Homemade chicken noodle soup

Chicken Noodle Soup – A Warm Embrace in Your Pot

Who doesn’t love a warm and comforting soup? Chicken noodle soup is one of those dishes that not only nourishes us but also fills our souls with beautiful memories. This classic recipe, as simple as it is delicious, takes us back to moments spent with loved ones around the table. Here’s how you can prepare this delicacy step by step, to create a delicious chicken soup full of flavors and love.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

- 6 chicken back pieces (preferably free-range for an intense flavor)
- 2 large carrots (fresh to add sweetness to the soup)
- 1 onion (whole, to flavor the soup)
- 1 celery stalk and leaves (for a richer taste)
- 3 good handfuls of homemade noodles (the noodle recipe is below)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cube of soup concentrate (optional, but recommended for extra flavor)

Homemade Noodle Preparation:

If you want to take your soup to the next level, there’s nothing better than homemade noodles. Here’s how to make them:

Noodle Ingredients:

- 2 eggs
- 200 g flour
- A pinch of salt

Noodle Preparation Method:

1. In a bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt.
2. Gradually add the flour, mixing until you obtain a smooth dough.
3. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until it becomes elastic.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it reaches a thickness of 1-2 mm.
5. Cut the dough into thin strips, which you can leave to dry a bit before adding to the soup.

Chicken Soup Preparation:

1. Washing the meat: Start by washing the chicken back pieces thoroughly under cold running water. This step is essential to remove impurities and achieve a clear soup.

2. Boiling the meat: Place the chicken pieces in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover them. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When the water starts to boil, foam will form on the surface. Use a skimmer to remove this foam, so the soup remains clear and tasty.

3. Adding the vegetables: After skimming the soup, add a teaspoon of salt, the whole onion, and the cut celery stalk. Let it boil for about 20 minutes.

4. Carrots and celery leaves: Add the sliced carrots and celery leaves. These will add a fresh flavor and vibrant color to your soup. Let it boil for another 10 minutes.

5. Adding the noodles: Meanwhile, prepare the homemade noodles according to the recipe above. Add them to the soup along with the soup concentrate cube, if you choose to use it. Let the soup boil for another 5-10 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked.

6. Finishing the soup: Once the noodles are cooked, remove the whole onion, celery stalk, and leaves from the soup. They have done their job of flavoring the soup, but you don’t want to serve them.

7. Cold water trick: A useful trick for achieving a clear soup is to pour a cup of cold water into the pot and let the soup sit for 10 minutes. This way, impurities will settle at the bottom of the pot.

8. Serving: Serve the soup hot, sprinkled with freshly ground pepper and, if you wish, with a bit of freshly chopped parsley. You can accompany the soup with a slice of homemade bread for added flavor.

Practical Tips:

- If you don’t have time to make homemade noodles, you can use store-bought noodles, but make sure to boil them separately to avoid clouding the soup.
- Use free-range chicken if possible for a more intense flavor and richer broth.
- You can also add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or zucchini, depending on your preferences.

Nutritional Benefits:

Chicken soup is not only comforting but also nourishing. A serving of soup contains quality protein from the chicken, vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, and the homemade noodles add complex carbohydrates that provide energy. It’s an excellent choice for chilly days or when you feel you need a boost of energy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use other types of meat?
Yes, you can replace the chicken back with chicken breast or even turkey, but the soup's flavor will be milder.

2. How can I make the soup spicier?
Add a few slices of hot pepper or a teaspoon of chili sauce along with the vegetables.

3. What other spices can I use?
You can experiment with spices like thyme, oregano, or paprika to add various aromatic notes.

4. How can I store the soup?
The soup can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for later consumption.

Recipe Variations:

- Chicken soup with vegetable noodles: Replace some of the noodle flour with vegetable flour (e.g., carrot or spinach flour) to add a splash of color and nutrients.
- Spicy soup: Add a few strips of fresh ginger and a splash of soy sauce for an Asian flavor.

Chicken noodle soup is more than just a meal; it’s a tradition, a memory, and most importantly, a warm embrace in every bowl. Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to start cooking! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 6 chicken backs, 2 large carrots, 1 onion, celery stalk and leaves, 3 good handfuls of homemade noodles, salt, pepper, 1 cube of Knorr.

 Tags:  chicken soup noodle soup