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I always whip this up when I need something cozy or I’m catching a cold. It’s all real stuff—no packaged broth or cubes here. You’ll be surprised how simple it is to throw together. Plus, your place will smell amazing while it simmers away.
Why This Stands Out
A bowl of chicken soup just does the trick when you’re not feeling your best. You get deep flavor from simmering chicken with the veggies for a while. Every bite’s loaded with juicy chicken, tasty noodles, and lots of veggies. Odds are, you’ve got most of the stuff at home already.
What You’ll Gather
- Seasonings: Dash in salt and pepper how you like it
- Noodles: 2 cups of egg noodles or whatever pasta you love
- Water: You’ll use 8 to 10 cups to build out your broth
- Herbs: Grab fresh parsley, thyme, and a bay leaf if you have it. Dried is fine, just go with half the amount
- Garlic: 3 cloves, chopped up small—it gives the broth more oomph
- Veggies: Two carrots, two celery sticks, and an onion, all cut into small pieces
- Chicken: 2–3 pounds of chicken pieces with bones—they bring tons of flavor
Easygoing Chicken Noodle
- Serve and Enjoy
- Scoop into bowls, toss some fresh parsley on if you’ve got it, and pair with bread or crackers. Eat while it’s hot!
- Finish Up
- Toss shredded chicken back in the pot. Add noodles and simmer until they’re tender—about 8–10 minutes. Throw in salt and pepper to taste.
- Shred the Chicken
- Pull chicken out and let it cool just enough to touch. Separate the bones out, then tear chicken into pieces you can handle easily.
- Start Cooking
- Stick chicken, veggies, and herbs in a big pot, add water to cover, bring it up to a boil, then drop to simmer for about an hour and a half—until the chicken’s falling apart.
Handy Hints for Hectic Days
Need it faster? Use rotisserie chicken; just pull the meat and stir it in right at the end. You can toss the bones in while simmering to pump up the flavor. Got no time? Store-bought broth does the job—just look for a low-salt one so you control the salt level.
Secrets for Flavorful Broth
The real hero here is the broth. Leave the bones in while the soup cooks—they pack in flavor. Let it simmer as long as you can—don’t cut it short. Go easy on salt and taste along the way. If you’ve got fresh herbs, use them—dried herbs work too, just use less.
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Leftover Love
You can keep this soup chillin’ in the fridge for a few days—3 or 4, easy. Want to save it longer? Freeze it in bags or containers for up to 3 months. Skip the noodles before freezing because they’ll get all mushy; just make fresh noodles when you reheat. Make sure the soup is cool and leave a little room in containers to give it space as it freezes.
Lazy Day Slow Cooker
If you’ve got a slow cooker, use it! Put chicken, veggies, water, and seasonings in, then let it go on low for 6–8 hours or crank to high for 3–4. Toss the noodles in for the last half hour. Super handy when you want hot food waiting.
Tastier Than Anything Store-Bought
Homemade always wins, hands down. No weird stuff or extra preservatives—just real ingredients that taste so good. The fresh stuff and that long simmer make all the difference, and your whole home smells incredible the whole time.
Mix It Up Your Way
Tweak and switch things how you like. For gluten-free, try rice noodles or GF pasta. Want more greens? Throw in spinach or even some zucchini. Craving more herbs? Sprinkle away. This one’s easy to customize for whatever vibe you want.
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Irresistible Comfort Food
This is the soup that cheers you up every time. It’s simple to put together, with easy-to-find stuff and big homey flavors. Hang onto this one—you’ll use it whenever someone’s sick or just wants something cozy. Comfort food, plain and simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use box broth?
- Boxed broth is totally fine. Boost flavor with Better Than Bouillon or toss in extra veggies. If you're worried about salt, go for a low sodium option. Even bouillon cubes will work if that's what you have handy.
- → Need it gluten-free?
- Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta, like rice noodles. Double-check your broth for sneaky wheat. If making noodles at home, just grab that cup-for-cup gluten-free flour. Try out your GF pasta separately at first—they usually cook quicker than regular noodles.
- → Can I use raw chicken?
- Chop the chicken small, toss it in before noodles. Breast cooks up in about 5 minutes, thighs a bit longer. Be sure it's cooked through—no pink bits. Some folks cook the whole piece and shred it up after. If you're using ground chicken, cook and drain it ahead.
- → How long does it keep?
- You can stash it in the fridge for about 4–5 days in a sealed container. Noodles keep soaking up all that broth—just add a splash more if reheating. Soup (without noodles) freezes great up to 3 months. Portion into single servings if you want, and warm gently on the stove when you need it.
Conclusion
Craving those heartwarming bowls? Give chicken and dumplings a shot, or check out creamy chicken wild rice. Lemon chicken orzo feels just as cozy too!