Quick & Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

What is better on a cold night than some homemade chicken noodle soup? Nothing!

Some people will shy away from making it because it takes so long to prep the vegetables, but this recipe has the option to do either. 99% of the time, I would peel and cut up all of the vegetables to have real homemade soup, but today I just didn't have the time.

I never really liked the chicken noodle soup that my mom made when I was a kid. It just didn't have enough flavor, which is why I like this one so much.

I found this recipe in the Abs Diet for Women book. The original recipe only takes an hour to make, but you can let it simmer for as long as you like. So, lets get started.

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Source: Adapted from: The Abs Diet for Women
Servings: 8-10 cups
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Ingredients:

• 1 oven roasted rotisserie chicken
• 2 bags frozen mixed vegetables*
• 2 heaping tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 bag egg noodles
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 box chicken stock (I use Nature's Promise)
• 1 box chicken broth (I use Nature's Promise Low Sodium)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chicken seasoning (I use McCormicks)
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon sage
• salt and pepper to taste

*If you want to use fresh/canned vegetables, you'll need the following:

• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 cans of corn, drained
• 2 cans of french cut green beans, drained
• 4 stalks celery, chopped

Simmer the vegetables in a skillet with oil for 5-7 minutes or until they are al dente.

Directions:
1. Pull all of the meat and skin off of the chicken and put into a large pot.
2. Pour in the chicken stock and broth. The stock is much saltier than the broth but it really brings out the flavor in the soup.
3. Add in all of the vegetables and garlic and stir to mix well.
4. Add in the spices and bay leaves.
5. Bring to a boil, stirring every few minutes and then reduce to a simmer.
6. Let soup simmer for 1 hour or as long as you like, stirring every so often.
7. Cook egg noodles as directed on the package.
8. Fish out the bay leaves and chicken skin and throw away.
9. Mix soup and egg noodles in individual bowls and serve.

Yup, it really is that easy. I forgot to buy celery today at the store and since the bag of mixed vegetables came with peas, I figured it was good enough.