Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

My mom cooks and entertains constantly.  She has tons of friends and family and her home is always open to guests.  If someone is sick or has a death in the family, she is the first to spring into action and feed them. She's full of love and energy and good 'ol Southern values and traditions.  A while back she had pneumonia.  We couldn't have her down and out of action.  The minute my dad called to tell me the doctor's diagnosis, I hung up and went to the store to get all of the fixins for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.  While I'm no doctor, I am convinced there is some credibility to the history of making folks feel better with chicken noodle soup.  I made a big pot and took it over to my parents.  Dad called after dinner to report Mom had eaten two bowls was already feeling better and that I should, "Sell that soup by the jar."  She's almost back to her energetic self.  If you know someone who is feeling under the weather, or could use a little pick me up....this Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup will definitely do the trick!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
It'll cure what ails ya!

Enjoy a big hearty bowl.
Even if you aren't sick.

Nothing is better than a big pot of homemade soup!

Just ask my mom!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

For the broth:

1 whole chicken
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
3-4 carrots, roughly chopped (I don't even peel them)
3-4 stalks celery, roughly chopped (throw in the leaves too)
1 large jalapeno, roughly chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, peeled (but left whole)
2 bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh thyme
salt and pepper

For the soup:

2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 (16 ounce) package linguine noodles, broken in half

Rinse the chicken under cold water, removing the innards.  Pat dry with a paper towel and put in a large pot.  Season generously with salt and pepper.  Add the onion, carrots, celery, jalapeno, garlic, bay leaves and fresh thyme.  Fill pot with enough water to cover everything by a couple of inches.  Place on the stove and bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until the chicken is falling off the bone.  This will take approximately 2 hours.  Periodically skim off any foam that rises to the top and discard. 

Remove the chicken to a large cutting board and set aside.

Drain the broth through a fine mesh strainer into a clean pot.  Add the diced carrots and celery and place this pot on the stove over medium-low heat.  Meanwhile cook the noodles in a pot according to package directions.  You want them to be al dente in texture.  While all of this is going on remove the chicken meat from the bones.  Shred into bite-sized pieces and place in pot with broth.  When noodles have finished cooking, drain and add to broth mixture.  Taste and re-season with salt and pepper. 

Prep Time:  Approximately 20 minutes     Cook Time:  2 hours