Everywhere I go, someone is talking about the colds and flu that are going around. It seems every household has been invaded. Chicken soup may be just what’s called for to add some good lean protein and vitamin-packed vegetables into everyone’s diet. Here’s a recipe that sort of morphed when I started cooking. I had the veggies and the chicken all ready to throw in the pot when I decided to transform the chicken breast into meatballs. The result—Chicken Meatball Soup. It is very good and can be changed up to fit your taste by using seasonings you prefer. Enjoy experimenting and let me know what you came up with.

Chicken Meatball Soup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 ribs celery, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced; I used jarred roasted red peppers
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups chicken broth
1 15.5 ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 cups shredded kale
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Meatballs

1 ½ pounds ground chicken breast, I use my food processor to finely chop chicken breasts
2 eggs
½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients together gently. Form into 1-inch balls when ready to drop into broth.

Soup Directions

Sauté onion, celery, red pepper, and garlic until starting to soften.
Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook just a minute or two more.
Add chicken broth, tomatoes, and carrots. Bring to simmer.
Simmer about 20 minutes for flavors to mingle a bit.
Drop meatballs carefully into pot. Return to a simmer. Cook, uncovered until meatballs are cooked through.
Add cabbage and kale to pot. Cook until tender, 10 minutes.
Enjoy with some crusty bread spread with butter.

Pure comfort.

Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has the ability to comfort. ~Norman Kolpas