Well, the time has finally arrived – the first snow storm of the season is heading our way in just under 24 hours – eek!
Ben is THIS EXCITED, as he’s a snow guy and, well, we haven’t seen much of the white stuff ’round these parts in about 2 years. Last winter it snowed approximately three times, accumulating to, like, 6 inches total. This year has been pretty much more of the same, and overall about as balmy as Fall was!
Wait, do you hear that? Oh, right, it’s just the collective snores of hundreds of readers.
Anyways! Since there’s talk of this storm being pretty nasty, with blizzard-like winds and enough snow to finally shake a stick at, I thought I’d whip up a cozy meal to hunker down with over the next couple of days: Homestyle Chicken & Noodles.
Oh yes! Channel your inner lunch lady, and whip up a batch of this thick, creamy, and filling comfort food, chock full of veggies, and one of my favorite ingredients – frozen egg noodles – which turn plump and chewy as they cook. The whole family will love this one!
Start the Homestyle Chicken & Noodles with 2 chicken legs (the thigh + drumstick piece) plus 2 chicken wings. I had a whole chicken, so I used this combo, but you can purchase 3 chicken legs at the store if you don’t have one on hand. Remove the skin then place the chicken in a big, enamel Dutch oven (like the one I’m giving away at the end of this post!)
To the chicken pieces add 3 cups water, 2 cups chicken broth, and a bunch of herbs and seasonings including 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and lots of salt & pepper.
I added the chicken broth in here instead of cooking the chicken in all water because the skin gives the broth a lot of flavor, but adds TONS of fat too. Since we removed it from the chicken, adding pre-made chicken broth kind of evens everything out.
On top of that, add 1 whole onion (chopped if you like onions, left big if you have onion-haters in your family!) 4 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped ribs of celery. Bring the mixture to a boil then place a lid on top of the Dutch oven, turn the heat down, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken meat is falling off the bone.
Remove the chicken and shred it, then add 12oz frozen egg noodles (I used Reames brand) to the broth and veggies, and cook according to package directions. Next, stir in 3/4 cup frozen peas. Ben’s favorite part!
Finally, in a container with a screw-top lid, shake 1 cup milk with 2 Tablespoons flour. Like a polaroid picture.
Drizzle the mixture into the Dutch Oven, let it bubble and thicken for 3-4 minutes, then stir the shredded chicken back in and season with more salt & pepper if necessary.
Let the Chicken & Noodles thicken off the heat for 10 minutes, then you are good to go!
Homestyle Chicken & Noodles
Serves 4-6
Adapted from BHG.com
Ingredients:
2 chicken legs (thigh and drumstick) plus 2 chicken wings with skins removed, (or 3 chicken legs)
3 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
salt & pepper
1 large onion, chopped
4 carrots, peeled & chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
12oz frozen egg noodles (I used Reames)
3/4 cup frozen peas
1 cup skim milk
2 Tablespoons flour
Directions:
- Place chicken in the bottom of a large Dutch oven, or heavy-bottomed pot. Add water, chicken broth, dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, pepper, onion, carrots, and celery. Bring to a boil then place a lid on top, lower heat, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from pot then shred and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add frozen egg noodles to Dutch oven and cook according to package directions. Once tender, stir in peas. In a separate container with a screw-top lid, combine milk and flour then shake to combine. Drizzle into Dutch oven then stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until mixture is thick and bubbly. Add chicken back to the pot then taste and add more salt & pepper if necessary. Let chicken & noodles sit for 10 minutes to thicken before serving.
Homestyle Chicken & Noodles is something I vividly remember being plopped onto my lunch tray at the cafeteria in high school, but let me tell you, this tastes nothing like that! Ok, that was actually oddly delicious back in the day but, although this is thick and hearty, it actually tastes really light and fresh!
Bring on the snow! (Until Christmas day, then, BEAT IT!)
Month of Holiday Giveaways
My Calphalon Dutch oven is one of my prized kitchen possessions. It is such a sturdy piece that I know will last for decades, and is super versatile. Here are a few of my favorite Dutch oven-friendly recipes I’ve made in the past here on IGE:
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa
Chick-fil-A Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Calphalon and I would love for you to get in on the fun, so they’re giving away a Simply Calphalon Enamel Cast Iron 5-qt. Dutch Oven in Red to one IGE reader!
Enter to win this Calphalon Dutch Oven up to 2 ways by using the following widget to enter by 11:59pm central time on Thursday, December 20. Here’s how:
- Enter once by clicking the “+1″ button then clicking “Enter.”
- Enter a second time by pinning the Homestyle Chicken & Noodles dish on Pinterest, then clicking on the second “+1″ button and then clicking “Enter.”
Please note that the widget may take UP TO A MINUTE to load, and that it may not work in Internet Explorer. The winner is chosen at random by Random.org, and will be notified by email after the giveaway has ended.
YES PLEASE!
We’re excited for the first big snow in Denver too. I’m making Real Simple’s Chicken Posole Soup to warm our house but this in on my list for next week….if I can wait that long:).
I loooove how creamy this looks, and it feels so healthy with skim milk and fresh veggies!
That looks wonderful!
I can never see where the +1 button is.
Hey Kim, shoot me an email and we’ll try and get it working for you! iowagirleats@gmail.com
I pinned this even before seeing the contest. This looks tummy warming.
Looks delicious, saw this on Pinterest and HAD to repin. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
On another note, I’m having the same issue as Kim, the +1 is not showing for me, I have tried Chrome and Firefox :/
Let me know if it’s showing up for you now! (and thank you for telling me!
