Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for camping. Here’s a simple recipe you can prepare over a campfire or camping stove:

Ingredients:

• For the Soup:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 large potato, peeled and diced (optional)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (you can use bouillon cubes if packing light)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 cup egg noodles or other pasta
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas or corn (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Cooking Area:
   • Set up your campfire or camping stove. For campfire cooking, ensure you have a stable setup with a grate or a heat-resistant pot stand.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • Heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the carrots, celery, and potato (if using), and cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Add Broth and Chicken:
   • Pour in the chicken broth and add the shredded or diced chicken.
   • Stir in the thyme, parsley, bay leaf (if using), salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer the Soup:
   • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
5. Add Noodles:
   • Stir in the egg noodles or pasta and continue to simmer until the noodles are cooked, about 10 minutes.
6. Add Optional Vegetables:
   • If you’re using frozen peas or corn, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
7. Finish and Serve:
   • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
   • Remove the bay leaf before serving.
   • Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips for Camping:

• Pre-chop Vegetables: Chop the vegetables and prepare the chicken ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers or zip-lock bags to make cooking easier at the campsite.
• Use a Dutch Oven: A Dutch oven or heavy-duty pot works well for cooking soup over a campfire.
• Pack Light: If you’re packing light, consider using canned chicken and pre-cooked noodles to simplify the preparation.

This chicken noodle soup is easy to make and perfect for warming up after a day of camping at Knoxville Campground!