Quick and Easy Chicken Soup

When you’re sick with a cold or the flu, is there anything better than chicken soup to help make you feel better? I don’t think so. Certainly there are other times when chicken soup is a great meal – such as a cold, rainy night in early March when you’re dying for Spring. But when you’re sick, chicken soup is only outdone by having your mom come and make it for you.

And, guys, if your lady is sick, it is most decidedly Not Manly to have your mom come and make the soup. If you’re a real man, you do all the things your lady would do for you when you’re sick. Fluff your pillows, bring you pain meds and beverages, let you watch stupid movies she hates, even though Ellen is on. And she’d make you chicken soup. So, when she’s sick, let her watch Ellen. And make her some chicken soup.

This recipe is the quick and easy version. For some people, this is the absolute best recipe when they’re sick, because it’s so basic and homey. It’s serious Comfort Food without any extra stuff. It’s also great because it takes the least amount of time to get done. Just pick up a rotisserie chicken when you go out to get her ginger ale (great for upset stomach) and a Get Well card. The rest is easy.

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken
Olive oil
1 large onion
3 stalks of celery
4 large carrots
4 quarts chicken broth
Pepper

Instructions:

When you bring the chicken home, let it sit on the counter until it’s cool enough to handle easily.

Now for the Manly (messy) task: pulling the meat. Use your hands and remove as much of the meat as you can. Toss out any skin pieces and “uglies” you find – they’ll just make your soup look ugly.

Place pulled chicken in the fridge until ready to use. If you’re moving straight into cooking, just leave it on the counter.

Chop onion, carrots and celery to pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until onion is tender and starts to turn transparent.

Preheat your largest pot over medium heat. When hot, add olive oil and heat until it shimmers.

Add broth to pot.

If you haven’t already done so, pull chicken into bite-size pieces, then add to pot.

Add pepper to taste.

Let pot simmer for at least 15 minutes, longer if you can. The longer it all simmers, the more everything gets to know everything else really well, and get really, really happy.

If desired, cook noodles or other pasta (one pound should do it) to just al dente. The noodles should still be firm, not mushy. Do your best to have them ready just before you serve, so they don’t have to sit.

To serve, place a small amount of noodles in each bowl and spoon soup over the top.

Remember to add a lot of extra love while your making this. If you don’t know how to do that, just think really positive thoughts while you’re cooking, OK? It helps. Seriously.

Play with your food!

Lane

Check out more Chicken recipes here.
Check out more Soup recipes here.

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