Ranch Style Chicken and Rice Soup

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
1 stalk of celery, chopped
2 Tablespoons fresh minced garlic
3 cups cooked rice (about 1 cup raw)
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 heaping Tbsp instant chicken bouillon
8-10 cups water
1 Tablespoon dry Ranch Dressing mix
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce, like Tabasco

Heat oil into a large dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, saute the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside to cool. Stir onion, carrots and celery into remaining oil and saute for 7-10 minutes or until softened slightly. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add Ranch dressing mix and mustard. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and stir into the the vegetables. Add bouillon, water and salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes. Add rice and hot sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Very tasty! John loved it and went back for seconds.

Adapted from recipe found at http://pickypalate.com