Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (from scratch!)

Serves 6 · via recipetineats.com

Recipe video above. A classic version made from scratch using a whole chicken. It's light yet full of flavour that you can't get using store bought chicken broth!

Ingredients

• / 3.5 lb whole chicken )
• of garlic
• carrots
• celery ribs
• onions
• black peppercorns
• bay leaves
• thyme sprigs )
• water )
• olive oil
• onion
• garlic cloves
• carrots
• celery ribs
• shredded chicken )
• / 2 quarts homemade chicken broth )
• / 6 oz egg noodles or pasta of choice )
• Vegeta or other stock powder )
• black pepper
• thyme sprigs
• bay leaf
• Finely chopped parsley )

Method

1. Place the chicken in a large pot. Add remaining Broth ingredients, then add enough water so the chicken is just covered (too much water = weak broth). 
2. Cover with lid, bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Then adjust heat so it's simmering GENTLY with the lid on. Simmer 1.5 hours until chicken is tender and easily comes off the bone. (Or 8 hours on low in a slow cooker)
3. Scoop scum off surface once or twice during first 30 minutes.
4. Transfer chicken to pan. Shred meat and discard bones. You'll only need half the chicken meat, save the rest for another purpose.
5. Remove carrots, celery etc from broth, and discard. Optional: Chop carrot and celery, add back into soup with chicken. (Note 5)
6. Optional: Refrigerate soup for a few hours until the fat sets, then scoop the fat off the surface (I do this, healthier & makes soup clearer).
7. Heat oil in a large pot over medium meat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots, cook for 5 minutes until softened and a bit sweet, don't let them brown.
8. Turn heat up to medium high. Gently pour 8 cups broth in (top up with water if necessary), leaving behind residue settled in the bottom of the broth pot. 
9. Add Vegeta (stock powder), thyme, bay leaf and pepper. Stir.
10. When it starts bubbling, add noodles/pasta. Cook for time per packet MINUS 2 minutes. Stir gently only once or twice (Note 6).
11. Add half the chicken, stir (it warms quickly), then season with salt and pepper to taste - season well!
12. Serve soup immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.