Zone Diet Recipe ~ Fiesta Chicken Chowder

6 Skinless chicken Thighs, trimmed
1 onion
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
10 peppercorns
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, diced
1 28 oz / 796 ml can diced tomatoes
2 tbsp thyme
salt and pepper, to taste

In a saucepan, combine chicken, onion, garlic, bay leaf and peppercorns with 4 cups (1 l) water.
Bring to a boil; skim off foam and simmer covered for about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool; reserve broth.
Skim fat from chicken broth, if necessary and strain; discard, reserving broth.
Remove meat from chicken, discarding bones and cut into bite-size pieces.
In a saucepan, combine chicken, broth and remaning ingredients.
Bring to a boil and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.