Chicken & Noodle Soup Recipe: A Comforting Classic
Are you looking for a comforting and flavorful soup recipe that’s easy to make? Look no further than this classic chicken noodle soup recipe! This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or a family gathering. It's also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking. Let's dive into the deliciousness!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe is designed to serve 6-8 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
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For the Broth:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), or 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 12 cups water
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
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For the Soup:
- 1 cup egg noodles (or your preferred type of noodle)
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
This recipe is incredibly straightforward and requires minimal effort. Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Making the Broth
- Place the whole chicken (or chicken thighs), water, roughly chopped carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt in a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through. For chicken thighs, reduce simmer time to about 45 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken meat, discarding the skin and bones.
Step 2: Assembling the Soup
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Return the strained broth to the pot.
- Add the egg noodles and chopped carrots and celery to the broth.
- Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 8-10 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and fresh parsley (if using).
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Serving and Enjoying!
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.
Optional additions: You can easily customize this recipe by adding other vegetables like diced potatoes, zucchini, or spinach. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end adds a bright, fresh flavor. For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon or two of chicken fat back into the soup after straining.
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Noodle Soup:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the soup will taste.
- Don't overcook the noodles: Overcooked noodles can become mushy. Cook them until they are tender but still have a slight bite.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper as needed to achieve your desired level of seasoning.
- Make it ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This chicken noodle soup recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Enjoy the warmth and comfort of this classic dish. Let us know in the comments how yours turned out!