Chicken Noodle Soup

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Homemade broth ingredients

• 1.8kg whole chicken
• 1 garlic head, cut in half horizontally
• 2 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 celery ribs, cut into chunks
• 2 onions, peeled and cut into ¼
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
• 4 thyme sprigs or
• 1½ tsp dried thyme leaves
• 9-10 cups water

Soup ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, cut in ¼ and then chopped
• 2 celery ribs, cut into 1cm pieces
• 2 cups shredded chicken, from broth
• 2l homemade chicken broth
• 200g egg noodles or pasts of choice
• 2-3tbsp stock powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 1 bay leaf
• Parsley, finely chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Place the chicken in a large pot. Add remaining Broth ingredients, then add enough water so the chicken is just covered (too much water = weak broth).
2. Cover with lid, bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Then adjust heat so it’s simmering GENTLY with the lid on. Simmer 1.5 hours until chicken is tender and easily comes off the bone. (Or 8 hours on low in a slow cooker). Scoop scum off surface once or twice during first 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to pan. Shred meat and discard bones.
3. Remove carrots, celery etc from broth, and discard. Optional: Chop carrot and celery, add back into soup with chicken.
4. Heat oil in a large pot over medium meat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots, cook for 5 minutes until softened and a bit sweet, don’t let them brown.
5. Turn heat up to medium high. Gently pour 8 cups broth in (top up with water if necessary), leaving behind residue settled in the bottom of the broth pot. Add Vegeta (stock powder), thyme, bay leaf and pepper. Stir.
6. When it starts bubbling, add noodles/pasta. Cook for time per packet MINUS 2 minutes. Stir gently only once or twice. Add chicken, stir (it warms quickly), then season with salt and pepper to taste – season well! and serve.