What I Cook When I Crave Soup: 25 Min Comfort

Oh, there’s just something magical about a steaming bowl of soup, isn’t there? Especially when life speeds up and you find yourself craving that cozy, home-cooked goodness after a long day. I remember those chilly Vermont evenings from my childhood, with soup bubbling on the stove, a surefire sign of warmth and togetherness. Then one super busy weeknight, rushing home, I had this epiphany: delicious, comforting meals don’t *have* to take hours! I whipped up a quick medley of veggies I had on hand, added some broth, and *bam* – within 25 minutes, my kitchen smelled like home. That’s exactly *What I Cook When I Crave Soup Recipes* that are fast, flavorful, and truly comforting. Trust me, you can have that magic too! This is the spirit behind my collection of recipes, brought to you by Katherine Sullivan, a Seasonal Keto Forager who knows a thing or two about quick, wholesome meals.

Why This Weeknight Chicken Noodle Soup is a Go-To

When that soup craving hits, this is exactly *What I Cook When I Crave Soup Recipes*.

• Speedy Comfort: It’s ready in under an hour, making it perfect for any busy weeknight.
• So Cozy: It’s the ultimate comfort food, just like grandma used to make.
• Super Easy: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean less fuss in the kitchen.
• Deliciously Satisfying: Packed with flavor, it’ll warm you up from the inside out.

Essential Ingredients for Your “What I Cook When I Crave Soup Recipes”

When I’m craving that perfect bowl of soup, here’s what I pull out of my pantry. It’s all about keeping it simple and delicious, you know?

For the Soup:

• 2.5 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 10 cups chicken broth
• 4 celery ribs, chopped
• 4 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 3 cups uncooked kluski or other egg noodles (about 8 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Optional:

• Additional salt and pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Guide to Making “What I Cook When I Crave Soup Recipes”

Alright, let’s get this soup on the go! It’s really not complicated, I promise. It’s all about following a few simple steps to get that amazing flavor. Trust me, the smell alone will make you happy you decided to cook tonight.

Preparing the Chicken and Aromatics

First things first, grab those chicken thighs and pat them good and dry with paper towels. Give ’em a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Now, in your big stockpot, heat up that canola oil over medium-high. Don’t crowd the pan – cook the chicken in batches if you have to! You want it nice and dark golden brown. Once it’s done, take it out and set it aside. Pour out all but about 2 tablespoons of the drippings. Toss in your chopped onion and cook until it’s nice and tender, about 4-5 minutes. Then, add in that minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until it smells amazing. Careful not to burn it!

Simmering the Soup Base

Now for the liquid gold! Pour in that chicken broth and give it a good stir, scraping up any tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pot – that’s where the flavor lives! Bring it all to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, put that browned chicken back into the pot. Add in your chopped celery, carrots, those bay leaves, and the thyme. Turn the heat down so it’s just gently simmering, cover it up, and let it cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is totally tender. Easy peasy!

Cooking Noodles and Finishing Touches

Okay, time for the star! Carefully take the chicken out of the pot and set it on a plate to cool down a bit. Take the soup pot off the heat for a sec – this is important! Add your noodles. Pop the lid back on and just let them stand in the hot broth until they’re tender, usually about 20-22 minutes. While that’s happening, once the chicken is cool enough to handle, just shred the meat right off the bones and discard the bones. Toss that delicious shredded chicken back into the pot. Stir in your fresh parsley and that little splash of lemon juice – it really brightens everything up! Give it a taste and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Don’t forget to pull out those bay leaves before serving!

If you want even faster ideas, check out other speedy recipes!

Tips for Perfect “What I Cook When I Crave Soup Recipes”

You know, when I’m whipping up my go-to weeknight soup, I always keep a few little tricks up my sleeve to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. First off, splurge a little on good chicken broth if you can – it makes a world of difference in the flavor base! Seriously, the difference between a bland broth and a really rich one is huge.

And listen, about those noodles: nobody likes mushy noodles, right? Watch them closely, and remember they’ll keep cooking a bit even after you turn off the heat. My biggest cheat? If I’m *really* short on time, I’ll grab a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store. It saves so much time and tastes just as good! Always taste and adjust the seasoning at the very end, too. That’s your chance to make it just right for your taste buds!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

When making my favorite soup, I like to keep things flexible! If you don’t have bone-in chicken thighs, boneless ones work too, but they might cook a little faster. As for the noodles, feel free to use wide egg noodles or even pasta shapes like ditalini if you’ve got them. The key is just making sure they’re cooked through but not soggy. And you can always add a bit more salt and pepper at the end – that’s the beauty of cooking, you get to make it yours!

Serving Suggestions for Cozy Comfort Food

This soup is just begging for some tasty friends! I love serving it with a big hunk of crusty bread for dipping – it’s essential, really! A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is also lovely. Or, for ultimate cozy vibes, nothing beats a classic grilled cheese sandwich pulled apart for dipping. It just makes the whole meal feel extra special and comforting.

Need more quick meal ideas? Check out these lazy keto skillet meals, or explore more classic homemade soup recipes!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store your delicious soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop it into a saucepan over medium heat. Give it a little splash of broth or water if it seems a bit thick – those noodles can soak up a surprising amount of liquid! You want it nice and warm all the way through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soup Recipes

Got questions about whipping up this cozy chicken noodle soup? I’ve got you covered! This is exactly *What I Cook When I Crave Soup Recipes*, and I’ve learned a few things along the way.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Absolutely! Soups are fantastic for making ahead. In fact, many comfort food soups taste even better the next day! Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The only thing to watch out for is the noodles – they can get a little soft if left sitting in the broth overnight. If you’re prepping ahead, you might want to cook the noodles separately and add them when you reheat the soup. That way, they’ll stay perfectly tender!

What can I use instead of chicken broth?

If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, no worries! Vegetable broth is a great swap and will still give you tons of flavor. For a richer, deeper taste, you could even use a good quality beef broth. Just remember that different broths will give your soup a slightly different flavor profile, but they’ll all make for a delicious, cozy meal.

How do I make this soup thicker?

If you like your soup a little thicker, there are a couple of easy tricks. You can let the soup simmer uncovered for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to let some of the liquid evaporate. Another option is to mash some of the cooked carrots against the side of the pot with your spoon; they’ll break down and naturally thicken the broth. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, you could make a quick slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch or flour mixed with a little cold water, then stir it into the simmering soup until it thickens up. Easy peasy!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

When you’re whipping up this comforting chicken noodle soup, remember these are just estimates, of course! The exact numbers can change depending on the brands you use and even the specific ingredients. But generally, you’re looking at around 239 calories per serving, with about 14 grams of carbs, 18 grams of protein, and 12 grams of fat. It’s a good, hearty meal to keep you going!

Share Your Cozy Creations!

So, did you try making this amazing chicken noodle soup? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear what you think! Drop a comment below with your thoughts, rate the recipe if you feel like it, or tell me about your own favorite comforting soup recipes. Your feedback means the world to me! You can always reach out through my contact page too!