Chicken and Sausage Stew Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
• 2 quarts water
• 2 pounds hot Italian sausage links
• 6 bacon strips
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 can (16 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Place the chicken and water in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Skim fat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30-45 minutes or until chicken is tender. Meanwhile, puncture skins of sausages; place in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain. In a large skillet, brown sausages on all sides. Cool and cut into bite-size pieces; set aside.
• In small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside. In the drippings, saute garlic until tender.
• Remove chicken from Dutch oven; cool. Drain broth; skim fat. Reserve 5 cups broth. Remove chicken from bones; cut into bite-size pieces.
• Pour reserved chicken broth into the Dutch oven. Add the chicken, sausage, bacon, parsley and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, macaroni, salt and pepper; simmer 10 minutes longer or until heated through. Yield: 8-10 servings.

Chicken and Sausage Stew published in Taste of Home August/September 1993, p47