Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing beats a piping hot bowl of healthy chicken noodle soup with saltines when you're not feeling good. There is always a feeling of nostalgia as I lift the first spoonful to my mouth. This recipe takes time but makes a homemade chicken broth that will quickly move it to the top of your recipe book this fall.

Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Soup Ingredients

• 1 5-6 pound roasted chicken carcass
• 3 large carrots, roughly chopped
• 3 large celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 2 medium yellow onions, roughly chopped
• 4-5 large cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 T. dried oregano
• 1 T. dried parsley
• 1 T. dried thyme
• 1 T. whole black peppercorns (or ½ t. ground pepper)
• 1 t. coarse sea salt
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 12 c. water

The difference in flavor between homemade broth and store-bought varieties is undeniable. For best results, use a large stock pot for this recipe. If you do not have one, use a large (6-quart or larger) Dutch oven or similar pot. If using a 6-quart pot for this recipe, stir more frequently to ensure exposed parts are submerged during the cooking process.  

Chicken Soup Recipe Directions

1. Place the chicken carcass into a large stock pot, then add the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic around the chicken. Sprinkle oregano, parsley, thyme, peppercorns, salt, and bay leaves on top.
2. Add water and bring to a rapid boil over high heat, then immediately reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 3½ – 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. When the meat is falling off the bone, remove it from heat. Carefully strain the contents of the pot to separate the liquids and solids. Reserve the liquid and the larger pieces of chicken. Store chicken separately in the refrigerator or freezer to stir into soups later and discard the remaining solids.
4. Allow broth to cool and transfer to airtight, freezer-safe containers. Freeze for longer-term storage or store in the refrigerator for several days before using. Enjoy!

Keep in mind that the cooking time on this recipe is four hours but it produces 10 cups of broth! You can easily add your favorite vegetables and noodles to create an epic healthy chicken noodle soup recipe!

Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Course Soup

Servings 10 cups

Ingredients

  

• 1 5-6 pound roasted chicken carcass
• 3 large carrots roughly chopped
• 3 large celery stalks roughly chopped
• 2 medium yellow onions roughly chopped
• 4-5 large cloves garlic peeled and smashed
• 1 T. dried oregano
• 1 T. dried parsley
• 1 T. dried thyme
• 1 T. whole black peppercorns or ½ t. ground pepper
• 1 t. coarse sea salt
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 12 c. water

Instructions

 

• Place the chicken carcass into a large stock pot, then add the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic around the chicken. Sprinkle oregano, parsley, thyme, peppercorns, salt, and bay leaves on top.
• Add water and bring to a rapid boil over high heat, then immediately reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 3½ – 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• When the meat is falling off the bone, remove it from heat. Carefully strain the contents of the pot to separate the liquids and solids. Reserve the liquid and the larger pieces of chicken. Store chicken separately in the refrigerator or freezer to stir into soups later and discard the remaining solids.
• Allow broth to cool and transfer to airtight, freezer-safe containers. Freeze for longer-term storage or store in the refrigerator for several days before using. Enjoy!