Sunday, March 1, 2015

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  . . .
    .     .     .     .     .    
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?




LET'S STAY in touch!








Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated HouseMod Vintage LifeLori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGableAn Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Karen's Up on the HillThree Kids and a FishBetween Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed ContessaA Stroll Thru Life,Life With GarnishElizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern StyleThe Recipe CriticJanine HuldieCarolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage Chic California, Lamberts LatelyLive Laugh RoweSweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life.Posed PerfectionKatherine's CornerNancherrowThe Freshman Cook,  Jann OlsonHome  Maid SimpleAnderson + Grant,  Rooted in ThymeEveryday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with Curls



21 comments:

  1. Oh it certainly does look like an awesome comfort food dish. Perfect for a cold winter's night :-)

    Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.

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  2. Looks delicious! I've been trying to perfect my chicken noodle soup recipe. I think homemade stock is probably the key. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. What a thoughtful friend you are.

    I have started making my soup with rotisserie chicken and it is delish. I want to try your splash of wine tip.

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  4. Mmmmmm, that looks yummy. Susan

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  5. It seems I found your blog just in time :-) Winter is coming to and end around here but it is still very much soup season and I'm going to try all your good advice. This soup looks delicious.
    Amalia
    xo

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  6. This looks wonderful and very comforting. I always use rotisserie chicken in my soup because it is so flavorful and moist. I'm probably going to make some this week as we are expecting more snow. Nothing like soup and bread on a cold day! :)

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  7. It's a chicken noodle soup kind of night here. '-)
    Think I'll make this!

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  8. It's true-nothing compares to Mom's soup. However, you have some great tips, like sautéing the veggies, that I will be adding to my recipe. Yum!

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  9. These are some awesome tips!! Thanks for sharing ;)

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  10. Nothing is better than homemade chicken soup, yours looks amazing! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? :)

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  11. Loved my moms homemade chicken soup as well. she had a signature way of serving it. After putting the soup into the bowl she topped it with a dab of butter and the she placed a hard boiled egg cut in half on top and sprinkled with S&P. Yum! It is so yummy and I do the same thing. I always make homemade noodles to add to mine. Your recipe wounds and looks delicious as well. Love the idea of adding the herbs! Nothing like homemade chicken stock! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. The ultimate comfort food! Looks so delicious Suzanne!

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  13. Once I'm off the paleo diet, I'm all over this yummy recipe! Visiting from Frugal Crafty Link Party. :)

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  14. This makes me warm just looking at it. Love your tips! Following on Pinterest.

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  15. Pinned!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  16. Anonymous6:21 AM

    Suzanne, this soup really does look very comforting and nourishing. Perfect! Such a sweet thought to make your friends a batch with homemade bread. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!! Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

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  17. Mmmm, I love chicken noodle soup! It's definitely hard to find a really good recipe - but I think this may be it! Pinning! Can't wait to try it! Thanks so much for sharing at Talented Tuesdays!

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  18. Oh yes! One of the best dishes. My kids love it when I make this! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    Sherry

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  19. I think my mom's always came from a can...but I did like it, lol. I haven't had chicken noodle soup in years! For sure trying your recipe, as it sounds scrumptious.

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  20. I've been looking for a good Chicken Noodle Soup recipe and this is perfect! Thank you!

    logancan.com

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  21. Now that's what we call a real chicken noodle soup.
    long stay parking luton

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