This week, I was so kindly given the cold by the little boy that I nanny. Feeling under the weather and in no mood to eat anything, I decided to run to the store to pick up the fixings for Chicken Noodle Soup. Now, I usually would purchase a whole uncooked chicken, boil it, use the stock and chicken to create my own soup, but yesterday was not the day for such an event. (A) It can take a while to cook, (B) I was not in my own home and (C) I just wanted some soup. So, I decided to make a semi-homemade chicken soup. I picked up a
rotisserie chicken, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, parsley and noodles (along with some cold medicine and honey, not used for the recipe)! In about 30-40 minutes, it made the house smell wonderful, filled my tummy and soothed my sore throat. Here's the simple recipe for chicken soup!
Drizzle
2 T olive oil in a medium to large pot on medium heat. Add
one sweet/white onion chopped and
2-3 cloves of
garlic minced to the pot. Allow those to cook for about 5 minutes, until tender, but not browned. If they begin to brown, lower the temperature. In the mean time, chop
3 stalks of celery,
3 carrots and a
handful of parsley*. Chop more or less for your liking. Add
2 quarts of
chicken broth** to the pot. Throw in the celery and carrots. Add
salt and pepper to taste. Allow to simmer. Add some of the parsley to the pot. Start a
pot of water for noodles. (Follow directions on package for noodles). While the broth is simmering, and the celery and carrots are softening, tear into the
chicken. Pull off all of the meat from the chicken and put it in aside. Dark meat is the best in soups, but both white and dark will work wonderfully. Depending on how much chicken you like in your soup, you might only use half of the chicken. Save the rest for chicken salad, sandwich or just a little snack! By this time the soup has been simmering for about 10-15 minutes. Add the
chicken to the soup, a handful at a time
pulling the chicken apart so it's somewhat shredded while still in tact. Add
salt and pepper to taste. Allow the soup to simmer for 10-15 minutes. When the
noodles are done, drain them and let them sit. I have always liked to add the noodles to the soup when it is served, because that's how my Grandma Lucy always did it. She handmade noodles prior to making the soup, chilled them, and the noodles helped cool the hot soup. To this day though, I still like to add my own noodles, rather than have the noodles already in the soup. You'll know when the soup is ready by testing the softness of the carrots and celery.
Add the remaining
parsley. Stir and serve with noodles. Enjoy!
*I like to use flat leaf parsley. Others like the more traditional parsley. Either is fine.
** When I choose a broth I look for Fat Free, NO MSG and sometimes Light. MSG often causes migraines (I'm prone to them) and the Light usually means there's less sodium. I like to get this kind because I can always add salt to it. Some broths are way too salty when you get them. Always check the label!
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