There’s something about chicken soup that’s made it beloved by every nationality. For so many generations, people have been putting their faith in the healing powers of this soup that it even had a book series named after it. Now that’s great press! But it isn’t just old wives tales or childhood nostalgia that makes chicken soup such a great go-to meal, it’s the fact that it’s simple to make, absolutely delicious and its legendary healing properties are actually backed by science too.
The key is in the chicken broth. A slow-cooked chicken broth helps soothe the body by warming it, providing hydration and restoring lots of essential nutrients, fats and proteins. The broth is rich in vitamins and minerals and can even help heal common ailments. You can make your own chicken broth at home quite easily by boiling chicken bones with any vegetables and spices of your choice for up 4-5 hours. This broth can then be strained and frozen to use whenever you need it.
This recipe for Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup takes all the goodness and nutrients of a classic chicken soup and gives it a rich finish and extra bulk so that it becomes an ideal one-pot dinner solution.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- 2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 ½ cups sliced fresh mushrooms
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme, crushed
- ¾ teaspoon garlic-pepper seasoning
- 500 gms cream cheese
- 2 cups dried egg noodles
Method:
- In a large pot or slow cooker, combine broth, the water, chicken, carrots, celery, mushrooms, onion, thyme, and garlic-pepper seasoning.
- Cover and cook on a low-heat for an hour. Or up to 8 hours in a slow cooker, depending on the settings of your model.
- Stir in cream cheese until combined. Stir in uncooked noodles.
- Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes more or just until the noodles are tender.