Hearty {Rainy Day} Chicken Noodle Vegetable Soup

The guys started working swing shift this week, Clark on monday and Chris today. This switch caused me to face my old nemesis, cooking on a swing shift schedule. What to do, what to do… Whatever I was going to make was going to have to be something I already had the ingredients for since the guys were leaving for work in a few hours! I’ve been wanting to make homemade chicken noodle soup but the weather was looking too nice outside! I weighted the decision a bit and finally decided that even though the sun was out, it was still cold enough outside to justify chicken noodle soup packed with vegetables!

I dont know about you but I LOVE rolls with my soup, and first choice is alwayshomemade. It’s so nice having a Kitchen Aid to use again, as I was chopping veggies, I was also kneading the bread dough in the mixer, oh the life of a multi-tasker!

Here’s my new Heart Chicken Vegetable Soup recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 celery ribs, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped mushroom
• 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth, divided (add more or less according to preference)
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 6 ounces uncooked pasta noodles (most will do, besides the obvious of spaghetti and lasagna)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions: In a large saucepan, saute the chicken, onion, celery, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli and garlic in butter and oil for 5 minutes. Stir in the basil, oregano and pepper until blended.

Set aside 1 cup broth. Gradually add remaining broth to the pan. Stir in tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes.

Return to a boil; stir in the pasta. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-13 minutes or until pasta is almost tender. Combine flour and reserved broth until smooth. Stir into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Here is the loaf after everyone had one serving of soup:

Here is what was left of the bread once the guys went to work:

I believe it is fair to say it was enjoyed by all!