Whole Chicken Noodle Soup
A comforting homemade soup made with a whole chicken, fresh vegetables, and noodles, perfect for chilly days or when you're feeling under the weather.
Ingredients
For the Broth
- 1 whole whole chicken (about 3 to 4 lbs)
- 1 medium medium onion (peeled and halved)
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 10 cups water for broth
- salt to taste
For the Soup
- 3 cups shredded chicken (from the whole chicken)
- 8 ounces dry noodles
- 2 cups water additional for soup
- 6 stalks celery
- 5 large carrots
- 1 medium medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
- salt to taste
Instructions
Make the Chicken Broth
- In a large pot, place the whole chicken, halved onion, bay leaves, and salt. Pour in 10 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the pot. Let it cool slightly, then shred the meat, discarding the bones and skin.
Prepare the Soup
- In the same pot with the broth, add 2 cups of water, chopped celery, diced carrots, chopped onion, minced garlic, freshly cracked pepper, and salt.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the dry noodles to the soup and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, butter, and dried Italian herbs.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, and let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Notes
For extra flavor, sauté the vegetables in the butter before adding the broth. You can add more vegetables like peas or corn for added nutrition and flavor. This soup is ideal for sharing with family and friends, or for enjoying on a cozy night in. Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you'd like to enjoy it later, you can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let it cool completely before freezing.