“Ahhh, what you need is some chicken noodle soup.”. “Chicken noodle soup will sort you out.”. “Chicken broth is what you need.”. So went the advice from various ‘clucking hens’ (well meaning people) while I spent a week in bed, festering with a chest infection. Unfortunately, when one is bed-bound and feeling rotten, the desire to make this elixir of life tends to be absent. So, given that I’m feeling better and am in no need of it, here’s a straightforward recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup.
Now, if you are used to the packet variety of Chicken Noodle Soup, I recommend you get a chicken stock cube, a tablespoon or two of salt and a packet of pot noodles. Add a litre of hot water and enjoy. This will taste particularly good to you.
If, perhaps you want to move your game further up the food chain, follow my simple and easy recipe. You may even live a little longer too.
Ingredients for my chicken noodle soup
- 1.5 litres of good quality chicken stock
- 4 free range boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Two servings of udon noodles
- 3 cm piece of ginger
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 3 spring onions
- 6 dried Chinese mushrooms
- A head of bok choi
- A green and a red chili
- Chili oil for dressing and a little extra heat
- Salt and pepper to season
I spent a lot of time thinking about this dish while I lay prostrate, looking at the ceiling. First I put the noodles into boiling water to reconstitute them.
I added some hot water to the mushrooms to bring them back to life too.
Next, followed a lot of chopping. I sliced the ingredients up. The ginger and garlic needs to be sliced very small. The spring onions need to be sliced across the grain to give them a nice shape.
I then sliced the chicken into pieces about the same size as the spring onions. The Mushrooms got the same treatment too. I warmed the stock in a saucepan. I added the ginger and garlic then added the sliced chicken.
I simmered the chicken for about ten minutes, to ensure it was cooked. I then added in the soy sauce, the spring onions and the mushrooms.
The noodles went in next. These were warmed through.
I then added a layer of chopped bok choi. This will prevent me getting sick again.
Just like I had previously, this wilted on it’s own. I then tasted, seasoned and served this delicious soup.
This is a really tasty, wholesome and healthy soup. The stock was home made and that is the basis of any good soup. Try it and I suspect it will ward off any potential colds and flu. Even if it doesn’t, it will make you feel better about yourself.
Linda Duffin | 24th November 2015
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I love chicken noodle soup and this is a fine example. Sorry to hear you were sick but glad you’re feeling better. Lx
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Thanks Linda,
It”s the nature of my posting that I work a few weeks in advance. That way, I don’t often get the panic of “What am I going to post today!” This leads to a bit of time shifting in my posting / health related issues. I am fine and have been fine for a few weeks. Your parcel arrived today. Thanks indeed for the range. I am intrigued. I have stuffed it into the fridge for the moment and will revisit when I get a chance to breath. Salmon smoked and resting in the fridge.
Best,
Conor
Linda Duffin | 24th November 2015
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I hope you enjoy it and I’m glad to hear you’re fully recovered. Salmon, yum.
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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To the post office!
mikejon005 | 24th November 2015
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Very interesting. I will definitely try to cook it
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Thanks Mike,
Worth doing, for sure.
Thanks for visiting,
Conor
katechiconi | 24th November 2015
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Chest infections are hell on wheels, and exhausting to boot. I hope you have now made several litres of this potent elixir to keep in the freezer against future (God forbid) events. I feel sure you must be on the mend, or you would not be wielding that cleaver so effectively. My own childhood bronchitis panacea was a large bowl of tomato soup with a poached egg in the bottom and buttered toast for dunking. It’s still my favourite comfort food when I’m beastly with cold.
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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That sounds really excellent Kate. I am well recovered now and back in the game, as they say. I really like the idea of the hidden poacher in the soup. Dunking is essential with tomato soup.
katechiconi | 24th November 2015
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The final bonus is breaking the egg and having the runny yolk and tomato soup mix together. A tiny moment of bliss in the bleak landscape of being unwell…
deirdremagner | 24th November 2015
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Glad to hear you are feeling better, Conor. Whenever I roast a chicken I try to make chicken soup with the “rest”. As they profess in the States, “It cures what ails ya!” As we begin our holiday season with Thanksgiving this week – may you and yours enjoy all the blessings of the Holiday Season!
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Our American customers are all trying to get us to finish out projects this week so they can go home for the season. We will work on over here until Christmas and then take a well earned, if too long, break. Thanks for the good wishes Dierdre. I hope you have a great one.
Best,
Conor
ladyredspecs | 24th November 2015
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Great soup Conor, I make a very similar soup and rate it as my favourite meal. I always feel as if I’ve done myself a huge favour afterwards. Chicken soup id good for body and soul
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Hi Sandra,
I wouldn’t have thought you would be needing the likes of this at this time of year. Your weather must be on the way into summer by now? Still, it is a lovely soup.
ladyredspecs | 24th November 2015
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Even though it’s hot and humid, Asian style noodle soups are a constant. Add some fresh herbs and you’re in Vietnam, some chilli lime and lemongrass, Thailand. If it makes you sweat it keeps you cool😅😅
cookinginsens | 24th November 2015
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Perfect!
