Chicken Soup for the Whole You

This recipe is not a "Stolen" recipe, but one that I have evolved since learning the basics from my mother as a kid.  This is my definition of "Comfort Food".  I can't say I have made it the same way twice.  Here is my latest version, sans potatoes and served over egg noodles.

Prep Time:  20 to 30 Minutes

Cook Time:  2 Hours

Servings:  About 12

Ingredients:

1 Fryer chicken

4 to 5 stalks celery cut up

1 16 oz bag peeled baby carrots

1 white onion, peeled, left whole

2 chayote squash, cut up

1 16 oz bag shelled soybeans (edamame)

1 16 oz bag cut okra, baked

1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried sage

2 to 3 bay leaves

6 cups cold water

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and pre-bake the Okra following the Basic Baked Okra procedure
• Place the carrots and celery at the bottom of a large dutch oven or kettle
• Set chicken atop carrots and celery and surround with onion, squash, and edamame
• Add water and cover with tomatoes, baked okra, seasonings, and bay leaves
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat
• Cover and simmer for 2 hours
• Remove chicken, let cool, and debone
• Tear or cut up chicken meat and add back to soup
• Serve over prepared egg noodles, Enjoy!

Drop in Dumplings Alternate:

These fluffy and chewy herb-flecked dumplings are a great alternate to serving over egg noodles.   Dumpling recipe can be easily doubled for serving a family.  This dumpling recipe is directly from the Herbed Chicken and Dumpling post originally published in Cooking Light magazine October 2008, by David Bonom.

Dumpling Ingredients:

5 oz all purpose flour (about 1 cup)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup low-fat milk

Dumpling Method:

• Combine Flour, chopped parsley, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl
• Add milk, stirring just until moist
• Spoon by heaping teaspoonfuls into soup
• Cover and simmer 10 minutes or until dumplings are done