Chicken Noodle Soup

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ready In: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
4 & 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup (1 large) onion, chopped
1 cup (2 medium) carrot, sliced
1 cup (2 stalks) celery, sliced
1 tsp dried basil, crushed
1 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 & 1/2 cups dried medium egg noodles
2 cups chicken or turkey, cooked and chopped
Thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Directions:
1. In a 3-quart saucepan combine broth, onion, carrot, celery, basil, oregano, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.

2. Stir in noodles. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until noodles are tender but still firm and vegetables are just tender. Remove and discard bay leaf. Stir in chicken; heat through. To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with basil.

Variation:
1. Chicken Tortellini Soup: Prepare as above, except substitute small broccoli florets for the celery and one 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini for the noodles. Add the broccoli and 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms with the tortellini.

2. Parmesan-Pesto Chicken Noodle Soup: Prepare as directed, except substitute 1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced, for the celery; Italian seasoning for the basil and oregano; and dried small shell macaroni for the noodles. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, to the broth mixture. Add the zucchini with the macaroni. Meanwhile, spread each of 4 slices Italian bread with 1 tablespoon refrigerated basil pesto; sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon finely shredded Parmesan cheese. Place bread slices, pesto sides up, on a baking sheet. Preheat broiler. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat about 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve toasted bread with soup.

http://www.recipe.com/chicken-noodle-soup/