Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

I live in a city of soup.  We even have soup contests here.  Each restaurant tries to outdo the others by making the best soup.  It's a fun predicament to be caught up in.  I always order soup, even if it's something I'm not sure I will like because more often than not, it is wonderful.  Recently I asked a server what their soup of the day was.  She told me....chicken noodle.  I almost never order chicken noodle soup because I make it at home often and it is just not one of my favorite restaurant soups. This was a new restaurant I was trying and I went for it and ordered the soup.  I was not disappointed.  It was creamy chicken noodle soup and the noodles were elbow macaroni.  What a pleasant surprise.  And man, it was good.  So, I came home and made it for my family.
 I made a big pot so you might want to cut this in half.  Melt a stick of butter with 3 tablespoons of oil in a heavy pot.

 Add 1 cup of flour.

 Whisk this together with some cracked black pepper.

 Let it cook over medium heat whisking occasionally until you have a golden roux.

 Add a diced onion, 4 diced carrots, 3 diced garlic cloves and several diced stalks of celery.  Stir this into the roux.

 Add 4 quarts of chicken stock.  I used homemade which is much more flavorful than store bought.  Add some diced chicken, 1/2 tsp. of dried thyme, a bay leaf and 1/2 tsp. of celery seed.  Taste and add some salt if needed.

 Add a bit of bouillon for added flavor.

 Let this cook at a simmer for about 30 minutes until the vegetables soften.

 Add 3 cups of milk or half and half.

Add 1 box of uncooked elbow macaroni.

Let this simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta softens.  If it gets too thick, add more milk.

Serve it sprinkled with fresh dill.  A bowl of comfort. I think this could be another kid friendly meal.

Comments

Nellie said…
Yum! Perfect for the cold weather we are having!
Dee said…
I love soup! And this looks so good.
Anonymous said…
This one looks yummy! but I don't think that I ever have ordered soup at a restaurant. I don't know why, perhaps it's so easy to make soup at home?

Have a great day!
Christer.
TARYTERRE said…
This looks yummy. I like the addition of milk or half and half for a creamier soup.
Leanna said…
Oh, I love soup! I would eat it every day if it weren't for David.
I made a great potato corn chowder last night. I had some for lunch just a few minutes ago, and it was so hearty and warming for my soul.
Soup contests or "festivals de soupe" as they are called here are huge in Provence and usually take place the end of autumn, beginning of winter.
Elbow macaroni -- wow, that takes me back. I remember when that and spaghetti was the ONLY type of pasta you could buy in a store, at least here on the godforsaken Canadian prairies. Specificially Creamettes Elbow Macaroni, by the way.
brokenteepee said…
Two great soups in one bowl
Guillaume said…
Oh I LOVE a good chicken and noodle soup! Especially when I am sick, have a cold or a flue, or when I am hangover.
Oh man, it looks delicious. I can't ever remember having elbows in chicken soup. What a great recipe. I'm going to pin this one.
Barb said…
I have made 2 of your soup recipes recently. I think I'll have to try this one next. We loved the two others!
Nadine said…
Oh this looks amazing. Only if it wasn't so hot here this would be perfect for a nice cool brisk day.
Nydia said…
Hello, sweet friend! I'm back to blogging regularly ('bout time!), and I wanted to know how everything was.
Yummm, this looks delicious! My favorite comfort food...

Kisses and love from us. <3
Kay said…
Wow! Did you actually order the soup, taste it and then duplicate it at home? You are just so amazing!
jody said…
I am surprised your ovens lasted as long as they did! Will be fun to get new! Thanx for your chicken soup recipe im going to give it a try so then at least my insides will be warm....
Homemade soup is the very best. Chicken stock is so easy...I keep some on hand but love to use my own.
The soup looks and sounds so good.
luckybunny said…
I've been dealing with a very upset tummy today, this looks like heaven and like the perfect comfort food!