Image (2) 4301622895_4405361eee_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

The cast of characters: A whole fryer chicken, carrot, celery, onion (optional; I didn’t use it)…

Image (3) 4302371464_a04935d5db_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And all of this business. I actually prefer using dried parsley flakes for this soup. One of the few circumstances where fresh isn’t necessarily preferred.

Image (4) 3554264376_1e761d81fc_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Now. You can certainly make your own noodles. They’re a cinch. If that’s the way you want to go, just cut them shorter than these if you do take this purely homemade route.

But.


homemade chicken and noodlespinterest
The Pioneer Woman

But here’s where the “homemade” part of this recipe is in finger quotes, because I’m going to give you permission to use these. Let me tell you, my friends, if you haven’t ever used Reames frozen egg noodles, you’re missing out on one of the best store-bought, prepackaged foods there is.

Ingredients: flour, water, and eggs. That’s it.

I’ve made my own noodles, and I’ve used Reames. And I’d serve Reames to guests every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

***This is not a paid advertisement for Reames Egg Noodles, for Lord’s sake.***

Image (6) 4302373836_2e0cfbf7f9_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

To my utter discontent, however, Reames recently changed their packaging. I hate it when products change their packaging; it makes me feel forlorn and lonesome, and I feel a sense of loss for the old look.

But they taste the same. And that’s a very, very good thing.

Image (7) 4302372654_6dbb1eb000_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Okay! Let’s get the party started. Throw the chicken pieces into a pot.

Image (8) 4301624859_4211203306_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Cover the chicken with about 4 quarts of water…

Image (9) 4301625147_3cea5c08d4_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And bring the pot to a boil.

Image (10) 4302374154_352b16d994_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

When the water comes to a boil, turn the heat to low. Simmer the chicken for 30 minutes.

Image (11) 4302374764_c21d101fbe_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

After 30 minutes, remove the chicken from the pot with a slotted spoon. Keep the broth simmering on low.

Image (12) 4302375064_cfdd5f901a_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Grab a couple of forks…

Image (13) 4302375298_9d915e2576_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And use the forks to pull the meat off the bones. It should pretty much be done; if there’s a little pink or red left, don’t worry—it’s going back in the pot later.

Image (14) 4302376030_0636d1c885_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Continue with all the chicken pieces, pulling as much of the meat off the bones as you can, slightly shredding the meat in the process. Cover the meat and set aside or stick in the fridge.

Image (15) 4302375464_65ec298b64_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

As you remove the meat, return the bones to the broth.

Image (16) 4301630709_c70f7e8348_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Simmer the bones for 45 minutes on low (you can be more thorough getting the meat off than I was. Sorry. Lazy.)

Image (17) 4301628259_4d9f05c5d6_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

While the bones are simmering, dice up some carrots.

Image (18) 4301628567_e9e147862f_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Lop off the tips…

Image (19) 4302376910_8443ca7bf7_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Then cut them in half, lengthwise.

Image (20) 4302377154_1385e114cf_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Lay them all with the cut side down…

Image (21) 4302377494_f33589ae6a_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And cut each half in three long slices.

Image (22) 4302377780_96c4284a7c_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Then slice across the carrots to create a dice.

Image (23) 4302378048_cce380aa01_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Easy as pie! I like to keep the dice pretty large because:

a) I love cooked carrots

and

b) This makes it easier for those who don’t like cooked carrots to pick them out and pipe down

Image (24) 4302378338_bf923f1bd3_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Dice up some celery, too. And include some of the inner stalks with the pretty leaves. That’s my favorite part.

Image (25) 4302378586_3f13c94e6f_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

You can also include a little diced onion, but I like to buck the rules of mirepoix and just go with carrots and celery.

I’m a rebel that way.


Image (26) 4302379052_c509de3745_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Remove the bones from the broth with a slotted spoon, making sure to get any small bones that might have detached. Then throw the carrots and celery into the pot.

Image (27) 4302379270_f4714563ba_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Then use your freaky pink alien hand to add the salt.

Image (28) 4302379506_491c46f9a6_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Next, add turmeric. It adds flavor and color, color, color.

I’ve been on a real turmeric kick lately. Try it sometime! It’s magical.


Image (29) 4301631957_ecfd872105_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Now add ground white pepper. I added quite a bit and it made the dish a little bit peppery/spicy, which we loved. But start sparingly and add more as you like. Also add in the ground thyme, and some of the chicken base if you’d like a little more intense chicken flavor.

But it really shouldn’t need it.


Image (30) 4302380688_8a0005784f_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Finally, add the parsley flakes.

Image (31) 4302380366_4c60ba531f_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Stir this together and let it simmer for another ten minutes, just to let the flavors come together a bit.

Image (32) 4301632873_d6cdc1831b_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Now grab a package of egg noodles. Crank up the heat to compensate for the coldness of the noodles.

Image (33) 4301633147_a1f79b8f1a_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Dump ’em right on in.

Image (34) 4302381526_b03e8674c7_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Stir to separate all the noodles.

Image (35) 4301633685_3bf4f48bcf_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Now throw in the chicken!

It’s starting to get real here, folks.

Image (36) 4301633975_33c5e483b8_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Simmer this on medium-low for eight to ten minutes.

Yum.

Image (37) 4301634829_3945142139_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Now, ten minutes later, this is a delicious, wonderful, scrumptious, hearty chicken noodle soup. Just taste and check the seasonings and serve it in this state if you like.

But that’s not what I’m going for here.


Image (38) 4301635141_6f8ed2f674_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

What I’m going for is thick, beautiful chicken and noodles. Add some water to a little flour…

Image (39) 4302383574_b05019b951_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Stir it together until smooth…

Image (40) 4302383804_e44ebc940e_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest
Image (41) 4302384332_c572b2c4d6_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And pour it into the pot…

Image (42) 4302384628_f32bb8b064_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Let it simmer for five additional minutes, or until the broth thickens. Feel free to add a little more flour/water if needed, or if it gets too thick, add a little water.

Image (43) 4302385360_f3b78f3a39_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Mmmm. You know you’re about to eat something yummy when the sides of the pot look like this.

Image (44) 4301640995_405eaf2162_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And when the contents of the pot look like this.

Image (45) 4302388790_604a5ed88c_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

Oh dear. This is comfort food. This is home.

Image (46) 4302386520_77c7f94b50_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

This is what happens…

Image (47) 4301638683_d2046f4515_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

When my daughter sticks her spoon in the pot while I’m trying to take photos.

Image (48) 4301639101_fdcc976a56_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

I bring out The Claw.

Image (49) 4302387712_e1b09013bd_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And The Claw scratches and squeezes until the twelve-year-old punk whimpers and runs away.

And awww—look how cute! Matching mother-daughter alien hands!

Look. It’s a photography thing. Exposure and all that stuff. In order to properly expose the darker contents of the pot, my hand is always pink and freaky and bright white.

I’ll cover it sometime on Pioneer Woman Photography. It’s too painful for me to discuss here.


Image (50) 4302388020_ffb4524853_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And anyway, I let her come back and have a bite.

I charged her five bucks, though.


Image (1) 4302390134_8a04478597_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And then I went ahead and took a bite.

Image (51) 4301642033_f8c2be2b6d_o.jpg for post 9895pinterest

And at that brief moment in time, everything was right in the world.

Enjoy this! It’s what life is all about.