1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup quinoa
4 cups chicken broth
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cups spinach or kale
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried Thyme
Rinse the quinoa under cold water, then combine it with 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Set aside.
In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from the pot and set aside to cool.
In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and thyme and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the cooked quinoa and chicken (chopped into bite-sized pieces) and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
Stir in the spinach or kale and let wilt for about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Enjoy your Healthy Chicken Quinoa Soup hot. Feel free to garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon zest for added flavor!
