Chicken soup

Chicken soup is a classic, comforting, and flavorful recipe, perfect for chilly days or to bring a touch of warmth to the soul. This delicious soup, with sweet carrots and fluffy noodles, is quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for both novice cooks and experienced chefs.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs (preferably the upper thighs for richer flavor)
- 1 medium onion
- 3 carrots (2 for the soup and one for sautéing)
- 120 g noodles (use wheat noodles for a finer texture)
- 4 cubes of Maggi Bouillon (or another concentrated chicken broth)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Oil for sautéing
- Freshly chopped parsley (for garnish)

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preparing the meat: In a large pot, add the chicken thighs, a whole onion (unpeeled, for a more intense flavor), 2 carrots cut into quarters, and a little salt. Cover with water and bring to a simmer over low heat. It is important not to let the soup boil too hard, as you want to keep the juiciness of the meat for later use. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes.

2. Boiling the noodles: In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions. Once the noodles are cooked, drain them and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

3. Sautéing the vegetables: In a pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Grate one carrot on a fine grater and add it to the pan. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and starts to caramelize. This step will add a pleasant sweetness to the soup.

4. Assembling the soup: Once the thighs are cooked, remove them from the pot and let them cool slightly, then cut them into smaller pieces. Strain the soup to remove the cooked vegetables (onion and carrots) and pour the liquid into the pan with the sautéed carrot. Add the 4 cubes of Maggi Bouillon, pepper, and if needed, more salt to taste. Stir well until the cubes dissolve.

5. Finalizing the soup: Add the cooked noodles and the boiled carrot cubes to the aromatic soup. Let it simmer together for another 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.

6. Serving: When serving, pour the soup into deep plates and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for an extra touch of freshness and color.

Practical tips:
- If you want to add extra flavor, try adding some herbs, such as thyme or bay leaf, during the meat boiling.
- You can substitute noodles with rice or rice noodles for a gluten-free version.
- The chicken soup can be customized by adding other vegetables, such as celery or bell peppers, to enrich its flavor.

This chicken soup with noodles is more than just a simple recipe; it is a culinary experience that brings warm memories and special moments with loved ones. Enjoy it warm and savor every spoonful!