A fast and tasty micro-cooked chicken and pasta soup.

Super Chicken Football Soup

1 cup curly pasta
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup chopped celery
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon crushed dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried thyme
8 cups chicken broth - divided use
1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large microwave-safe dish combine carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, parsley and thyme. Stir in 1 cup of the chicken broth, cover, and cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
3. Stir in remaining 7 cups chicken broth and chicken. Cover and cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until boiling.
4. Add cooked pasta, salt and pepper. Cook on HIGH for 5 minutes more. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Makes 6 servings.