This is a cozy classic with a twist! Stirring salsa into chicken soup at the end of cooking gives it great flavor. (We used a similar method in this version. Cooking methods: This recipe includes instructions for using the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or stove. Select your preferred method.
Garlic / Onions / Carrots / Celery / Broccoli - Prep as directed. Combine garlic, onions, carrots, and celery in one container. Store broccoli separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make vinaigrette - Whisk together vinegar and mustard. Add olive oil while whisking. Season with some salt. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Chicken - Tenderize with a fork and season with some salt and pepper. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Slow Cook Soup - In the bowl of a slow cooker, combine garlic, onions, carrots, celery, chicken, dried thyme, stock, and bay leaves. (Note: With this cooking method, you won’t need the oil or ghee listed in the ingredients list.) Slow cook until chicken is tender and falling apart, on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
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When chicken is cooked, transfer to a cutting board and shred or chop. Stir chicken back into soup. Add broccoli florets and turn slow cooker up to high. Continue cooking until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes more.
Remove bay leaves from soup and stir in salsa. Taste and season with some salt and pepper.
Toss arugula with olives and vinaigrette. Serve soup with salad on the side. Enjoy!
Prep
Garlic / Onions / Carrots / Celery / Broccoli - Prep as directed. Combine garlic, onions, carrots, and celery in one container. Store broccoli separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make vinaigrette - Whisk together vinegar and mustard. Add olive oil while whisking. Season with some salt. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Chicken - Tenderize with a fork and season with some salt and pepper. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
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Heat a Dutch oven with cooking oil over medium heat. Add chicken and sear on both sides until golden brown and just cooked through, adjusting heat if needed. This should take 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest while cooking the vegetables.
To heated pan, add ghee and then garlic, onions, carrots, and celery with some salt. Saute, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan, until starting to turn tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir in thyme and cook for 1 minute.
Add stock and bay leaves to pan and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, shred or chop chicken. Add chicken and broccoli to pan with simmering stock.
Simmer soup until vegetables are tender, 5 to 10 minutes more.
Remove bay leaves from soup and stir in salsa. Taste and season with some salt and pepper.
Toss arugula with olives and vinaigrette. Serve soup with salad on the side. Enjoy!
Prep
Garlic / Onions / Carrots / Celery / Broccoli - Prep as directed. Combine garlic, onions, carrots, and celery in one container. Store broccoli separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make vinaigrette - Whisk together vinegar and mustard. Add olive oil while whisking. Season with some salt. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Chicken - Tenderize with a fork and season with some salt and pepper. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Unlock this meal along with hundreds of smart meal plans and never stress about "What's for dinner?" again
Turn on the simmer / saute function of a Instant Pot. Add oil and then chicken and sear on both sides until golden brown, ~2 minutes per side. Set chicken aside. To heated pot, add ghee and then garlic, onions, carrots, and celery with some salt. Saute, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan, until starting to turn tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in thyme and cook for 1 minute.
Turn off simmer / saute function and return chicken to pan. Add stock (reduce liquid by 10-20% to account for lack of evaporation in the Instant Pot) and bay leaves.
Close and lock the lid. Set the pressure valve to 'Sealing'. Cook on manual / high pressure for 8 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then manually release any remaining pressure.
Remove chicken from pot and transfer to a cutting board. Shred or chop. Stir chicken back into soup. Add broccoli and turn on simmer / saute function. Simmer soup just until broccoli is tender, ~10 minutes more.
Remove bay leaves from soup and stir in salsa. Taste and season with some salt and pepper.
Toss arugula with olives and vinaigrette. Serve soup with salad on the side. Enjoy!