Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Wholesome ingredients make this Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup perfect while remaining easy on the budget. This low cost meal can feed the whole family and still provide delicious leftovers for lunch the next day. The noodles are homemade with basic ingredients and the flavor of fresh chicken is enhanced with the vegetables and spices. Making a large batch can save time and money. The final product can be frozen for up to three months then it is easily thawed in the microwave and makes a perfect quick meal when your family is too busy to cook.

Ingredients
1 Pilgrim’s Pride whole chicken fryer (4-5 lbs) boiled and deboned (keep chicken stock for soup base)
1 large yellow sweet onion chopped
5 medium to large carrots thinly sliced
3 teaspoons ground black pepper (season to taste)
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon Wyler’s Instant Chicken Bouillon Granules
2 , 14.5 oz cans Butterball Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
1-3 cups of water
Homemade Noodles

Products Used in Preparation and Cooking
Anolon Advanced 8 Quart Covered Stock Pot and Nylon Mixing Spoon
Pampered Chef 5″ Utility Knife
Oneida Dinner Fork
Cutting Board
Tongs
Can Opener
Pyrex 3 piece mixing bowl set

How to Prepare the Chicken

STEP 1: For best results use a fresh chicken and rinse thoroughly with cold water cleansing under the skin and in all crevices. Remove any bags from the chest cavity (sometimes included in larger chickens–typically holds the heart, gizzard, liver, etc.) and discard. Rinse chest cavity with cold water.  If the chicken is previously frozen, thaw according to package directions. If thawing in a sink of cold water, remember to change the water every thirty minutes.

STEP 2: Quarter chicken, removing any loose bones, and place pieces into a large pot and cover with water.

STEP 3: Bring to a boil and cook chicken on Medium High heat about 2 hours or until the meat falls off the bone (or can be easily removed).  Note: The process time for this may vary based on the size of the chicken. Please ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked by following label instructions before proceeding.

STEP 4: Remove chicken from stock and allow to cool slightly. Remove bones from entire chicken and shred the chicken into small to medium pieces and place in separate bowl.

STEP 5: Remove any unwanted material from the chicken stock to include excess fat, skin, etc. The stock will be clear to yellow in color.

Preparing the Soup Base

STEP 6: Prepare vegetables (This can be accomplished while the chicken is cooking): Peel onion by slicing off each end and removing outer layer. Chop onion by slicing in half and making small pieces.

STEP 7: Wash and peel carrots. Thinly slice carrots and place in a bowl.

STEP 8: After chicken has been cooked and removed from the stock, add the chopped onion and sliced carrots to the stock. Simmer on medium low heat.

STEP 9: Add chicken to the stock.

STEP 10: Add pepper, parsley, and chicken bouillon to the stock and stir.

STEP 11: Add water to thin out the soup as needed without watering down the final product.

STEP 12: Allow soup to cook for about 30 minutes to 1 hour until the vegetables are softened, add chicken broth.

STEP 13: Bring soup to a boil and add homemade noodles or thick egg noodles to soup.

STEP 14: Cook on medium high for about 10 – 20 minutes  for homemade noodles or according to package directions for store bought noodles.

STEP 15: Serve with cottage cheese, buttered bread, or crackers. Enjoy!

Let us know what you think or if you made any changes to this recipe. We welcome feedback and would love to hear from you!

Homemade Noodles

During times of reduced spending, eating in, and trimming waste lines it is a challenge for many to create wholesome meals on a budget. Cutting corners does not mean you need to cut out delicious dining. This recipe is adopted from a “Better Homes and Gardens new Cook Book” published in 1965. (A very popular cook book of its generation and continues to be a popular item at second hand stores, thrift shops and flea markets.) This is a tried and true method for making homemade noodles that taste great, are easy to prepare, and are rather inexpensive. Give yourself plenty of time to dry out the noodles prior to dropping in the Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. This will allow them to cook up great and delicious!

Homemade Noodles (modified from Better Homes and Gardens new Cook Book circa 1965, p. 168) (prep time 15 min/wait time 2-3 hours)

Ingredients
3 beaten eggs
1 and  1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons milk
3 cups all-purpose flour (or enough to make stiff dough)

Step 1: Take eggs out of refrigerator and allow them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Step 2: Collect remaining ingredients, to include a large mixing bowl, a fork and/or a pastry blender, measuring spoons/cups, spatula and a rolling pen. For the mixing bowl, I like to use The Pampered Chef 6 Quart Stainless Mixing Bowl (Product # 1735) from The Pampered Chef Stainless Mixing Bowl Set. This bowl provides adequate room for mixing without making a large mess and is very easy to clean.

Step 3: Thoroughly cleanse your work surface (counter top) where you will be rolling out the dough.

Step 4: Begin making noodle dough by cracking the 3 eggs into the Pampered Chef Stainless Mixing bowl and  beat using a fork.

Step 5: Add  the salt to the eggs and continue beating (this can be adjusted for personal taste/low sodium diet by using less salt than what is called for).

NOTE: Measure the salt over a separate container or the sink to ensure you do not over salt the noodles.

Step 6: Add the milk to the egg and salt mixture and blend together.

Step 7: Add the flour 1 cup at a time, level off each cup, and blend well after each addition.

NOTE: Using a pastry blender may be easier than a fork as the dough thickens with the addition of the flour.

Step 8: When the dough becomes to firm to blend using a fork or pastry blender, wash and dry hands, lightly flour and continue the process by adding the rest of the flour and incorporate the flour into the dough using your hands.

Step 9: Form a dough ball by scooping all the dough together and rounding out the ball with your hands. Do not over work the dough or the it will become too stiff to roll out.

Step 10: Lightly flour your work surface (should be a considerable size: approximately 2 and 1/2 feet deep by 4 feet long).

Step 11: Place your dough ball on the floured surface.

Step 12: Begin rolling out dough with your hands. Using the ball of your hand, flatten the dough ball into a flat “pancake”.

NOTE: This will make the actual rolling process go more easily based on the stiffness of the dough in contrast to the softness of pie crust.

NOTE: Because the dough is stiff and firm, you can stretch it lightly to make the rolling process easier. Also make sure the surface remains floured underneath the dough to prevent sticking. You can even flip the dough over prior to rolling out to ensure there is ample flour beneath the dough.

Step 13: Roll dough very thin on floured surface.

NOTE: If your workspace is not large enough, you can cut off a portion of the dough and move it to a different location on the work surface and continue to roll it very thin.

Step 14: Once the dough is rolled out (approximately 1mm thick) cut in 1×3 inch strips (smaller or larger based on personal preference–this can affect drying times).

Step 15: Allow noodles to dry for about 1 hour and then flip over using a spatula.

NOTE: Humidity level and noodle size are variables in the drying process. Be careful when peeling the noodles off the counter. If they are too sticky, allow to dry 15-30 more minutes before flipping.

Step 16: Once flipped, dry noodles for the remaining amount of time (1-2 hours).

NOTE: The noodles should be dry to the touch and will become very stiff when ready.

NOTE: The sides and ends of the noodle tend to curl up away from the work surface as the noodles dry.

Step 17: Carefully drop noodles into boiling Chicken Soup or salted, boiling water.

Step 18: Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes on medium to high heat.

Step 19: Serve and enjoy!

Makes approximately 9 cups of noodles.

Let us know what you think or if you made any changes to this recipe. We welcome feedback and would love to hear from you!