Chicken Soup, the Cure for the Winter Blahs

Are you snowed under, iced under, or simply dealing gray skies? Have you got the sniffles, a nasty cold or the flu? Then have I got the recipe for you.

This chicken soup recipe came from my SIL. It's fairly easy and the actual cooking time isn't long. However, there is some prep work, so plan on about an hour and half  from the time you start chopping until the time you're sitting down to eat.

Here's what you'll need:

• 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5-6 large cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4-5 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 quarts chicken broth
• 1 quart vegetable broth (or use 3 chicken)
• 2-3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1-2 dashes red pepper flakes
• l large bay leaf (optional)
• 3-4 cubes (or equivalent) chicken bouillon
• 1 package Kluski or Bohemian noodles

I like to chop and gather everything for this dish before I actually start cooking.

Once that's done, place a large Dutch oven over high heat and add your olive oil. 

When the oil is heated, add the chicken, onions and garlic.

Cook until the meat is browned.

Okay, so it doesn't exactly brown because there's a lot of moisture in there from the onions. The main thing is that you don't want to see any pink meat.

Next, add your carrots, celery, broth and all of your seasonings.

Stir and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until veggies are tender.

Boy, oh boy, does the house smell yummy. Talk about whetting your appetite.

Add noodles and simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes.

This is one lean meal with loads of flavor. It'll also warm you up and help clear those sinuses. But what a delicious way to do it.

Here on the coastal plains of Texas, we've been dreary all week. Cool, drizzly--or as my husband says, cold and wet. But while the skies may be gray, it sure makes for some good writing weather. Not to mention great soup weather.

What are some of you favorite meals on a cool, dreary day? Are you a soup/stew person like me or do you prefer a warm, hearty casserole? What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com