Homestyle Chicken and Noodles is hearty, cozy, and perfect for a blustery fall or winter evening!
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.
Anyway! 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.Â
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.Â
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 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!)
Rach 12.19.2012
This looks delish!
xo Rach
rachiecakes-rachael.blogspot.com
Cassie | Bake Your Day 12.19.2012
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!
Autumn 12.19.2012
Definitely trying this–yumm!! There’s nothing better than being snowbound with some yummy food and good company!
Brianne 12.19.2012
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.
Kelly T 12.19.2012
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!
Naughty Lizzie 12.19.2012
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.
mary 12.19.2012
YUM!!!
MelissaWillard 12.19.2012
wow looks amazing… i fixed chicken noodle soup the other day but did not look no where near as delish as this :)
Lanesa 12.19.2012
can’t wait to make this
Maria 12.19.2012
I am so jealous you’re getting snow!!! We have a like, 0% chance of getting any, even in Indiana/Ohio! :(
ColleenB. 12.19.2012
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.
Shawna 12.19.2012
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!
Chris 12.19.2012
I am sorry, but I can’t c the button either. Even when I Pinned it.
Thanks
Linda 12.18.2012
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. :)
Bek @ Crave 12.18.2012
So many giveaways! Woo. Be safe in the snow storm- can you still leave the house or are you house ridden?
melanie 12.18.2012
we’re expecting a foot in madison – super excited! :)
Dana Paliotta 12.18.2012
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!)
shandy (@webgals) 12.18.2012
I don’t see a +1 button either.
shandy (@webgals) 12.18.2012
Ignore above. I would delete if I could. Found it. That widget is REALLY slow at loading.
Sasha 12.18.2012
Hello,
I am just wondering why you use milk in some recipes and condensed milk in other recipes?
Melissa @ Bless This Mess 12.18.2012
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?