Hearty Italian-Style Chicken Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 stalks celery, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14 1/2 ounce) 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

Preparation

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