Hearty Italian-Style Chicken Stew

A wonderful stew that'll warm you up and stick to your ribs! Perfect comfort food for the winter. Excellent served with crusty bread! This is my take on a Giada de Laurentiis recipe. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  stalks celery, diced
• 1  carrot, diced
• 1  small onion, chopped
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 1⁄2 lbs chicken, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1⁄2 cup fresh basil leaf, torn into pieces
• 2  tablespoons tomato paste
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Saute onions, celery, garlic and carrots in olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
2. Add chicken and brown on all sides.
3. Add tomatoes and their juices, salt, pepper, thyme, basil, bay leaf, tomato paste, kidney beans, and chicken broth to pot.
4. Bring mixture to a simmer.
5. Then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
6. Don't forget to discard bay leaf before serving!