Heartwarming Chicken Noodle Soup
There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup to chase away the winter chill and lift your spirits. This recipe combines tender chicken, a hearty medley of vegetables, and comforting egg noodles in a rich, flavorful broth. While the list of ingredients may seem extensive, you'll find that this soup is incredibly easy to prepare. It's perfect for cozy evenings spent at home or as a batch meal to share with family and friends. Best of all, the flavors deepen and become even more delicious the next day, and it freezes beautifully for those busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal in a hurry.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 (quartered)
celery ribs
2 (chopped)
carrots
2 (sliced)
garlic cloves
4 (whole)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
skinless chicken pieces
2 lbs (skin and visible fat removed)
cold water
10-12 cups (as needed to cover chicken)
chicken broth
10 cups (for cooking)
potatoes
2 (quartered and sliced)
carrots
2 (sliced)
celery
1 stalk (sliced)
onion
1 small (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
salt
1.5 teaspoons (to taste)
black pepper
0.5 teaspoon (to taste)
shredded cooked chicken
2 cups (pulled from bones)
chicken bouillon
2 tablespoons (liquid Bovril)
frozen mixed vegetables
1.5 cups (for added texture)
thin egg noodles
1.5 cups (for the soup)
Instructions
1
In a large dutch oven or stock pot, combine the quartered onion, celery ribs, diced carrots, whole garlic cloves, and bay leaf. Arrange the skinless chicken pieces on top of the vegetables.
2
Pour the cold water over the chicken and vegetables, adding enough to cover them completely. If your pot can only accommodate 10 cups initially, reserve the remaining water to add later as it will evaporate during cooking.
3
Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 1-1/2 hours.
4
After simmering, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a plate to cool. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, discarding the cooked vegetables.
5
At this point, you can allow the broth to cool completely and freeze it for future use, or continue with the soup. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the broth for a cleaner taste.
6
Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat from the bones, discarding any remaining skin and bones. Set the shredded chicken aside.
7
Return the strained broth to the pot and bring it back to a boil. Add the quartered potatoes, sliced carrots, sliced celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
8
Once boiling, cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes until the potatoes and vegetables are tender.
9
Stir in the shredded chicken, chicken bouillon, frozen mixed vegetables, and egg noodles. Adjust heat to a gentle simmer and cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through.
10
Serve hot, and savor the warmth and comfort of this delightful chicken noodle soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Heartwarming Chicken Noodle Soup.
How long does the initial chicken simmer take?
The chicken and initial broth vegetables should simmer gently for about 1-1/2 hours.
Can this chicken noodle soup be frozen?
Yes, this soup freezes beautifully for busy weeknights.
Does the soup taste better the next day?
Yes, the flavors deepen and become even more delicious the next day.
What kind of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of skinless chicken pieces.
What vegetables are used to flavor the initial broth?
The broth is flavored with quartered onion, celery ribs, diced carrots, whole garlic cloves, and a bay leaf.
What type of noodles are used in the soup?
The recipe uses 1.5 cups of thin egg noodles.
Should I use cold or hot water to start the broth?
You should use cold water to cover the chicken and vegetables.
How much water is needed in total?
The recipe calls for 10-12 cups of cold water.
What if my pot is too small for all the water?
If your pot only fits 10 cups, reserve the remaining water to add later as the liquid evaporates during cooking.
Do I keep the vegetables used in the first simmer?
No, you should strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the initial cooked vegetables.
How do I prepare the chicken after it is cooked?
Once cool enough to handle, shred the meat from the bones and discard any remaining skin and bones.
How do I achieve a cleaner taste for the broth?
Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the strained broth for a cleaner taste.
What vegetables are added in the second stage of cooking?
Quartered potatoes, sliced carrots, sliced celery, chopped onion, and minced garlic are added to the strained broth.
How long do the potatoes and vegetables simmer?
They should simmer for 30 minutes until they are tender.
When do I add the egg noodles?
Add the egg noodles in the final 20 minutes of cooking along with the shredded chicken and frozen vegetables.
What type of bouillon is recommended?
The recipe recommends 2 tablespoons of liquid Bovril chicken bouillon.
Are frozen vegetables included in this recipe?
Yes, 1.5 cups of frozen mixed vegetables are added for extra texture.
How much salt and pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1.5 teaspoons of salt and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, or to taste.
What kind of pot is best for this recipe?
A large dutch oven or stock pot is recommended.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, despite the ingredient list, the recipe is described as incredibly easy to prepare.
Can I make the broth ahead of time?
Yes, the broth can be cooled completely and frozen for future use after it is strained.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
Six garlic cloves are used: four whole for the broth and two minced for the final soup.
What preparation is needed for the potatoes?
The potatoes should be quartered and sliced.
Does this soup use a bay leaf?
Yes, one whole bay leaf is used during the initial broth-making stage.
What is the final cooking step?
Adjust the heat to a gentle simmer and cook the noodles, chicken, and frozen vegetables for 20 minutes.
Is this a good recipe for winter?
Yes, it is described as perfect for chasing away the winter chill.
What is the purpose of the liquid Bovril?
It serves as the chicken bouillon to enhance the flavor of the broth.
How many carrots are needed?
Four carrots are needed: two for the initial broth and two sliced for the soup.
Is the chicken skin removed?
Yes, skinless chicken pieces are used and any remaining skin is discarded after simmering.