)
Looks so good … will have to experiment with a vegetarian version.
Can you make this recipe without a dutch oven? What about a large pot?
You bet – a heavy-bottomed soup pot should work just fine!
I had already pinned the recipe before I got to the end of the post & to the contest – I got a chuckle out that. Pretty much automatically pin all of your recipes and then put them on the menu for next week because we’ve loved everything of yours that we’ve made. Thanks so much!
Sorry, not looking forward to the upcoming weather in DM (that “S” word is a 4 letter word in our house!).
my mom would love this!
This reminds me of my mom’s recipe…reminds me that i really need to make this!
This looks sooo cozy! And I have that Dutch Oven is on my Christmas list!
Also looking forward to snow! So long as it melts immediately after Christmas and is never seen again (until next year, of course).
This recipe reminds me so much of my Grandmother’s Chicken and Noodles.
This looks so comforting and yummy! It is supposed to snow in Chicago too…I am in denial!
Cant wait until I can make this recipe. I so need a dutch oven!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it!
We live on the eastern side of the state, and NWS said we could get 13 inches
that looks so warm & comforting! like chicken noodle soup, but thicker and stew-ier (?!). thanks kristin!
xo julesinflats.com
I am so excited to finally see some snow! We are not supposed to get as much in my part of Iowa, so I am a bit jealous of you!
Oh the appeal of those pretty pots. I’ve got to just break down and buy one. Do you know if these are made in the US?
Hello,
I am just wondering why you use milk in some recipes and condensed milk in other recipes?
I don’t see a +1 button either.
Ignore above. I would delete if I could. Found it. That widget is REALLY slow at loading.
ya, kristin, i don’t see where i should find the +1 either, i will look for your email addy and let you know that. lovin’ your site here! i happened upon it a short while back and was drawn in as you are in iowa and i’m from minn. transplanted to okla. in 77 tho. keep up the good recipes! i’ve got a dutch oven on my christmas list, but since no one asked me what i wanted (sniff sniff) i’m pretty sure i would hafta win one in order to get one! (love the red color too!)
we’re expecting a foot in madison – super excited!
So many giveaways! Woo. Be safe in the snow storm- can you still leave the house or are you house ridden?
This dish looks just wonderful! I will definitely be making it right after Christmas. Would LOVE to have that red Calphalon to look it in.
I am sorry, but I can’t c the button either. Even when I Pinned it.
Thanks
Having issues with the +1 on my droid… I soooo need a nice pot like this! We ate ready for the snow here west of OMAHA… A green brown lawn is not what I hoped for Christmas! Making this soup after work tomorrow but omitting the peas, no one here seems to like them but me! Thanks!
This recipe I Will be making for sure. Thank you for sharing it. Sure does look yummy
I hope I win that dutch oven. You have no idea just how badly I need one. Thank you for the opportunity.
Thinking: Those who don’t like the peas; replace maybe with diced green beans or add other veggies to it. I probably will be adding some diced potatoes in mine.
ColleenB.
I am so jealous you’re getting snow!!! We have a like, 0% chance of getting any, even in Indiana/Ohio!
can’t wait to make this
wow looks amazing… i fixed chicken noodle soup the other day but did not look no where near as delish as this
YUM!!!
Oh my gosh you read my mind. I recently got divorced and lost ALL of my kitchen supplies in the process. No pots, pans, or anything. So this would be a Godsend for me
.
PS-I pinned the recipe.
Ok, #1) I’m terribly jealous of you and your snow talk. We’re probably going to be on the rainy side of this storm and I hate it! I WANT SNOW!!
#2) This dish looks *incredible*. I don’t remember anything like this being plopped on my divided tray years ago, so I’m feeling a little deprived. I think even my chicken-picky kids would gobble this up!
Great recipe Kristin! I haven’t tried Reames before but I would recommend Mrs. Bonser’s Egg noodles. They are made in Iowa and quite delicious.
Definitely trying this–yumm!! There’s nothing better than being snowbound with some yummy food and good company!
Homemade chicken & noodles is the ultimate comfort food for me! This looks so good! And when I don’t use homemade noodles, Reames are the way to go. Love this!
This looks delish!
xo Rach
rachiecakes-rachael.blogspot.com
I will have to look for those noodles, the soup looks so yummy!
Sally
Mmm, this looks goooood. I have creamy chicken and wild rice soup ready to be simmered away in my Dutch oven tonight as we watch the snow fall. I was thinking turkey dinner if we get snowed in tomorrow, but you may have just changed my mind. Off to the grocery store I go!
Cannot wait to try this!
We have snow today too – our first REAL snow of the year and I’m so excited. CO isn’t the same w/o snow. This looks perfect for a snowday! Can’t wait to make it. Thanks!
This looks so yummy – can’t wait to try it out. I really like your little white bowls with handles!
The soup caught my eye right away on Facebook. I cannot wait to try the recipe! And a Dutch Oven Give away! Tagged several friends on Pinterest.
You can have the snow – we have had our share in Minnesota
This casserole looks like the perfect way to stay warm during a storm! YUM- I love anything with egg noodles!
It is snowing here in Denver and I might just have to make this today!!
Funny, I pinned it even before I saw that was a contest entry!
That looks wonderful! My kids are sure hoping some of that snow makes it to Indiana as well, we had so little last year.
Looks delicious! I’m a big fan of chicken and noodles…my dad alwasy makes homemade noodles but i haven’t mastered his talent. This looks like a geat substitute.
I’ve been wanting a dutch oven for awhile now and keep admiring them.