This fall and winter, the recipes most likely to make it into our meal rotation were chilis and soups. We were busy bees and I loved being able to cook one delicious meal that would feed us for a week or longer. These dishes did the trick and continue to feed us when I pull leftovers from the freezer. Score!
We’ve had an unseasonably warm winter here in New England, and I’m not complaining. If this week’s temps in the 40s and 50s are any indication, spring is right around the corner. With valentine’s day behind us, it’s finally time to gorge on Cadbury mini eggs and Cadbury creme eggs, which just happen to be my favorite.candies.ever. (Tied closely with candy cane Hershey’s kisses!)
As we welcome the warmer weather, we must bid adieu to comfort foods like lasagna soup and chicken pot pie that no longer seem to fit the bill. Pretty soon our stomachs will be craving vegetables and fresh fruits. So until that time comes, I’m purging my archives of soup recipes! These will take you right into the rainy days of March and April when there’s still a chill in the air and you simply want to run home, curl up in your sweats, and enjoy a warm bowl of soup as the rain pounds down. I urge you to whip up a final batch or two for when that day comes. You’ll have to reach no further than your freezer for a tasty meal.
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Adapted from from Can You Stay for Dinner
Prep time: 30 mins, Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour, 30 mins
Yields 8 hearty portions
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, skin removed and meat shredded
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 6 large carrots, chopped
- 3 quarts chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 sprigs parsley, chopped, plus additional for garnish, if desired
- 2 cups cooked ditalini, or other small pasta shape
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- salt & pepper, to taste
Directions
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Prepare your chicken by chopping or shredding meat.
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In a sauté pan, add your olive oil and sauté onions and celery until soft. Add carrots and continue to sauté until tender. Remove from heat.
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Pour your broth into a stock pot and add onions, celery, carrots, bay leaves, thyme and parsley. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
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Let this simmer for 30 minutes, until the veggies are soft. Add the chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
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Stir in cooked pasta and peas. Serve warm, with additional fresh parsley for garnish, if desired.
We had such a mild winter in Ohio too. I’ve already abandoned my treadmill for the running paths! Woot!
I don’t know what it is about ditalini pasta but I’d eat anything with it! This soup looks hearty yet light. yum!
Of all the things I miss since turning vegetarian years ago, it’s a good chicken soup. It just makes you feel sooooo good. Anything with those delightful little pasta pieces, ditalini, is so much more fun to eat.
Oh! That soup looks so comforting! We have chances of snow today, so I would love to eat that tonight!
nothing like classic chicken and noodle soup!!
I love a comforting classic soup! This looks delicious!
I’m not feeling well today, and this post may mysteriously make it’s way to my husbands inbox! “Pleeeeeeease make me some yummy soup!”
Nothing beats the perfect bowl of soup even if it’s a tad on the warm side. I’ll take this kind of winter over what we had last year though!
I totally feel you on the is-it-even-winter? winter. Here in central Florida, it was cold for like 10-12 minutes. Soup is always a winner in my book though, and this looks great!
What a classically delish looking chicken noodle soup Liz! I’d love a bowl of this right now, even though it’s only morning.
Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend.
I can eat soup any time of the year…any time of the day. I LOVE it. Craig’s used to not be a big fan of soup, but I have finally convinced him that it is probably one of the best types of foods ever
There’s juts nothing more comforting than a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Looks lovely, I adore the peas that you added!
So much better than the canned stuff. Looks delish
We have been having unseasonably warm weather too in Michigan. Today we actually got some snow but it was too warm so the roads were very slushy. Chicken noodle soup is my go to soup when I am in the mood to eat comfort food. I made some for my kids on Valentines day but w/ heart shaped carrots. Have a great weekend!
That’s funny…I consider it cold here today and it’s 60degrees. I am ready for the hot weater, but this bowl of soup would be perfect here today!
I’m not quite ready to give up on my soup recipes yet – but I am wondering how to sneak them all in with this crazy warm weather! This soup is a classic – and one I must revisit – see now you’re just adding things to my list!
I love to eat soup year round, but especially in the winter. This looks like the perfect comforting soup!
perfect for just about any day of the week!
I was juuuust thinking about my desperate need for some good ole chicken soup! definitely need to make some soon!
Yummy looking soup! We’ve had a really mild winter as well, but I’ve still been all about soups! And at least we have through rainy season to enjoy them!!