and completely thawed.

Add dry tapioca to thicken the soup and then add back the diced chicken. Let boil slowly for 5 minutes.

Very delicious over cooked rice or French bread on the side.