Ingredients:
For the Soup:
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (optional, for chicken noodle soup)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (if not using chicken)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups egg noodles (or your choice of noodles)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Optional: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra flavor
Instructions:
For Chicken Noodle Soup:
1. Cook the Chicken (skip this step for a vegetarian version):
- Place the chicken breasts in a pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken, let it cool, and shred it into bite-sized pieces.
For the Soup (continue for both versions):
2. Sauté Vegetables:
- In a large soup pot, heat the vegetable oil (if not using chicken) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Add Broth:
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. If you’re making chicken noodle soup, add the shredded chicken back to the pot.
4. Season:
- Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper to taste. Add a bay leaf for added flavor.
5. Simmer:
- Bring the soup to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
6. Cook Noodles:
- While the soup is simmering, cook the noodles separately according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
7. Remove Bay Leaf:
- Discard the bay leaf from the soup.
8. Add Noodles:
- Just before serving, add the cooked noodles to the pot.
9. Serve:
- Ladle the hot noodle soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
10. Optional: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra flavor.
11. Enjoy your homemade noodle soup! It’s a comforting and versatile dish that can be customized with your favorite ingredients. Serve it as a meal or a soothing remedy when you’re under the weather.