Once again, I’ve been asked for recipes for “Chicken Soup”, plus a few others.  My recipe for my original “Amah’s Chicken Soup” is a little complicated for people who don’t have a lot of time on their hands. Because of my health restrictions, it takes 2 to 3 days to “build” it.  Here’s a recipe that is very tasty and it’s a quick and simple.  I’m including alternative ingredients and a few tips to help you make it your own. Enjoy !!!

Before I start with the recipe, I want to add info about the abbreviations I use.  I do this for many reasons, the first of which is because shortens the time it takes to type the recipe.  I’m not a typist.  I use the hunt and peck method.

Legend:

T – Tablespoon/Tablespoons

t – teaspoon/teaspoons

C – cup/cups

lg – Large

lb. – pound / lbs. – pounds

oz. – ounce/ounces

sm. – small

temp - temperature

Quick and Simple Chicken Soup

Ingredient:

1 – T – butter

½ - c – yellow onions (chopped)

½ - c -celery (chopped)

1 – c – carrots (sliced) (or baby carrots – chopped)

2 – qt – chicken broth (box or can) (low sodium – if you prefer)

1 – can (14.5 oz) – vegetable broth

½ - lb – chicken (breasts or thighs / cooked and chopped)

1,2 – t – basil (dried)

½ - t – oregano (dried)

salt & pepper (to taste)

1 ½ - c – egg noodles

Directions:

1)    Chop everything prior to putting soup together.

2)   In the bottom of a Dutch oven, add butter, onions, celery, and carrots.  Cook for

5-6 min., until slightly browned.

3)   Add broth, chopped chicken, and seasonings.

4)   Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20-30 min.

5)   Raise heat to med-high.

6)   When soup comes up to a slow rolling boil add noodles.  Cook according to package directions.

7)   Serve with toasted French or Italian bread.

TIP:  You may have to reduce the heat a little, to keep soup from boiling over.

TIP: You can increase amounts of vegetables, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

TIP: You can also increase or reduce the amount of seasonings. Make sure that you use a little.

TIP: You can substitute seasonings as well.  Example: Use tarragon instead of basil.

Add garlic or a Bay leaf. (remember to remove Bay before serving.)

TIP: For a heartier soup, use chicken breasts or thighs that you cook (sear) in a skillet.  After chicken is cooked most of the way through, remove the skin and finish cooking it in the broth (bone-in).  Then remove the chicken pieces, remove from the bones. Chop or shred chicken and return to soup.

TIP: You can cook the noodles in water (according to package directions) and the drain and add to the soup and simmer for 5-10 mins. to flavor the noodles.

You have many things you can add or substitute to make the recipe your own. Get creative.

Until next time…….