Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cleaned and cut into pieces
- 8 cups water
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup uncooked egg noodles or rice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, add the chicken pieces and cover them with 8 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim off any foam that rises to the top.
2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot with the chicken. Stir well and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
3. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Remove the bay leaves from the pot as well.
4. Using a slotted spoon, take out the cooked vegetables from the pot and transfer them to a separate bowl. Discard the bay leaves.
5. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the broth and discard it.
6. If you prefer a clear broth, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pot. Otherwise, you can leave the vegetables in the broth for added flavor and texture.
7. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding the bones and skin.
8. Bring the strained broth (or the original broth if you chose not to strain it) back to a simmer over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.
9. Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and uncooked egg noodles or rice. Let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the noodles or rice are tender.
10. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
11. Ladle the hot and comforting chicken soup into serving bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and added freshness.
12. Serve the chicken soup immediately and enjoy its heartwarming flavors.
This chicken soup is not only delicious but also a great comfort food, perfect for warming up during chilly days or whenever you need a comforting meal. Feel free to adjust the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or herbs to make it your own signature chicken soup. Enjoy!
