QUICK CHICKEN MINESTRONE

Quick Chicken Minestrone image

You'll love this flavorful chicken minestrone soup that comes together with pantry ingredients. Dress it up by serving the dish with garlic bread. -Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings (3 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 large onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2-1/2 cups water
1 can (15 ounces) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 package (5.9 ounces) chicken and garlic-flavored rice and vermicelli mix
1-1/2 cups frozen vegetable blend (broccoli, red pepper, onion)
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Steps:

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chicken, onion and celery in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the broth, water, beans, tomatoes, rice and vermicelli mix, vegetables, pepperoni, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil. , Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until rice is tender, 18-20 minutes. Sprinkle each serving with cheese and, if desired, pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 299 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 44mg cholesterol, Sodium 932mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 22g protein.