Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (crockpot style)

For the pasta casserole below I used part of a whole chicken that was cooked in the crockpot.  I love whole chickens.  They seem like that would be a pain to cook but I just put them in the crockpot.  A big chicken will feed us for 3-4 meals (there is 2 of us).  We usually eat it that night, a chicken and rice casserole and chicken noodle soup.  I keep the broth from the crockpot.

For the chicken:  Place chicken in crockpot.  I usually cut off some of the fat and skin.  Put 2 (or so) cups of water in the crockpot with the chicken.  I sprinkle a good amount of garlic, basil, onion powder, salt and pepper on top of the chicken and in the water.  Set on low for 8 hours. 

Once chicken is cooked, I take it out of the crockpot and put it on a cookie sheet.  This allows it to cool.  It falls apart as you transfer it to the cookie sheet.  Thats ok!  Once it is cooled enough I seperate the chicken from the fat and bone.  It will be a messy process!

Once the broth cools down I pour it into a container.  I stick it in the fridge until I'm ready to use it.  Same thing with the left over chicken.

I don't have specfic measurements for this recipe.  I just use what looks right and tastes good!  You can adjust it to your liking.

Chicken Noodle Soup

*left over crockpot chicken
*leftover chicken broth (scoop the fat off the top with a spoon before adding to pan)
*water
*chicken boullion
*noodles (i use whole wheat, penne usually)
*olive oil
*chopped onion, carrots and celery
*garlic, salt, pepper, basil

1.  In a big pan, heat olive oil.  Add chopped onion, carrots and celery.  Also add garlic if using fresh. (I usually use powder because thats what we have).  Saute until mostly tender.

2.  Add chicken broth.  If you need more then what is leftover from the crockpot, add chicken boullion to water and mix in.  Let simmer for a few minutes.  Add pasta and seasonings.

3.  After the pasta is cooked, add chicken.  I usually add it last, as it is already cooked and you don't want mushy, over cooked chicken.

4. Serve with warm french bread!

Leftovers freeze well.  Enjoy!!