Simple, Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup
I’m almost embarrassed to share a recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup. Almost. EVERYONE’S mama’s soup is the best! But if I could somehow share with you the relaxation and relief that spread over my daughter, from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes, when she hears I’m fixing Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner, you’d know why THIS one’s a keeper.
This morning I noticed a mild “under the weather” feeling…a slightly runny nose, a little tightness in my chest as I tromped through the snow doing chicken chores under the stars.
Combine that with kids saying, “Everyone at work is sick,” and it was time to pull out my First Signs Arsenal! So just like I shared with you a few weeks back in my post Jen’s 5 Favorite Cold & Flu Remedies, I came inside and hit the remedies. As chicken stock warmed on the stove, I started a NEW batch in my crockpot. (Find my link to Chicken Stock in a Slow Cooker in the post HERE.) I took a dose of garlic medicine which I plan to repeat through the day (Sorry, Family Dearest! I’ll take care of those vampires for you.), and as I write I’m sipping a mug of elderberry tea. Yum.
And dinner plans? Changed on a dime. The nice thing about being Your Local Chicken Lady AND a gardener is that my freezer is generally stocked with pastured chicken and broth, my pantry shelves with dehydrated veggies like celery and parsley. Convenience food, homestead style.
So today I’m doing a “quick thaw” of a whole chicken by putting it into a large bowl of water, turning it occasionally to make sure it thaws evenly. If I were REALLY short on time, I would start with a pre-cut chicken (like these here), but today’s quiet, and I’ve got plenty of time.
(Above: Cut-up Chicken for Roasting; Chicken Stock in the Slow Cooker; Simple, Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup)
Simple, Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup
Oh, and that elderberry tea? It couldn’t be simpler. I’ve got a gallon bag of elderberries stored in the freezer from this season’s crop, so I just pour hot water over a handful of berries and a stick of cinnamon and let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain and stir in a spoonful of honey. Ahhh.
Who knew getting sick could taste so good? 😊
What’s your family’s favorite take on chicken noodle soup? Let me know in the comments below!