Chicken Stew

I like to have a few recipes that can utilize leftovers or whatever I have overtaking  my garden and this is one of my favs.  I use the leftovers from a rotisserie chicken.  I strip off all the meat and then make my own broth.  The basil comes from the garden.  If you slice your veggies  it only takes about 20 mins to make this delicious meal.  I guess I should let you know that I got this recipe from Giada"The blowjob Queen".  Fitting for this cookbook, right?

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 stalks celery, cut into bite-size pieces
1 carrot, peeled, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small onion, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Half a baked chicken or about 2 chicken breast with ribs
1 (15-ounce) can  kidney beans, rinsed well and drained

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy 5 1/2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery, carrot, and onion. Saute the vegetables until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, basil, tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme. 

(if using leftover chicken, skip this paragraph).  Add the chicken breasts; press to submerge.  Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently uncovered until the chicken is almost cooked through, turning the chicken breasts over and stirring the mixture occasionally, about 25 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the chicken breasts to a work surface and cool for 5 minutes. Shred the chicken when cooled

If you didn't add the chicken, cook for 10 mins

Discard the bay leaf. Add the kidney beans to the pot and simmer until the liquid has reduced into a stew consistency, about 10 minutes.  Return the chicken meat to the stew. Bring the stew just to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Ladle the stew into serving bowls and serve with the bread.