Homemade Chicken Soup

I'm not feeling so hot today and it made me think about my own homemade chicken soup because, I must admit, it's pretty delicious.  This all happened by accident almost 4 years ago. I had just started dating and he came over my house but wasn't feeling very well.  So I told him to relax and I would take care of him.  Anyway I got a wild hair and decided to make some homemade chicken soup.  Now I'd never made chicken soup before, nor did I know the ingredients so I was flying blind.  I was determined it was gonna be a fun creation though lol.  He didn't know it at the time, but he was gonna be my sick guinea pig ha!  Hey, don't judge me he's still alive lol!  ANYWAY...here we go:

What you'll need:
5-6 boneless chicken thigh pieces *you can also use breast, I'm just not a fan*
1-2 stalks (or bunches) of celery
3 carrots *you can have more I'm just not a fan of cooked carrots*
1 yellow squash *optional*
1 zucchini *optional*  
Chicken Stock - 2 cups
Package of noodles *I use the swirly egg noodles, but it's really dealers choice*
Salt 
Pepper
Cayenne Pepper
Onion Powder 
Chili Powder *optional* 
Olive Oil

Step 1: Prep

• Dice the chicken into medium sized pieces
• Dice the celery into medium-small pieces
• Peel and slice carrots, squash & zucchini
• Season the meat with salt, pepper & onion powder

 Step 2:

• Put the chicken in a pot on high and let it start to brown make sure it's being frequently stirred so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot
• Before it browns completely, pour in the chicken stock and continue to stir
• Toss in the veggies and mix them in 
• Fill the pot the rest of the way with hot water until its about 3/4 full
• Mix in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• Put the top on and reduce heat to medium (on the high side)
• Let it cook for about 30 minutes
• Check on it and stir occasionally 

Step 3:

• After 30 minutes remove the lid and stir
• Mix in 1tsp pepper
• Mix in 1TBS salt
• Mix in 1TBS onion powder
• Add a dash a chili powder *optional*
• Place lid back on the pot and reduce heat to medium-low
• Let it cook for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally

Step 4:

• While the soup is cooking put on a pot of water to boil for your noodles
• Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the water (helps the noodles not stick)
• Once the water begins to boil add your noodles and stir
• Let them cook for about 10 minutes on high stirring occasionally 
• Drain the noodles and put them aside

Step 5:

• After 20  minutes, remove the lid from soup and stir
• Add drained noodles to the soup and mix them in well
• Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.  
• Remove from heat 
• Enjoy :)

*Notes: You can use chicken on the bone, but if you do - do not use chicken stock.  Chicken on the bone makes its own broth.  However, it does make for a "greasy" broth

Please share, Pin, Tweet or whatever if you like this recipe.  And drop me a note if you try it.  Hope you enjoy :).