The fall here in the Grand Valley is so beautiful, and generally speaking….warm. So far (I hope I didn’t just jinx anything!!)
However, we all know that eventually, the weather outside will be frightful and freaking cold. Here is my families famous chicken soup concoction guaranteed to fill up and warm you up when you need it. We would usually have a pot of it on the stove literally all late fall-to early Spring living at 6400 feet and the kids would eat it all the time and then go back out and play when they were warm. There are not a lot of measurable “have-to’s” in this meal. It’s more of a “have it your way” kind of meal. Here ya go:
Famous Jewish style Chicken Soup (with the option of matzo balls)
The amounts I have listed are to feed about 8 people (obviously increase for larger groups)
Broth:
*4-32 ounce cans of Swanson’s Chicken Broth (No MSG Added. Non-GMO. 100% Natural. No Artificial Ingredients.) (Enough for 8 with, maybe, some leftovers for another day)
*Add copious amounts (totally your choice) of garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, & parsley, chopped green onion, chopped celery and carrots if you desire(my kids and I DON’T like cooked carrots so we didn’t. But you can if you do!!). (You can add or subtract any of the spices or veggies for your family favorites!) This is one GALLON of broth so begin boiling because it may take a while to get there. While that’s happening…or before…
Slice and cube 4-6 chicken breasts (again feeding 8 people) that are copiously seasoned with the previously mentioned spices (you can add or subtract whatever you and your family enjoy), and cook in a good amount of olive oil (you want to have plenty of drippings when this is done cooking, you’ll see why later). Cook at 400 for approx. 45 minutes. You want enough chicken so there is at least one chunk in EVERY spoonful.
When the broth reaches it’s full boil, let sit on a low heat for about 5-10 minutes. Then add 2 bags of “No Yolks” egg noodles. Simmer at a medium low heat (otherwise the noodles fall apart, and it’s not pretty, or very tasty). Add in more spices to the broth, to taste if you choose. (I ALWAYS add more garlic because I am an ITALIAN Jew, more garlic ALWAYS happens!!)
When the chicken is done cooking, immediately add all of it to the broth…and I mean
ALL of it…the chicken, the drippings, the spices…EVERYTHING but the tin foil and the pan! Stir and taste the broth. If there isn’t enough flavor for you yet ADD MORE SPICES, but I highly doubt that once the chicken drippings are added and stirred in, taste….it should be absolutely amazing.
Eat just the way it is, or find your favorite cracker accommodation & go for it!!
***You can add matzo balls or dumplings of some kind with or instead of the noodles if you choose, sometimes we do, but most of the time we don’t. This soup is very hearty as it is. My kids eat bowl after bowl in their favorite PJ’s by the fireplace watching their favorite holiday shows….sometimes they even requested it during the Summer it’s SO good! Enjoy!!
