Chicken Noodle Soup, For Colder Days & Longer Nights

As Fall settles in and the air gets chilly, one of the first things you want to do is curl up in comfort with a thick bowl of warm soup. You want to just sink into the swirling rich flavors of a hearty chicken broth, filled with chunks of chicken, ham and peppered with peas, carrots, and celery slices.

With a piping hot bowl of soup, you’ll find that you’re brave enough to take in the colder days and longer nights. They’re here to stay for a while, so go ahead, make yourself a big pot of chicken noodle soup. Nothing else will make you feel this good.

Chicken Noodle Soup w/ Ham & Peas

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon oil
I medium onion, sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced carrots
½ pound whole chicken breasts
6 cups chicken broth
¾ cup elbow macaroni
¾ cup cooked ham, cut in cubes
¾ cup frozen green peas
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons scallions, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a deep medium-sized pot, sauté the garlic and onions in the hot oil until onions are transparent. Add the celery and carrots.

2. Add the whole chicken breasts. Then pour the chicken broth. Let this come to a boil and then lower fire to a slow simmer. Let the broth simmer for about 35 minutes or till chicken is cooked. Once chicken breasts are cooked and tender, remove from pot and cut up in small chunks. Return chicken cubes to pot and let simmer some more.

3. Add the ham bits and the elbow macaroni. Let the macaroni cook for about 8 minutes. Then add the milk and green peas. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with scallions and serve hot.

NOTES: This chicken soup keeps in the refrigerator for a few days. If you plan to serve it again after a day or two, add a little more chicken broth and let it quickly boil. Correct seasonings if needed.

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Elizabeth Quirino believes that “food brings the world together.” She loves to cook, develop recipes, photograph & write about her culinary adventures on her 2 blogs Asian in America & The Queen’s Notebook. Outside the kitchen, Elizabeth paints watercolors, reads everything and ends every week with ballroom dancing. For great food stories find her on Facebook and follow Mango_Queen on Twitter.