My Favorite 15 Minute Healthy Meal- Chicken or Vegetarian

     It's dinner time and you've nothing to eat. Before you order a pizza, you may have everything you need for a quick and healthy dinner. If you don't typically stock these things in your pantry or freezer, stock up! My favorite part about this recipe is how versatile it is. It can be made with meat or completely vegetarian and it can be made with a variety of ingredients, either fresh or frozen!


I got this basic recipe from my mom and I constantly play around with it. It always tastes good, every time. Prep time is about 10 minutes. Cooking time- 3 minutes! Try it with what you have lying around. I affectionately call it:

Kitchen Sink Soup!

Serves 4 (and this recipe can be doubled, tripled or what have you)

The ingredients for the broth are the only two things that you need. The rest can change according to your taste and what you have on hand.

Broth
-1 Box Pacific Naturals Organic Chicken Broth (Use Pacific Naturals Veggie Broth for veggie version)
-1 Glass Jar or can of cooked, pureed tomatoes (tomato "sauce")


Protein
-1 package of boneless chicken breasts (organic; fresh or frozen)  
-Substitute chicken with your favorite beans for veggie soup



*Veggies
A few handfuls of chopped fresh or frozen veggies (buy organic!) I like to add things like broccoli, spinach, carrots, cauliflower or zucchini but any veggies your family will eat will work. 



**Healthy Carbs
1 box of whole grain pasta (fiber content of 4g per serving or higher)

Directions

Boil water for pasta and follow the directions on the package. 

Combine broth and tomato sauce in a soup pot and using a high flame, bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper.



While those are heating up, (defrost if you need and) chop up one package of boneless chicken breasts 


Wash and chop fresh veggies or ready your bags of pre-chopped frozen veggies (you can even mix fresh and frozen)


When your pasta is cooked, drain and keep it aside.


When the broth comes to a boil, add all of your chopped ingredients and boil for 3 minutes.


Soup's on!


Place a small amount of pasta at the bottom of each bowl and using a ladle, pour soup on top. Sprinkle each bowl of soup with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese and add hot pepper flakes or hot sauce if you want a little kick. 


*HINT: If your children won't eat their veggies, remove them after they are cooked, place them in the blender and make a puree. It will seem like pasta and chicken with a thick sauce. They will never know! ;)


** If time allows, you can substitute whole grain pasta for brown rice.