Have you ever wondered if chicken soup really does have medicinal effects against colds and the flu? Me too. Recently, I decided to find out.
Here’s what I learned: There’s some scientific evidence to suggest that homemade chicken soup contains several ingredients that affect the body’s immune system. Dr. Stephen Rennard of the University of Nebraska Medical Center says that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe sore throats and ease the misery of colds and flu. And that’s good enough for me.
But here’s the problem as I see it: Typically, it takes a long time to turn out a pot of homemade chicken soup. And when you’re sick or someone you love is ailing, the chances are slim that you'll find 3 or more hours to make soup.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Servings: 6 to 8- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 whole chicken, about 3 1/2 pounds
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 2 quarts boiling water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups (3 ounces) wide egg noodles
- 1 carrot, roughly chopped
- 1 rib celery, roughly chopped
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large stock pot or other large pot. Once very hot, drop in half of the chicken pieces, and sauté until brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove to a bowl and repeat with the rest of the chicken until all chicken is out and in the bowl.
Add onion to the pot, and sauté over medium-high heat until lightly colored and soft, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes. Find those two breast halves, and set them aside. Return the rest of the chicken to the pot. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.
Increase heat to high; add boiling water, chicken breasts, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Bring back to simmer. Cover, and barely simmer until breasts are cooked, about 20 minutes. The dark broth will be extra rich and flavorful.
Remove the breasts from the pot, and set aside. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin, and shred the breast meat from the bones. Discard skin and bones. Strain broth into a separate pot, and discard the solids. All of the goodness has been cooked from the rest of the chicken, so you aren’t being wasteful. Skim fat for later use in other recipes, or discard. Return the clear broth to the pot with the shredded chicken. Bring back to a boil.
In a small skillet, sauté the chopped carrot and chopped celery in 1 tablespoon of oil. Add to the pot along with the egg noodles, and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Adjust with salt and pepper as necessary, and serve.
To your health!
