tips for making the ultimate chicken noodle soup

One of my favorite meals growing up was my mom's home-made chicken noodle soup.

It was hearty, flavorful, and delicious!

I've tried many chicken noodle soups over the years, but none of them compare to hers. I'm sure that many of us feel the same way about our mom's soup.

As my palate has changed and matured over the years, I've added carrots, onions, celery, and herbs to the original soup recipe . . . making it even more flavorful.

It's still one of my all-time favorite comfort dishes!

Chicken noodle soup is also one of my favorite dishes to share with friends when they're in need of comfort.

One of my friends recently had a baby, so I brought her and her sweet family a big pot of soup and home-made bread . . . and just a few weeks after that our dear friend lost his mom, so we surprised him and his family with a comforting pot of soup and home-made bread, as well .

There's something heartfelt about sharing comfort foods with friends. 

We all have a unique twist on home-made chicken noodle soup, and I thought that I would share  a few tips on making my version  . . .

    .     .     .     .     .    

home-made chicken stock

saute the carrots, onions, and celery 

add rotisserie chicken 

top with fresh herbs like Italian flat-leaf parsley

use fresh pasta!
Cast Iron pot

.     .     .     .     .

Home-made chicken stock
Great soup starts with home-made stock! If you've ever had soup made with home-made stock, then you would agree that nothing compares to it. Home-made stock gives soup incredible depth of flavor and body. You can see how I make my chicken stock here.

I recently learned that adding a splash of dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, to your broth can further deepen the flavor. I haven't tried this yet, but I'm excited to add a splash to my next batch!

Saute vegetables first
Saute your vegetables in a little olive oil and butter before adding them to your broth, and remember to season with salt & pepper, too. Sauteing them caramelizes them to a perfect tenderness, adding more flavor to your vegetables . . . and ultimately, the broth.

Rotisserie Chicken
Save some time and buy a rotisserie chicken from your local market to add to your soup. Rotisserie chicken is moist, tender, and flavorful.  Add the shredded chicken to your soup just before serving. It will help ensure that the chicken stays tender and moist. No one likes dry, stringy chicken in their soup!

Use fresh pasta!
I buy fresh frozen pasta called Grandma's Egg Noodles for my chicken noodle soup. Grandma's is an exceptional alternative to making your very own home-made pasta. Fresh pasta is a natural thickening agent, which creates a heartier soup.  Grandma's Egg Noodles aren't easy to find. So far, I've only been able to find them at an Albertson's market near my mom's house (50 miles North).  She buys several for me at a time, and then I keep them in my freezer for when I want to make soup for my family and friends (Thanks, Mom!); but you can check out their website to see if your local market sells them.

Top with fresh herbs
Don't forget about the power of fresh herbs! They add a delightful freshness to any dish. So be sure and have chopped Italian flat leaf parsley on hand to sprinkle over your soup.

And finally, cook your soup in a cast iron pot!

Never under-estimate the power of sauteing and cooking in a seasoned cast iron pot. There's something magical about cooking in one. So be sure and saute your vegetables and cook your soup in one for great flavor and a nostalgic look and feel . . . for food is an experience for all the senses, right!?

Do you have any special tips for making the 

ultimate chicken noodle soup?

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