Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing quite makes you feel better than a big cozy blanket wrapped around you and the scent of homemade chicken noodle soup wafting through from the kitchen. Since it is not always possible for mom to be in the kitchen just when we need her, this recipe will help make it easy to bring the home-cooking flavors to you.

Several years ago, we were living in California and I came down with a bad cold with achey ears, sore throat, and sinus pressure. I wanted to curl up in bed and have my Mom bring me milk toast, special tea, and chicken noodle soup. But she was 3,000 miles away so I went to the grocery store with my mobile phone at my ear listening to my Mom tell me what to get. I then sniffled my way home and with her instruction chopped, diced, and combined the ingredients into my slow cooker then let it cook to perfection while I sipped my mug of special tea under a big blanket on the sofa. Nothing quite makes you feel better than a big cozy blanket wrapped around you and the scent of homemade chicken noodle soup wafting through from the kitchen. Mom checked in on my throughout the day by email (not wanting to wake me if I was sleeping). Within a few hours, I had a huge pot of the best homemade chicken noodle soup ever.

Chicken soup has a long history of being associated with comfort and nurturing, and the simple act of having a warm bowl of soup can be a source of comfort and emotional support during times of illness. And we all know chicken soup is nicknamed ‘Jewish Penicillin’. Chicken soup contains both liquid and salt, which can help to keep you hydrated and replace fluids lost due to sickness, while also providing essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals, which can help to boost your immune system and provide energy. Of course, the warmth of the soup can help to soothe and relax the body, and the steam from the soup can help to clear nasal passages. Mmmm.

In hindsight, making chicken soup from scratch wasn’t a great use of my energy that day, but it made me feel better and gave my Mom a chance to get off the bench and play an inning, so to speak. Since it is not always possible for Mom to be in the kitchen just when we need her, this recipe will help make it easy to bring the home-cooking flavors to you. I’ve adapted it to work with the slow cooker for ease.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

(Makes six bowls)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bulb of crushed fresh garlic
1 red onion, sliced
1 lb. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped coarsely (substitute with white cannellini beans for vegetarian)
6 cups Chicken broth (substitute with vegetable broth for vegetarian)
2 large carrots, halved lengthwise then sliced to half-circle shapes
1 small or medium fennel, sliced
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon celery salt
6 ounces very fine egg noodles (or you can make matzo balls if you have the energy)

Warm olive oil over medium heat then add fresh garlic and onions. Once heated, put chicken in and stir to sear lightly. Pour in the chicken broth and add the carrots, fennel, ginger, and salt. Cover and slow cook for 2 hours.
Add carrots and fennel – cook for one additional 2 hours on high.
About 5–10 minutes prior to serving, add the egg noodles to the crockpot. Cook for the time directed on the egg noodle bag. Serve hot.