Homemade Chicken Noodle & Vegetable Soup
(from lisasikkema’s recipe box)
Source: GR Press 1.17.07, slightly altered
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 3 minutes
Serves 10 people
Categories: Chicken, Soup, Winter
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (4-5 lb)
- Cold water to cover (about 3 quarts)
- 2 medium onions, unpeeled but loose skins removed
- 2 medium carrots, scrubbed and halved
- 2 stalks celery, scrubbed and halved
- 10 to 12 black peppercorns
- 1 or 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 heaping teaspoon chicken base (good quality)
- 3 bay leaves
- Parsley, several fresh sprigs
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped onions
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced in rounds
- 1 (32-ounce) box or 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans good-quality chicken broth, optional
- 1 quart stewed tomatoes or 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
- 2 cups egg noodles, broken (fine, extra-broad or home style)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
- 1 1/2 cups frozen green beans
- 1 to 2 tablespoons basil pesto
Directions
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STOCK:
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Place chicken in large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
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Add onions, carrots, celery, black peppercorns, salt, chicken base, bay leaves and fresh parsley and gently simmer (partially covered) for 2 hours.
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Strain the stock, reserving meat but discarding vegetables. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin, and shred into bite-sized pieces. Cool stock uncovered, then refrigerate covered. Remove fat before using. Refrigerate stock and chicken in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
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SOUP:In large, sturdy stockpot, on medium-high heat, saute onions, carrots and celery in 1 or 2 tablespoons olive oil until softened, about 8 to 10 minutes.
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Add chicken stock (reserved and canned) and stewed tomatoes, bring mixture to a boil.
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Add egg noodles, ground pepper, kosher salt, cayenne pepper. Reduce heat, simmer until noodles are almost tender.
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Add frozen peas, frozen green beans, shredded chicken meat, basil pesto. Simmer until vegetables tender and flavors meld, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serves 10 to 12
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Nutrition information per serving: 314 calories, 8 grams fat, 29 grams protein, 31 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams fiber, 83 milligrams cholesterol, 743 milligrams sodium