Leftover Chicken Potato and Veg Soup
So it's a Sunday afternoon, you're hungry, you can't be bothered to start your weekly food prep until later but you need something to eat. You look in the fridge, hoping to find even a tiny morsel of goodness, but alas, as you're eyes relentlessly scan the shelves for something, anything, they fall upon a small plastic tub that has somehow got lodged behind a carton of eggs. You manage to prize it out, almost bringing half the contents of the fridge with it, and slowly peel away the lid.
"Maybe it's some of that curry I prepped this week... Or is it the chilli? Oh please be the chilli!", you think to yourself, desperately.
As the lid cracks up, a drop of condensation flicks up and lands on your face, and then it hits you. That smell. You know the one I'm talking about. You see a glimpse of green and as you peel the lid back further, the smell gets stronger, it floats up from the tub, that all too familiar wet, old vegetable stink that begins to make your stomach turn. You lean in closer, inspecting the limp food for any traces of mould, hoping for an easy way out. No luck, it's still edible, just.
{You don't have to settle for stinky bro food anymore}
"Urgh...", you sigh, giving in to the inevitable, not even mayonnaise could solve this one. You don't even bother to empty the food onto a plate, "what's the point, you mutter, "as if that would make a difference". You reluctantly open the microwave repeating the daily ritual, close the door and set the timer. Two minutes.
"Urgh", you exhale, another sigh. You lift your hand, admitting defeat as you see no other option (you either eat it, or throw it away, but then that means trying to find something else!), you move your finger towards the start button... But wait, stop! It doesn't have to be this way. All your pain and suffering can go away, you don't have to settle for stinky Sunday bro food anymore. Take your broccoli and chicken back out of the microwave, grab your nearest pot and follow the steps below. It's quick and easy, I promise, and you'll never have to put up with, or throw out, old prep food ever again.
Leftover Chicken Potato and Vegetable Soup
This recipe is guaranteed to transform your stinky old leftovers into a gloriously simple, but delightfully moreish, chunky protein-filled soup feast.
The Ingredients
- Leftover chicken (leg/ thigh meat always works well, but seasoned breast meat works too) - Leftover vegetables (for this recipe I used broccoli, peas and a little kale) - 2 or 3 Potatoes - 2 or 3 Carrots - 1 Chicken Knorr stock pot - 1 Vegetable stock cube - 2 Tablespoons Gravy granules (beef or chicken) - Seasonings (salt, pepper, mixed herbs)
The Recipe
- Peel and chop the potatoes into smallish chunks, add to a big pot, add water until it just about covers most of the potatoes and place on the hob to boil. Tip: Always put a lid on it, this reduces the time it takes to boil, and also means you can turn the heat down a notch or two, which saves energy.
- Chop the carrots and add to the pot, then add the seasonings.
- Once the potatoes and carrots have begun to soften slightly, and the water level has reduced a little, add the stock pot, stock cube and gravy granules. Then stir until dissolved. - Once the potatoes and carrots have softened some more, add the leftover chicken and vegetables, stirring until all combined. - Reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 15-20 minutes, checking throughout. Tip: Make the most of your time whilst waiting for it to cook. Maybe do the washing up, or, better idea, make a cuppa and read another blog post or check out this one. - Once the potatoes and carrots are soft enough to pierce a fork through, it's done! - Grab yourself bowl and a ladle, and serve.
This soup is my all-time favourite go-to meal, which I first made during my second year at university, and have been enjoying ever since. It always makes a good 3 or 4 meals worth and is perfect for these chilly winter evenings. I love to serve mine with a nice, big chunk of fresh bread. As always, I'd love to know if you have a go at my recipe. Use #healthbyholly or tag me @health_by_holly in your soup pics so I can see 'em!
