Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup with Pasta

This cozy soup transforms simple pantry staples into something special, with creamed corn naturally thickening the broth while tender chicken and pasta make it a satisfying meal in a bowl.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 350 – 400g/ 12 – 14oz chicken breast (, cut in half horizontally to form 2 thin steaks (Note 1))
• 1/2 tsp cooking salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1/2 onion (, finely diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (, finely minced or minced using garlic crusher)
• 400g/14oz can sweet corn (, drained (or 2 cups frozen or fresh corn))
• 400g/14oz can creamed corn
• 3 cups chicken stock/broth (, low sodium (2 empty cans! Note 2))
• 3 cups milk (, full or low fat, dairy or non-dairy (2 empty cans, Note 2))
• 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups broken angel hair pasta (, or other small pasta like risoni/ditalini, or break long strand pasta (Note 2))
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (, or tasty cheese, Colby, Monterey jack, or any other flavourful melting cheese)
• 3 tightly packed cups kale leaves ( (torn into bite size pieces) or baby spinach)
• Something green – sliced green onion, chopped parsley
• Shredded cheese

Instructions

1. Season chicken – Sprinkle each side of the chicken with the salt and pepper.
2. Sear chicken – Heat the oil in a large pot over high heat. Put the chicken in and sear each side for 1 1/2 minutes or until light golden, then remove (it doesn't matter if it's not cooked through).
3. Make soup broth – Into the same pot, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until translucent. Add the creamed corn, corn, stock, milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
4. Chop chicken – Meanwhile, cut the chicken into 1cm / 0.4" cubes.
5. Add pasta – Add the pasta and chicken (and any juices on the cutting board). Cook for 3 minutes (or whatever the pasta cook time is).
6. Stir ins – Add cheese and stir to melt. Add the kale and stir until it wilts.
7. Serve immediately, with a little sprinkle of green onion and extra cheese if you want!