Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients

Broth

• 3.5lb whole chicken
• 1 head garlic, cut in half horizontally
• 2 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 celery ribs, cut into chunks
• 2 onions, peeled and cut into quarters
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 thyme sprigs (or  1 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves)
• 9-10 cups water

Soup

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, cut into quarters lengthwise then chopped
• 2 celery ribs, cut into 1/2" think pieces
• 2 cups shreaded chicken (from the broth)
• 2 quarts chicken broth (above)
• 6oz egg noodles (or other pasta)
• 2-3 tsp stock powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 thyme sprigs (optional)
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• Finely chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Broth

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)
3. Scoop scum off surface once or twice during first 30 minutes.
4. Transfer chicken to pan. Shred meat and discard bones.
5. Remove carrots, celery etc from broth, and discard. Optional: Chop carrot and celery, add back into soup with chicken.
6. Optional: Refrigerate soup for a few hours until the fat sets, then scoop the fat off the surface.

Soup

1. 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.
2. 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. 
3. Add stock powder, thyme, bay leaf and pepper. Stir.
4. When it starts bubbling, add noodles/pasta. Cook for time per packet MINUS 2 minutes. Stir gently only once or twice.
5. Add chicken, stir (it warms quickly), then season with salt and pepper to taste - season well!
6. Serve soup immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

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