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!)
Mike 11.25.2013
Hey Iowa girl hope you don’t mind a “Buckeye-boy” trying your recipe. Sure looks good in the pics and smells even better. It’s on the stove NOW!!!
Amanda 11.21.2013
If you’re fueling up for a long run or race you could serve this over some mashed potatoes for some major carb loading. YUM!!!!
jennifer 11.14.2013
How would I cook this recipe without a dutch oven? What would the temp or time be for a crock pot? Or can it be cooked directly in the oven?
Iowa Girl Eats 11.18.2013
I’m not sure about crock pot cooking time, but if you don’t have a Dutch Oven, just use a large soup pot!
purplebohemian 11.04.2013
I made this for dinner last night after a long day of raking leaves. Absolutely delicious and perfect for fall. Thank you for sharing this recipe! It’s a favorite of ours now. :)
Nadia Lorenson 10.16.2013
I just made this tonight. So good! I’ve now made a few recipes of yours and all have been excellent. You are basically my go to for food! :)
V1 10.06.2013
I don’t understand the step for cooking the noodles……do I drain them? Sorry if that’s a dumb question……….this looks delicious and I’m making it for our Sunday dinner this afternoon. Thank you!
Iowa Girl Eats 10.06.2013
Nope, they cook right in the broth!
V1 10.06.2013
thanks. I was confused by the directions that said “cook according to package directions” —- which said 4 quarst boiling water and drain.
Kari 09.28.2013
We tried this tonight & it was great! I used 2 bone-in split chicken breasts because I couldn’t pass up the great sale at the grocery store. Husband and little ones liked it, and only one pot to clean … what else can you ask for??
Thanks!
Amanda 09.28.2013
The recipe looks delish! This may sound odd, but I love the bowl in the pictures (white with handle). Where did you get them?!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.18.2013
Bed, Bath & Beyond!
Helen 09.18.2013
I can’t find frozen noodles at my grocery stores. Can I use dry noodles and do I have to adjust the recipe? Thanks
Iowa Girl Eats 09.23.2013
I would probably use egg noodles and cook them the same way in the chicken broth. The result won’t be quite as thick, but still good!
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andy@herringshaw.com 04.23.2013
Stumbled on your website and this recipe – We’re having the last (hopefully) nasty blast of cold in Oklahoma. Chicken and Noodles was calling my name. Made this recipe – loved it.
Heather @ Beyond the Aisle 03.25.2013
Finally tried this one tonight after having it pinned forever – awesome recipe!
Kay 02.27.2013
I just happen to from Iowa too!! Married a military guy and currently live in Alaska ;-)
I used to work at Reames noodles and I use them in my soups too!! Don’t they just rock?? Anyway, just stumbled upon your blog, glad to meet a fellow Iowan. Keep cooking well!!
Sarita 01.27.2013
This is sitting off the heat! I’m going to make corn muffins to eat with!
Next time I will know to take noodles out of the freezer when I start the recipe so they can thaw out? Never knew there were frozen noodles! Had to ask produce guy at the store about them. H said ,”oh grandmas noodles!” My son thought he was rude! But that’s the name of the brand of noodles-grandmas-! I am a grandma too! Thank you for all of the recipes that you share.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.27.2013
Hi Sarita! You actually add the noodles still frozen so you did it right! :)
TerryB 01.20.2013
You can not get frozen egg noodles in CT. I have a bag of Trader Joe’s dried spatzle will that work should I cook it first?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.21.2013
I’ve never cooked with that product, but I would probably add them in at the same time as the frozen noodles and let them cook like the noodles did!
Deanna 12.30.2012
Made this tonight! It was delicious and the whole family loved it.
JOYCE 12.26.2012
I have been sick and I think this is going to make me feel a whole lot better
Teresa 12.26.2012
This looks amazing! I found it in pinterest last week and planned to make it at some point. Well, it is cold and snowy in PA today, looks like this might be dinner tonight!
Susan 12.25.2012
A new dutch oven for Christmas plus leftover turkey from the weekend made this a perfect recipe for a cozy Christmas night dinner! Delish!
stephanie@cookinfanatic 12.24.2012
Kristin, this recipe was fabulous, we loved it! Thanks so much for sharing, this is definitely something I’ll be making again :)