Hearty Winter Chicken & Root Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp fat of choice (butter, tallow, olive oil)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 small potatoes, diced
• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed (1 small squash)
• 1 can navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1½–2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (leftover from a whole bird or carcass is perfect)
• 8 - 10 cups homemade chicken broth (Chicken Broth Recipe)
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes, or one chopped fresh tomato, with juice
• 1 small can tomato sauce
• 1 - 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1½ tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Optional but good:
• ½ tsp dried thyme or rosemary
• ½ tsp paprika
• Bay leaf
• Splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice at the end

Instructions

1. Build the base:
   In a large soup pot, heat fat over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft and lightly golden, about 5 - 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add vegetables:
   Stir in carrots, potatoes, and butternut squash. Let them cook for about 5 minutes to pick up flavor.
3. Simmer:
   Pour in chicken broth, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Add salt, pepper, and any herbs and spices. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to get all that goodness mixed in. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook 20 - 25 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
4. Finish the soup:
   Add cooked chicken and navy beans. Simmer another 5 - 10 minutes to heat through.
5. Greens & balance:
   Stir in spinach just before serving. Taste and adjust salt. Finish with a small splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if desired to brighten it up.

Notes & Variations

• Works beautifully with the leftover chicken from making chicken broth with our chicken backs/carcasses (chicken backs) or with any chicken cut.
• Swap navy beans for great northern, cannellini, or skip beans entirely for a lighter broth.
• Add more broth or filtered water to thin it out, or let it simmer uncovered to thicken.
• Even better the next day!