Chicken and Quinoa Soup

Quick & Easy Dinner Soup: Chicken and Quinoa Soup

If you are curious about quinoa and all of the benefits it offers, then I have just the recipe for you. How about giving Chicken and Quinoa Soup a try?

Do you ever get tired of the same old, same old when it comes to dinner?

Me too.

I think most of us have a few preferred recipes we make week to week, month to month. I know here, we have a few favorites I make often, sometimes every week. But even if they are a favorite, I still get tired of eating the same thing for dinner, don't you?

So, why not make dinner more exciting by trying something new?

If you follow a monthly menu plan, my hat is off to you. 

I have always admired those who create a monthly menu plan, and stick to it.

I am just one of those people who thinks, how do I know what I will want the second Tuesday of this month? My cravings and what is available in the fridge dictate what I make for dinner. What can I say, I am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal. 

How do you run the dinner shift in your own home? Inquiring minds want to know. I am always so curious about this subject.

The other day, my husband mentioned homemade chicken and noodle soup, and since I did not have noodles in the pantry, I decided to try something else.

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I asked myself, why not quinoa?  

Do you know the benefits of eating quinoa? Sit back, and I will share with you a few reasons why it is a good choice.

• Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of complete protein, especially for vegetarians and vegans
• It provides dietary fiber, which supports healthy digestion and can help prevent constipation. (I'm not shy in sharing this fact)
• Quinoa is a good source of magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, and B vitamins like folate.
• Quinoa is gluten free and a great alternative for folks like me
• Quinoa has a low glycemic index, making it a good choice for stabilizing blood sugar levels and supporting a low-GI diet
• The fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats in quinoa contribute to cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels and promoting healthy blood pressure
• It helps you stay fuller longer which means you are less likely to overeat

I only touched on a few, so go ahead, and look up more information on quinoa. It really is an excellent ingredient to add to your grocery list. We kind of love it around here, which made me think I really need to create more recipes including quinoa. 

So, let's get started on this delicious soup recipe share today. 

Chicken and Quinoa Soup

Ingredients:

1. 4 chicken thighs
2. 1 onion, chopped
3. 1 12 oz package sliced carrots
4. 4 ribs of celery hearts, sliced
5. 8 oz sliced mushrooms
6. 1 t garlic powder
7. 1 t onion powder
8. 1 t parsley
9. 1 t black pepper
10. Salt to taste
11. 1 32 oz chicken broth container 
12. 1 cup quinoa prepared according to package 

Instructions:

• Cut up vegetables and place into stock pot with chicken, place lid over stockpot, and cook for about 25 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften and chicken is no longer pink
• Add spices and chicken broth continue to cook chicken through
• Prepare quinoa according to package, I followed, 1 cup quinoa, and 2 cups water
• Add quinoa to soup
• Turn down heat and allow to simmer
• Serve

So I am not a fan of showing raw chicken, but I wanted to show you how simple this really is

So, this was a super easy soup, and can I tell you how much I loved using the sliced carrots? So simple, open package and dump. Who doesn't love easy? This will be my new go to so I do not have to stand there and cut up carrots for days on end. Ok, slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean.

My husband loved this soup and it did not stick around for long, that is for sure. You know me, cook once, dinner 2, 3, 4 times. 

Yes, we do eat leftovers around here. Sometimes leftovers become something new, and sometimes they remain the same. I guess it depends on how well liked they are. 

So, if you are searching for a healthy soup recipe, I admit, this will be my new go to, so why not give it a try? 

Thanks for sticking by me on my recipe adventures. Often times, I have no idea what dinner will become, but it sure is a fun ride while making it up. 

Enjoy!

Cara