Thursday, January 7, 2010

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup in the Slow Cooker

Whatever mysterious virus has graced my existence for the last week, has finally found a new patron: The Quiet Man. I made myself an absolute wah-wah baby when I was sick, staying in bed and wailing for frequent cups of cold water and buttered toast. I watched Pride and Prejudice, the BBC version, but on VHS, which means someone has to come and switch the tapes for you every couple of hours, and they'd better be quick about it because I can't bear to be apart from Elizabeth and Darcy. It's amazing how much lung power I still have, even when indisposed.
In contrast, the Quiet Man doesn't ask me for anything at all when he is sick. He heads off to work and holes up in his office to do paperwork, as a sort of self-imposed quarantine. I can't do much for him, except telephone and ask if he is OK. Long pause. "Yes." Are you still sick? Long pause. "Yes." Oh. Darn. Can I do anything for you? Long pause. "No."
But YES, I can do something for him. I can make him old-fashioned chicken noodle soup, a bonafide miracle food for the indisposed. It's good and comforting and it will cure whatever ails you faster than anything you can buy at the pharmacy. And if you make it in the slow cooker, it requires such a minimal amount of attention that you could easily make a steaming serving for anyone in your life who becomes ill this winter season. Ladle a bit into a jar and take it to an ailing neighbor or co-worker. Or stay home and eat it all by yourself. And stay well, while you're at it.
Money Saving Tips: Use bouillion cubes for the broth. You can use bone in skin on chicken; just remove bones and skin after cooking.
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup in the Slow Cooker
Estimated Cost: $ 3.00 for 4-6 servings
3 cups water
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken (toss it in frozen, if you like)
3 carrots,peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, peeled and diced
1 large onion, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, or 1 heaping teaspon dried
pinch of dried rosemary
pinch of dried thyme
2 ounces egg noodles, or broad pasta noodles
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Add all ingredients to the slow cooker EXCEPT the noodles. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours. Remove chicken from pot and shred; return to pot. Add noodles for last 30 minutes of cooking. Taste soup and add salt and pepper to taste.
Next Up:
Creamy Potato Soup in the Slow Cooker

18 comments:

Amanda said...

Sounds deliciously comforting my friend! :)

The JR said...

That could cure any illness known to man!

Katie and Mark said...

Oh Prudy! This one sounds SO simple and delicious! Now, I cannot wait until one of us get sick! ;)

Liz said...

Oh thank you- I was just going to look for a chicken noodle soup recipe to throw in the crock pot for this week. I can't wait to try it!

Seth and Julie said...

I would make this tonight. It is snowing and this just looks like it would fit in to the picture I have of this Winter day. But...I don't have any celery or carrots and I am not taking my car ice skating to get some. So, I will just look at the picture and dream. Oh, and add it to my menu for next week, of course.

I love crock pot recipes, can't wait to see what's next. Thanks for another good one.

Julie Harward said...

NOTHING BETTER THAN HOME MADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP! THIS LOOKS SO GOOD..THANKS! COME SAY HI :D

Unknown said...

That looks absolutely divine! I love homemade chicken noodle soup. (My dad and exteneded are disgusting and like to add ketsup to their homemade chicken noodle soup once it is in their bowls...YUCK!)
I am so going to the store and making this for my family for dinner!!! Thanks for the great recipes :)

Adrienne said...

I've never tried chicken noodle soup in the crock pot. Thanks for figuring this out and posting it. To the Quiet Man: get well soon!

gigi said...

Yum! I beleive in the healing powers of Chicken Noodle Soup.
I BELIEVE!

Janssen said...

This looks super good. Thank you! Definitely going on the menu for next week.

Catherine said...

Glad you're feelimg better. The soup looks delicious. If it doesn't make the quiet man better, nothing will! =D

Anonymous said...

Well done you.. it looks classical fabulous. I love chicken noodle soup.. do you just chuck in a whole chicken?

Coby said...

You see this is what *WE* need when we're ill, but there isn't anyone about to make it for us! I hope you froze some for yourself so the next time you're ill, you have a bowlful of 'cure-all' :)

Prudy said...

Girl Japan:
I use boneless skinless chicken breasts, since I'm too lazy to deal with bones and skin. Happy New Year, friend.

Mandy said...

Thank you for all your fabulous recipes. I love your site and got my sister started on it too!

Shelley said...

Mmmm...that sounds wonderful. One of my most favorite memories as a child was my mom making homemade chicken noodle soup (with homemade noodles!). This would be yummy with your Rosemary Focaccia Bread for a nice, cold winter's night.

Alexis said...

We are not sick (knock on wood) but it is cold outside and it feels like a soup day. I have this in my slow cooker right now. It is starting to smell yummy :)

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