When you feel a bit under the weather, there's nothing better that I could think of than a nice hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup. That's how I was felt recently. On this particular day, I didn't want to put the effort into making a dinner. And there were other mouths to feed, I needed a solution that wouldn't take too much energy out of me. I had some chicken from that big Costco bag in the freezer. Soup would be the best bet. Also, to make things easier I dusted off the good old slow-cooker.
I knew it was hot out, but it was the only thing that would make me feel better and happy. I had all the ingredients I needed. A large chicken breast, small elbow pasta, carrots, onions, herbs, stock, celery. Oh...I don't have celery. Ugh!! (*expletive, expletive*) Grr... Don't you just hate it when you think you had all the ingredients to find out that one is missing. Hmph! I didn't want to go out in the heat. It'll just make me cranky. But a saving grace emerged from a little itty-bitty voice whispering inmy head, "You have chayote in the fridge." YES!! Perfect. Thank you little voice in my head. Just when I thought my soup would be a doomed, it was once again revived.
You may remember chayote, which I featured in my Ginger Soup with Chayote, a while back. I usually eat the stuff simply sautéed with onion and a little bit of olive oil, but thanks to that little voice it will now be used in my chicken soup. Peeling the stuff can be annoying as there's bit of a sticky reside that is has once you cut the skin off. Simply wear a glove or a plastic bag over your hand. Then wash it off with some cold water, and you're ready to go.
I put all the ingredients into the slow-cooker, set the machine to low and left it for 5-6 hours. This is perfect for those who don't have time to cook when they get home from work. Prepare the stuff the night before or in the morning. Put everything together before leaving and when you get home, dinner is ready. Just before serving, I took the chicken breast out and shredded the meat, then put it back into the soup.
I've been toying with ideas for more slow-cooker recipes. We'll see how those go. I served this with some slices of homemade french bread, I had made the day before.
Serves 3-4
Crockpot Chicken Noodles Soup
1 12oz can chicken stock
2 c water
1 large chicken breast
1 chayote - peeled and sliced
1 medium onion - sliced
3 carrots - chopped into chunks
1 tbsp fresh ginger
1 tbsp dry thyme
1 tbsp dry parsley
2-3 c uncooked elbow pasta
salt
pepper
note: to avoid the sticky reside while peeling the chayote, wear rubber gloves or use a plastic bag to cover your hand. Then wash off with cold water.
Place all ingredients in the slow cooker and set it on low it will be ready in 5-6 hours.
Just before serving, remove the chicken and cut to chunks or shred into pieces. Then replace back into the pot.
