For the Kiddos - Chicken & Alphabet Soup

Spring in Chicago has been gloomy, wet and chilly lately and I was in the mood for some comforting, homemade soup. As I was cruising down the grocery store isles with my list of things and ingredients to buy for the week, I was also trying to find inspiration, specifically in the pasta section. Pasta is just one of those comfort foods that so many people go to, especially on chilly and gloomy days. As I was scanning all the different types of pastas, I came across alphabet pasta. Right then and there I had an OMG moment!

Why haven't I thought of this before? Almost everyone I know has great memories of eating alphabet soup as a child. I remember being so mesmerized by all the letters floating around in the broth. I don't even remember the last time I have eaten alphabet soup, and more importantly I don't ever recall my kids ever eating alphabet pasta. I don't even think they know it exists! I had to buy it and make them a great chicken noodle soup using this pasta. Even better is my toddler, Sofia, who's learning her letters is going to be so excited to eat her letters!

This soup is so incredibly simple to make, you'll be wondering why you'd ever buy the canned stuff ever again!

Chicken & Alphabet Soup

2 cups of alphabet pasta

4 cups of chicken broth

2 bay leaves

3 stalks of celery - diced

1 carrot - diced

1 small onion - diced

1.5 cups of shredded chicken

1 TBL of canola oil

salt & pepper

Heat a large pot with canola oil and saute the onions, celery and carrots just until they start to sweat and release their flavor. Pour the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add 2 tsp of salt and 1/2 a tsp of pepper. Add the pasta and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the cooked shredded chicken and heat through for about 3 minutes and serve.

TIP: This soup is great using left over rotisserie chicken!