Nutritious Chicken and Bacon Noodle Soup

 

 

    Hello, strangers!  

    When we are feeling under the weather, it can really mess us up in other parts of life.  We want to rest, but we have so much to do, we are hungry, but our appetites do change a bit when we are sick, and life frankly feels weird during these times.  That's why I say just listen to your body and go with the flow of it all.  It is important to rest if we really feel awful, and make sure we are drinking enough water to stay hydrated throughout our day.  It can also be hard to want to order food out, or just snack all day long, because again, sickness messes with our routines.

This is normal, though, so please don't be hard on yourself! I do recommend if you are going to cook something, or even reheat leftovers, at some point, you must make some homemade chicken noodle soup!  And while you're at it, add some cooked bacon to it because why not!  Sure, there's a little more fat in this dish, but fat provides flavor, and chicken and bacon together?!  Best combination!

This soup is so easy to put together and most of the ingredients are already in your pantry.  If not, go out and buy double of everything so you have it on hand!  My daughter woke up feeling under the weather for the second time in two months, but she loves chicken and bacon, and brothy soup, so this recipe is perfect when someone in the family is sick!  I hope you'll try it because it's truly delicious and every Winter I plan on making this

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Chicken and Bacon Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced celery

1 medium bag baby carrots, or four whole carrots, diced/chopped in thicker chunks

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp minced garlic; fresh garlic is fine using a garlic press or can buy the minced garlic in a tube/jar

1lb or lb and a half of boneless chicken tenders or breast, cubed.

1 pkg turkey bacon or pork bacon-* I cooked mine in my air fryer until crispy, cooled then chopped up. Cook however you like first, then add to the pot.  I had a pkg of turkey maple bacon so that's what I used.

4 cups water

2 cups bone broth *this provides more nutritional benefits like more protein, collagen for joint health and hydration properties like electrolytes.

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

generous amount of salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp dried parsley 

2 tbsp nutritional yeast * this provides more nutrition such as antioxidants, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

2 tbsp lemon juice 

*Choice of noodles

 

Directions:

 1. Add oil to your stock pot and once hot, cook down onions, celery and garlic over medium-high heat. About ten minutes.

2. Add spices to the mix, carrots and all of your liquid, as well as the lemon juice. Cook over medium high heat, occasionally stirring.

3. Cook your bacon as desired, and cut up the chicken in cubes. Be sure to season both sides of the chicken.  Add gently into the soup pot.

4. Cook on medium-high heat until everything comes to a boil and the chicken is cooked through.  Keep stirring occasionally, and allow the soup to slowly cook over very low heat.

5.  Once ready to eat, cook your favorite pasta according to the package then add to the soup.

6. Enjoy!

* This soup freezes well, but do not add the noodles to the soup.  Noodles do not freeze well.  Save the noodles in the fridge and add whenever you want to eat this soup!

 

Stay well, friends!

Dana