Sarasota's Easy Chicken Soup

"Now, I have probably too many versions for chicken soup ... My favorite ... fresh vegetables, stock and herbs taking hours to make my own roasted stock, slow cooked and fresh made pasta. Well, I love it and for a special night, I actually go through all that work. But, working full time, that opportunity just doesn't come around that often. So version #2. Now, I normally don't like packaged seasoning, and frozen foods are usually as a last resort, but hey...we all have a life, jobs, family and sometimes... shortcuts just have to be made and this is one. The best part is you can make the chicken ahead, and then put the soup together in 20 minutes. For a quick soup, this is really good. Now you can always use the seasoning and add add fresh vegetables if you want, but this is my version of a homemade tasting soup in less time than it takes to go get take out. Make some grilled cheese sandwiches or some ham and cheese and you have a great comfort food dinner. And a bonus, you have enough chicken leftover to make chicken salad sandwiches for the next day or chicken for another meal. Not a bad deal!"
 
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Ready In:
22mins
Ingredients:
15
Yields:
8-10 Bowls of soup
Serves:
8
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ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken, cut up we will use 1/2 for the soup and save the other 1/2 for another dinner (I just buy a whole cut up chicken and really don't pay attention to the weight, I just use what I ha)
  • 8 cups chicken broth (2 boxes, 1 quart each)
  • 1 (1 lb) bag frozen mixed vegetables, I use Birds Eye Classic but use any vegetables you like (corn, peas, beans and carrots)
  • 2 cups mushrooms (now since this is my quick soup, I use frozen sliced mushrooms, many brands available, or you can us)
  • 1 12 cups frozen onions, you can always add a rib of celery diced if you want (now if your store has a blend of onions, red peppers and celery which mine does, get that. I love ce)
  • 1 (3 1/2 ounce) jar pimientos
  • good seasons garlic herb seasoning mix (I prefer the Garlic Herb, but if you can find it, the Italian Herb will just work)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (NOTE ... If you use the Garlic Herb Seasoning you don't need to add garlic. I add the garlic if I us)
  • 8 -12 ounces egg noodles (I like lots of noodles, but start with 1/2 package and add more if you like, as I do)
  • 1 medium onion, cut in quarters
  • 14 cup fresh parsley
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper
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directions

  • Sounds like a lot, but it is so easy. Well, I make the chicken usually the day ahead and remove from the broth and then cut it up. One less step to do when you make your soup.
  • I shred or chop it all up and use about 1/2 - 2/3's for the soup and save the rest for quesadillas, sandwiches, chicken salad or a topping for a quick salad. Just depends how much chicken you want to add to your soup. That is totally up to you.
  • Chicken -- Add the broth, chicken, the medium onion cut in quarters and bay leaves to a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer on low for about 1 1/2 hours until the chicken is tender, falling off the bone. That is it. Don't stir, don't cover, just let it cook. Remove the chicken and let cool. Once it is cool, remove the chicken from the bone and chop or shred. Save part of it for the soup and the rest for another dinner or sandwiches. Anything you want.
  • I take the broth and pour it over a strainer to get rid of any bits, seasoning, fat, bones, onions etc. Just store in the refrigerator in a covered bowl for the soup.
  • Soup Base -- Now when you are ready to make the soup - it goes together it just minutes. In a large pot, add the olive oil and saute the frozen onion, celery and pepper mix (or just onions), celery optional if you want to add more, mushrooms, extra garlic if you want, pimentos and chicken. Just cook a minute. Then add the chicken stock or broth, Good Seasons seasoning packet, frozen vegetables and cook 10 minutes. Check for salt and pepper and add parsley and noodles (I like lots of noodles in mine). Cook another 10 minutes until the noodles are done.
  • Dinner! I know it isn't fresh vegetables. But I'll dare you to try it and then say you didn't like it. It will not top homemade with all fresh herbs and vegetables, but -- this is pretty tasty for a quick dinner as well as good on the wallet too.
  • And -- don't forget, you have leftovers from the soup and chicken for another dinner. Chicken spaghetti, quesadillas, tacos, BBQ chicken sandwiches with melted monterey jack cheese or paninis. Or add to Mac and Cheese with some broccoli and white cheddar for a great quick dinner. Two meals in one plus leftovers.

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>
 
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