Tuscan Chicken and Chickpea Soup

Cut tomatoes into 1/2-inch pieces. Peel, then mince or grate garlic. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. When hot, add 1 tbsp oil, then chicken. (TIP: For 4 ppl. cook chicken in two batches, using 1 tbsp oil for each batch.) Sear until chicken is golden brown, 1-2 min per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. (NOTE: We will finish cooking the chicken in step 5).

Heat the same pot over medium heat. When hot, add 1/2 tbsp oil (dbl for 4ppl), then mirepoix. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies soften slightly, 3-4 min. Add tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning and 1/4 tsp chili flakes (dbl for 4ppl). (NOTE: Reference Heat Guide in Start Strong.) Cook, stirring often and scraping browned bits from bottom of pot, until fragrant, 1 min.

Stir broth concentrate(s), chickpeas (including their liquid), chicken and 2 cups warm water (dbl for 4 ppl) into pot with veggies. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 6-8 min.** When chicken is done, use tongs to remove from soup to a large plate. Using two forks, shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.