Chicken Gumbo Soup

A spicy soup made of okra and a medley of vegetables that is a perfect comfort food for a cool day.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup brown rice
1 green pepper
1 cup frozen okra
1 carrot
2 ribs celery
1 medium onion
3 mushrooms
1 zucchini
2 tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust according to taste)
1 tsp thyme
salt/pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
2-4 dashes tabasco sauce
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2-3 cups chicken broth

Directions:

1. Marinade chicken breast with oil, salt and pepper. Save chicken drippings for soup.
2. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
3. Once cooled, cut into bite-sized cubes
4. Dice garlic, carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, green pepper and tomatoes.
5. Fry onion and garlic in oil until slightly browned.
6. Add celery, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes
7. Add thyme, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, and brown rice. Add chicken drippings.
8. Add chicken broth and allow to simmer until rice gets tender.
9. Once rice is tender, add frozen okra and tabasco sauce and allow to boil once.
10. Serve warm with grilled cheese sandwich or crackers.