Chicken, Bean & Spinach Soup

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)

1 small onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 pound organic chicken breast or tenders

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 large organic carrot, peeled and cubed into very small cubes

5 medium organic tomatoes, chopped

1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained

3 cups fresh organic spinach

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups (32 oz) organic chicken broth

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

sea salt

DIRECTIONS

In a large soup pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 1 minute. Then add chopped green bell pepper and cook for another minute on medium-high heat. Remove vegetables from the pan.

Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, heat it up on medium-high heat. Slice chicken into small pieces. Season chicken slices generously with paprika, oregano, basil, and salt. Saute on medium-high heat until browned on both sides. The chicken does not have to be cooked all the way through, as you will continue cooking it in the next steps.

Return cooked onions and bell peppers to the pan. Add chopped carrots, tomatoes, red kidney beans, fresh spinach, and minced garlic. Add chicken broth and water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of oregano and 1/2 teaspoon basil. Bring to boil and then simmer for 15-20 minutes until carrots are cooked and chicken cooked through. Season with sea salt to taste.