Chicken Noodle Soup

Saturday we had all of our Children and Grandchildren here and I just had homemade soups and cupcakes. It was hot and tasty and simple. Everyone just helped themselves. Actually I made two pots of soup and I thought I would share the chicken with you today. 

Ingredients:

2 qts. chicken broth (homemade or store bought)
1 whole boneless skinless chicken breast ( about a pound)
1 large onion diced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 ribs of celery cleaned and sliced
1/2 pkg. dried medium noodles
parsley, optional
salt and pepper

Place a large heavy bottomed kettle or dutch oven over medium high heat and add the broth. Bring to a boil and turn back to simmer. Add the chicken and simmer covered for 15 minutes, do not boil. Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and set it aside to cool. When cool dice into bite sized pieces.

Return the broth to simmer and add the vegetables and cook them until they are fork tender. Season with salt and pepper. If additional liquid is needed add water or broth and fortify as needed with chicken stock base. Add the chicken, dried noodles, and parsley if desired.

As soon as the noodles are tender ladle into warm bowls or mugs and serve with fresh crispy saltine crackers and large spoons.