Chicken noodle soup is a delicious preparation, but also an excellent remedy for cold days when you want something comforting. Chicken noodle soup provides you with a light, yet nutritious meal and the cooking process is extremely simple. This soup recipe is easy to prepare and will fill your home with an irresistible longing aroma.
My chicken soup recipe has its roots way back in my childhood. I recall the times when my mom insisted on serving me chicken soup when I got flu. It turns out that chicken soup is one of the best natural remedies in fighting a cold. Also, scientific studies have shown that chicken soup contains a compound called carnosine, which strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight the flu and colds in the early stages of the disease. It contains a lot of nutrients that help to get back on track. So, I just want to say thank’s mom for your super delicious, comforting and healthy flu remedy!
Old-fashioned chicken noodle soup
Old-fashioned chicken noodle soupAlso, I’ve always been passionate about cooking, and chicken noodle soup is one of the first recipes I’ve tried to prepare. My mom was my guide and I hope one day I will pass this family tradition to my little daughter if cooking becomes her passion as well.Â
I’ve been taught how to prepare the chicken noodle soup the old-fashioned way. By that, I mean I am one of those persons who like preparing everything from scratch. I will share with you today how I prepare the fabulous chicken stock with vegetables and spices. That is the base, the foundation of your soup, it must be made right. Then, if you want a bowl of old-school chicken soup, then home-made noodles are what you are looking for. Yet, in this recipe, I did not include the home-made noodles because I was short in time. However, I promise I will get back later with my delish recipe for the noodles made at home.Â
How to prepare chicken broth
Chicken broth/stock can be prepared in a variety of ways. Yet, it is an indispensable recipe in the kitchen. Chicken stock is an ingredient that provides flavor and enhances the taste of any dish, it is like the base note of a perfume. Moreover, it is so easy to cook it that it is a pity not to. For the chicken stock recipe, you need several basic ingredients easily found in any grocery store. First of all, you need chicken meat with bones, it is the bones you need most for the taste and flavor. Also, if there is the skin on the meat, then use it freely. The fatty consistency is also an added value to the chicken stock. Then you need some vegetables and some herbs of course. Boil all the ingredients well in a pot and add salt to taste. Upon boiling, a foam will raise that needs to be taken out periodically. When the meat is ready, strain the soup of impurities or scraps of boiled vegetables, bones and skin. The soup is ready.Â
See the list of the ingredients for chicken stock, you can vary it depending on your tastes and preferences.Â
- Add 1 whole chicken or chicken thighs with bones and skin
- Pour 1 gallon of water
- 1 large white onion
- 1 medium carrot
- 1/4 celery root
- 1 parsley root
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper
What is the chicken stock used for?
Chicken stock is the perfect base for various dishes such as mushroom risotto, lentil soup, potato soup or any other food you want to improve the taste. You can save the stock for later and use it whenever you need it. Pour it in a zip bag or in a container and store it in the refrigerator. It can be frozen for up to 6 months!Â
What are the ingredients for chicken noodle soup?
When the chicken broth/stock is ready you will need only a few extra ingredients:
- One more carrot to add color and texture to the soup
- Noodles of any kind you like most
- Fresh parsley
- Dried thyme
- Salt and pepper (if you feel you like it more seasoned)
- Lemon, in case you like a little character in the soup
How to make the best chicken noodle soup at home
How to make the best chicken noodle soup at homeAs I have previously said, you have to start with the delicious foundation of the soup – the chicken broth. Make sure you strain the stock for a clearer and more beautiful aspect of the soup. Place the meat in a bowl and set aside, you will need it a bit later.Â
Put the soup pot back to boiling at medium-low heat. In the meantime, prepare the vegetables that will be added in the chicken soup. Peel off 1 or 2 carrots and cut it in rounds and throw in the heating soup. Let it boil in the stock until it becomes soft. That takes up usually 10-15 minutes. Check for the right consistency with a fork. If it penetrates the carrot easily – it’s done.Â
In the meantime, take a kitchen slider and chop the boiled meat into pieces of the dimension you like most. If you prepare the meal for children, then smaller pieces are better. Transfer the meat pieces to the soup pan when the carrots are soft enough. Do not boil the meat, it is perfect to be served already.
Then, add the noodles. You can choose whatever noodles you like most. Just remember that thinner noodles will boil faster while thicker noodles will take more time to be ready for consumption. In any case, always check the instructions on the package, this way you don’t fail in preparing a delicious well-balanced chicken noodle soup at home. When done, turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid.Â
How to serve chicken noodle soup?
How to serve chicken noodle soup?Once your soup is ready, do not serve it immediately! Let the soup rest for at least 20 minutes. Too hot soup will not open its favors and you will not be able to savor the taste at its fullest. It is very similar to the perfumes, you need to let it rest to understand the real aroma and how you feel about it.Â
The final accord of this man opera is the greenery you serve it with. If you add dried thyme and chop some fresh parsley to it, then it will definitely conquer the hearts of those at the table.
If you like sourer tastes, squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon into it. Also, you can add a teaspoon of sour cream to your delicious bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. Enjoy!Â
Old-fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup
Equipment
- boiling pan
Ingredients
- 1 medium chicken
- 1 gallon water
- 1 medium onion
- 1 medium carrot
- 1 medium parsley root
- 1/4 celery root
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 pack noodles
- fresh parsley
- thyme
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Wash the chicken and chop it in parts
- Put the meat to boil in a gallon of salted water
- Peel vegetables and cut in big chunks
- Add to the meat
- Let boil for about 1 hour at medium heat. Do not cover the pan entirely
- Strain the stock. Put meat aside. Throw the vegetables
- Put the stock back on the stove at low heat
- Peel and chop 1 carrot in rounds. Add to the stock
- Take off the skin and bones of the meat. Chop the meat in smaller parts
- When carrots are soft, add the meat and the noodles
- Let everything simmer for about 10 minutes
- Turn off the stove and cover with a lid
- Let the soup cool for about 20 minutes before serving
- Add the greenery when serving
