Delish Chicken Noodle Soup

 Ingredients:

Leftover chicken (bones, skin, and meat)

2 large carrots, diced

4 stalks celery, diced

1/2 large sweet onion, diced

4 cups water

1 cup V8 tomato juice

1 can chicken broth (14.5 oz)

1 tablespoon “Better Than Bouillon” roasted chicken base

Salt, to taste

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

2 cups egg noodles

Instructions:

Prepare the Broth: Place the leftover chicken (bones, skin, and meat) into a large pot and cover with 4 cups of water. Simmer until the meat falls off the bones. Remove the chicken, shred the meat, and set aside. Discard bones and skin.

Cook the Vegetables: Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion to the pot with the broth. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes.

Add Flavor: Stir in the V8 tomato juice, chicken broth, and “Better Than Bouillon” roasted chicken base. Season with salt and parsley flakes. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Return Chicken and Add Noodles: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add the egg noodles and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.

Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade chicken noodle soup!

Notes for Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Chicken Preparation: If you have leftover cooked chicken without bones, you can skip simmering the chicken with bones. Just add diced or shredded cooked chicken directly to the soup.

Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like peas, corn, or green beans for extra flavor and nutrition.

Tomato Juice: V8 adds a rich, tangy flavor, but you can use regular tomato juice or omit it if preferred. Adjust the seasoning if you reduce or eliminate the tomato juice.

Broth Base: Adjust the amount of “Better Than Bouillon” to your taste. It’s concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Noodle Cooking: To avoid overcooked noodles, add them towards the end of cooking. If storing leftovers, cook noodles separately and add to individual servings to prevent them from becoming mushy.

Seasoning: Taste the soup before serving and adjust salt and spices as needed. Homemade broth can vary in saltiness.

Storage: Store soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the soup without noodles. Add freshly cooked noodles when reheating.

Thickening: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a slurry of cornstarch and water or use a potato masher to slightly mash some of the vegetables.

Herbs: Fresh herbs like thyme or dill can be added for extra flavor. Add them during the last few minutes of cooking.

Adjusting Acidity: If the soup tastes too acidic from the tomato juice, balance it with a pinch of sugar or a splash of cream.