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Thanks Rosemary.
I appreciate the brief and cogent comment.
Best,
C
Mad Dog | 24th November 2015
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That sounds like just the job – save a couple of portions in the freezer for emergencies 😉
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Too late for that MD. All gone. I have been busy on the stock making front of late and now have prawn, pork, beef, chicken and even some frozen white and red wine on standby for sauce and soup making over the winter. Happy days!
Mad Dog | 24th November 2015
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You’ll have to make some more, especially for winter colds and flu 😉
Adam | 24th November 2015
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It feeds the body and warms the soul too. Delicious!
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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It did that indeed Adam. The ginger lends a lovely heat to it without making it a fire breather. Worth trying.
OldCountryGirl | 24th November 2015
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This is a nice variation to the classic chicken noodle soup, I like to make! I love all of the ingredients! Thanks!
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Thanks indeed Old Girl!
It is so easy to do, it is more of an assembly than a cooking and is delicious.
Best,
Conor
A Cookbook Collection | 24th November 2015
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Mmmm, Pot Noodle…. Just kidding!
This looks really good Conor. I like the amount of chilli used, you’d never get sick again.
Hope you’re feeling better.
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Well recovered. In fact, this all happened a few weeks ago. Such is the life of the organised blogger! Don’t even joke about the Pot Noodles.
StefanGourmet | 24th November 2015
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Delicious!
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Indeed!
Our Growing Paynes | 24th November 2015
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Great variation on chicken soup. Guaranteed to fight off a cold. Maybe you should freeze some for the next cold!
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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Hi Virginia,
If I had the wit to make enough and then freeze it, then all would be good. I’ll just have to start from scratch again.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all over there.
Best,
Conor
Our Growing Paynes | 24th November 2015
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Cheers! Getting ready to get my bake on. 😊
anotherfoodieblogger | 24th November 2015
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Ugh, so sorry you were under the weather. Your chicken soup looks like a perfect remedy! You should save some in the freezer in case you have a relapse. xoxo
Conor Bofin | 24th November 2015
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I needed to have planned this a bit better. I should have made more and done as you suggest Kathryn. However, I was not in planning mode. Have a great Thanksgiving,
Conor
anotherfoodieblogger | 27th November 2015
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Thank you Conor, it was very nice.
ChgoJohn | 25th November 2015
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Literally moments ago, I finished a bowl of my chicken noodle. When I saw a winter storm was heading our way, I made a pot of stock the day before it arrived on Saturday. Half was frozen as-is and the other was used for my soup. I’m going to save this post for when I thaw that stock. You’ve included a few ingredients that I never have but cannot wait to try. Thanks, Conor. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Conor Bofin | 25th November 2015
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Thanks John,
Well better now. The soup is great as you can chuck almost anything in there.
Have a great Thanksgiving,
Conor
Michelle | 25th November 2015
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That looks almost worth getting sick for. Glad you’re on the mend.
Conor Bofin | 25th November 2015
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Almost Michelle. Well back in the game at this stage.
Debbie Spivey | 25th November 2015
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Now that’s my kind of chicken noodle soup, Conor!
Conor Bofin | 25th November 2015
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Thanks Debbie,
Have a great Thanksgiving up in the Mountain Kitchen.
Debbie Spivey | 25th November 2015
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Thank you! Glad you’re feeling better!
Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward | 25th November 2015
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Lovely dish. Chicken soup is a cook’s penicillin. 🙂
Conor Bofin | 25th November 2015
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Nicely put Shanna. We all need less of the antibiotics. That’s for certain.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.
Best,
C
Mira | 25th November 2015
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Lovely This is a dish that I will be making in the future
Conor Bofin | 25th November 2015
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Thanks Mira,
I hope you enjoy it.
Best,
Conor
Jeff the Chef | 30th November 2015
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This soup looks fantastic. I love the addition of bok choy. Glad you’re on the mend!
Conor Bofin | 30th November 2015
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Thanks Jeff. 100% again.
CrumblesAndKale | 3rd December 2015
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This just looks like pure perfection for a cold winters night!
Conor Bofin | 3rd December 2015
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Hi Petra,
Thanks for this kind comment and thanks for visiting the blog.
Best,
Conor
Martin Byrne | 12th November 2016
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Hi Conor
Another brilliant recipe and it’s on my ever increasing to do list. Methinks we are overdue a meet up. Let’s try for the week of the 21st?
Martin
Conor Bofin | Author | 12th November 2016
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The soup is easy and tasty Martin. Our overdue bite is my fault. I will be in touch today.
Make the soup!
C