Hearty Chicken Soup

This hot and hearty chicken noodle soup will help take the chill off a cold winter's day.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 medium yellow onions, cut into medium dice
1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds, breast removed and split; remaining chicken cut into 2-inch pieces
Kosher salt
2 bay leaves
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 celery stalk, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups (3 ounces) egg noodles
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup minced freshly parsley leaves

Cooking Directions:

1. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large soup kettle. Add half of chopped onions and all chicken pieces (reserve breast). Sauté until chicken is no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes. Increase heat to high; add 2 quarts water (already boiling if you are in a hurry) along with the whole chicken breast, 1 teaspoon salt, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce heat to low and barely simmer until chicken breast is cooked and broth is rich and flavorful, 20 minutes longer.
2. Remove chicken breast from kettle; set aside. When cool enough to handle, remove skin from breast, then remove meat from bones and shred into bite-size pieces; discard skin and bones. Strain broth into a large bowl and discard any remaining chicken pieces and bones. Skim fat from broth and reserve 2 tablespoons. (Broth and meat can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
3. Return soup kettle to medium-high heat. Add reserved chicken fat. Add remaining onion, along with carrot and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add thyme, broth and shredded chicken. Simmer until vegetables are tender and flavors meld, 10 to 15 minutes. Add noodles and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning, adding salt, and pepper, stir in parsley and serve.

Makes 4 servings.