When the temperatures are freezing (or below freezing), what sounds better than soup? Answer: nothing. A couple favorites exist in the Steinkamp household – chili, beef stew (mom’s recipe) and this hearty chicken noodle soup. Through the years, I’ve made tweaks, added and taken away to find a sweet spot. Finally feeling like I hit gold with this round, it was perfect timing as Iowa temps dipped again! Wow, it’s a been a cold winter.
A couple things. If you have a dutch oven, I highly recommend using it. If you don’t, I highly recommend investing. Since receiving this blue one for Christmas a couple years ago, it has become my favorite soup pot. They heat up so well and evenly, and it holds all the ingredients like a champ. I’ll link some of my favorites below. There are so many options out there – high-end & low-end – so you’ll easily find one to fit your budget. Also, you’ll find the recipe below, with recipe notes included. Most of my adapted recipes come with flexible measurements. Considering I’m a “little of this, little of that” until it works type of cook, feel free to take this and make it your own, too.
However…
Two things I highly recommend – using shredded rotisserie chicken & cooking the noodles halfway before adding them to the soup. The savory chicken adds so much flavor and the half-al dente noodles soak up just enough broth without making the soup thick. These are two things I would never stray from. The seasonings? Sometimes I add more, sometimes I leave one out.
So, without further ado…
Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 49.5 oz can chicken broth
- 14.5 cxan chicken broth
- 4-6 carrot sticks, peeled & sliced
- 4-6 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded or 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 16 oz pkg Reames egg noodles
- salt & pepper
Instructions
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1. Pour both cans of chicken broth in pot and add the stick of butter. Heat until butter is melted and add sliced carrots & celery, garlic and Italian seasoning.
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2. Meanwhile, boil one quart water in separate pan and add noodles. Cook for 10 minutes (we don't want them cooked through), drain and set aside.
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3. Once carrots have begun to soften, add the chicken and noodles. Add salt & pepper to taste. Continue to simmer for at least 20 minutes for flavors to blend. The longer you let it sit, the better it tastes!
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4. Remove from heat & serve!
Recipe Notes
Feel free to add more or less carrots & celery - easily adapted to what your family enjoys!
Don't forget the oyster crackers!
xoxo. a
