Chicken Noodles

Do you have a recipe that just tastes like home? That's how I am with these Chicken Noodles. Except I don't ever remember Mom really fixing these:) My mom is a great cook. I love everything that she makes. When we were growing up, some of our favorites were: chili, Danish meatballs, creamy cheesy potatoes. I think almost every meal (if it had meat) had gravy. She is the queen of gravy. I l.o.v.e. gravy.

Anyway, now that I'm starving, I was not a good cook when I got married. Not. at. all. **I'm not saying I'm a good cook now;)** We ate a lot of yucky stuff and it didn't (doesn't) help matters that Matt does not eat vegetables or fruit. I have never seen him eat fruit, but he will eat green beans on occasion and of course sweet corn. Potatoes, yes, but usually in the form of fries.  (If you are worried about my children eating their veggies, don't. I fix them even if Matt doesn't eat them.) Also, he doesn't really like anything that has spices in it (also known as "flavor".) So as you can see, this limits what I fix for supper.

Matt usually wants grilled something, whether it's porkchops, hamburgers, steaks, you get the idea. I, on the other hand, want something with gravy:) and I don't want to go outside to grill when it's 20 degrees outside. So I started making Chicken Noodles when we first got married.

This is my go-to dish when I have to take a meal to someone. And it's really easy. really.

To start, I use a large can of chicken stock in my dutch oven on the stove.

I usually don't wait til it's boiling but when it's starting to get really hot, I throw in a bunch of Amish-made noodles. I like the "homemade" noodles the best because they don't break down as quickly as the egg noodles, and I usually let this sit on the stove awhile. While the noodles are swimming, I get out my rotisserie chicken. That's right. I use a Sams one, because they are always bigger than anywhere else. And these have so much flavor, I think it's better than fixing my own chicken. 

 

Once I get all the meat of the bones, the noodles are usually boiling. I turn the stove way down to low and mix in the chicken and a can of cream of chicken soup. I know, there are lots of pins on pinterest right now for the "make your own cream of whatever soup" because everything in the soup is bad for you. Well, have you read those recipes? The ones I read are just flour and milk (basically). I add the soup for the flavor and it makes the stock nice and thick - like gravy! I also salt and pepper to taste, because I did learn that from my mom.

chicken noodles over mashed potatoes

 I usually serve the Chicken Noodles over mashed potatoes. Matt eats his with cottage cheese (which totally grosses me out). The boys love it and there are always leftovers because I make so much. And just like lasagna, it's even better the next day! 

I think I'm off to the store for a chicken. I'm hungry now!