We are in the heart of cold and flu season, and it is a particularly nasty flu going around. There are many people searching for anything that will comfort them. Nothing is more comforting than homemade chicken noodle soup, and it is easier than you think. This is a recipe i have adapted from my favorite go to guys, America’s Test Kitchen.
The Recipe is easy to follow and is ready with in an hour and a half. Here are the things you need:
A large dutch oven
For the stock:
4 lbs of chicken thighs
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 quarts of fresh water
Add oil to dutch oven and het until shimmering. Add chicken thighs in batches and brown, about 5 minutes per side. When browned, place in a glass or metal bowl and finish browning the rest of the chicken. Once all chicken is browned, place in bowl and drain fat off of pan. Add chicken back to pot, add onion and stir and cover. Simmer over medium low heat for 20 minutes, until chicken releases juices. After the chicken has released it’s juices, add two quarts of water and bay leaves and stir. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavor to build. After stock has simmered, set asdie until cool and then strain. Remove chicken to be shredded for soup and dispose of bones and onions.
For the soup:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
1 large carrot sliced
1 celery stalk sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
shredded chicken from stock
2 quarts of homemade stock
In large pot or dutch oven, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion, carrot and celery and sautee until starting to get tender. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add stock and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
This is where it gets fun, you can add other seasonings or spices if you like. Fresh parsely or ginger, a dash of lemon juice or zest for a pop of flavor. You can also add kale for a nice healthy addition too.
If you like, add fresh noodles, and simmer in soup for 20 minutes.
Enjoy the healthy, nutritious warm comforting goodness of homemade chick soup!
look for more recipes at lifesafeastllc.com
follow us at facebook.com/lifesafeastllc