Chicken Minestrone

Low in fat and calories but nourishing and delicious.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 35 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 3  cups tomato juice
• 2  cups  chicken stock (homemade preferred, or canned low-sodium chicken broth)
• 2  cups water
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped, including the juice
• 1  small yellow onion, chopped
• 3  carrots, sliced
• 2  celery ribs, sliced
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1 -2  garlic clove, minced
• 1  teaspoon dried basil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
•  fresh ground black pepper
• 2  cups  thinly sliced cabbage
• 1  medium zucchini, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced
• 1  cup fresh green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 3⁄4 cup  uncooked macaroni (or other small pasta)
• 1  cup  shredded  cooked chicken
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
•  freshly grated parmesan cheese, for topping

Directions

1. In a big soup pot over high heat, combine the tomato juice, stock, water, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, parsley, salt, garlic, and seasonings; bring to a boil; decrease heat to med-low and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
2. Add in the cabbage, zucchini, green beans, and macaroni; cook, covered, until the macaroni and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Stir in the chicken and cannellini beans; simmer, uncovered, until heated through.
4. Serve topped with parmesan cheese.