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!)
Trista 12.21.2012
My hubby bought me a Dutch oven last year, and I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t used it yet. We’re in Omaha and got hit by snow yesterday. School was cancelled and my husband had to push snow starting at 3am. When he got home around 6pm last night I had this dish hot and ready to go. He about died. It was so delicious and I couldn’t believe how simple it was. Thank you for sharing. I’m thinking of trying this with beef in the future.
Carole m 12.20.2012
Hot damn! This is a great giveaway. Thanks for offering
Whitney 12.20.2012
This looks so yummy and hearty! I’m going to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts though. Something about meat with bones and dark meat totally grosses me out. Should be good! Oh and I’m in WDM and we got like 11 inches so far! So happy!
Linda 12.20.2012
Oh my! This is on my list of “things to make soon”. Simple, but lucious! Great pictures.
Joan Rakowitz 12.19.2012
Looks amazing! Cant wait to try this!
Amanda Thompson 12.19.2012
This is going on my must-make-now list!!
Shica 12.19.2012
Lorrie Bell 12.19.2012
Thanks for the inspiration! My family loved the chicken noodle soup we had for dinner, great recipe.
stacy 12.19.2012
holy moly that looks fantastic!! but im not really a fan of dark meat chicken, can it be made the same way but with chicken breasts??
LissKB 01.07.2013
I tried this tonight with three chicken breasts instead of dark meat and it came out great!
Ashley 12.19.2012
I am completely not seeing the widget! Is any one else having this problem??
Jessica 12.19.2012
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. :)
Tina 12.19.2012
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.
janet kemper 12.19.2012
It is snowing here in Denver and I might just have to make this today!!
Becky @ Olives n Wine 12.19.2012
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!
Kila Rohner 12.19.2012
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.
Heather @ Beyond the Aisle 12.19.2012
This looks so yummy – can’t wait to try it out. I really like your little white bowls with handles!
jesser 12.19.2012
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!
Connie K 12.19.2012
Cannot wait to try this!
Trisha 12.19.2012
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! :)
Sally O 12.19.2012
I will have to look for those noodles, the soup looks so yummy!
Sally