Healthy and Hearty Chicken Quinoa Stew

I made this the other day and it was right up my alley! Loved it! I felt like I was getting healthier with every spoonful:) Okay, maybe that's a stretch...then again, maybe not! It is filling and yummy and packed with "good for you" ingredients. And hello, quinoa, what a fun new ingredient. Can you believe I've never had it before?! But don't forget the last and probably most important step, to season! It gives it that last, needed touch. This recipe serves 8-10 people. My family of 4 (of which only 3 are big enough to eat this stuff) had lots of leftovers. It didn't take us long to consume every last spoonful.

Healthy and Hearty Chicken Quinoa Stew

Submitted by Amy ~ The Sisters Cafe
Recipe Source: Picky Palate
Printable Recipe

2 T extra virgin olive oil (I always skimp on this just a little)
1 large onion, chopped
5 stalks celery, chopped
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 Cups sweet pepper, chopped
1 large zucchini, quartered and sliced
64 oz chicken broth
15 oz can diced tomatoes
5 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cubed into 1" pieces (get the Yukon potatoes, it's worth the extra few dollars)
3 cups cooked quinoa
4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked, shredded and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper
2 T Dijon Mustard
1 T Hot Sauce (Cholula brand is good)
Kosher Salt, fresh cracked black pepper, Garlic Salt (Lawry's is good), and Parsley to taste
1 1/2 cups fresh parsley chopped

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion, celery, carrots, peppers, and zucchini until softened. This takes about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes, and potatoes. Increase heat to high just until broth starts to boil Reduce to medium high and cook potatoes for 10 minutes or until fork tender. Reduce heat to low and stir in quinoa, chicken, dijon mustard, hot sauce. Season to taste with kosher salt, pepper, garlic salt. Stir in fresh parsley and simmer until ready to serve.