Chicken and Stars Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small white onion
• 2 carrots (diced)
• 2 stalks celery (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 8 cups good-quality chicken stock
• 2 cups finely-chopped cooked chicken
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup uncooked stelline (star-shaped pasta)
• fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
• optional garnishes: freshly-grated Parmesan (lemon wedge, and/or chopped fresh parsley)

Steps

1. 1

   Sauté the mirepoix. Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. 2

   Simmer. Add the chicken stock, chicken, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the broth reaches a simmer. Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until it is al dente.

3. 3

   Season. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste and season the soup with salt and pepper (and/or additional herbs) as needed.

4. 4

   Serve. Serve warm with your desired garnishes and enjoy!