Kitchen Moxy

Homemade chicken stew is a comforting and hearty dish that has the power to transform your space into a warm, inviting haven. Crafted with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, this stew embodies the essence of home-cooked comfort food. The slow simmering process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and savory aroma that fills every corner of your kitchen and living area.

Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or as a weekend treat, chicken stew is a versatile dish that brings comfort and a sense of belonging. Its aroma not only satisfies the palate but also creates an environment that feels like a warm embrace, making your space smell like home and fostering a sense of well-being and contentment.

Ingredients

• One 2- to 3-pound chicken fryer, cut up
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1/2 medium onion, diced or 1 bag of frozen pearl onions
• ½ bag of frozen peas (optional)
• 1-1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 bay leaves
• 16 ounces egg noodles
• 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley
• Beurre Manié (recipe below) to thicken soup

Process

1. Put the chicken pieces in a large stock pot and cover the chicken with water. Add a teaspoon of salt.
2. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken from the pot. Set the chicken aside to cool briefly.
4. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken with 2 forks, reserving the bones. Return the bones to the pot and boil for 25 minutes.
5. With a slotted spoon remove the bones from the pot and discard. Reserve the liquid in the pot.
6. Add the shredded chicken, carrots, celery, onions and peas to the pot. Then add ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, thyme, bay leaves and turmeric. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the noodles.
7. Simmer until the noodles are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaves with a slotted spoon.
8. Add the Beurre Manié to thicken the broth gradually, this method allows you to control the thickness more precisely and adds a rich flavor without the risk of lumps. Let stew simmer for 5 minutes and then taste the stew and add more salt or pepper to taste. Sprinkle the minced parsley on top and serve with a rustic loaf of bread and butter.

Beurre Manié

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 2 tablespoons of salted butter, room temperature

Process

1. Mix the flour and softened butter together with a fork or hands.
2. Knead together until a soft paste forms.