Exquisite Chicken Noodle Elixir

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of canola oil
• 3 cups of uncooked kluski noodles or alternative egg noodles (approximately 8 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 4 medium-sized carrots, finely chopped
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 teaspoon of freshly minced thyme or 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• Optional: Additional salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• 2-1/2 pounds of bone-in chicken thighs
• 10 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley

Preparation:

1. Begin by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season them with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a 6-quart stockpot over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches, skin-side down, until achieving a dark golden brown color (approximately 3-4 minutes). Remove the chicken and set it aside. Discard the chicken skin, saving 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pot.
3. In the same pot, sauté the finely chopped onion in the reserved drippings until soft (about 4-5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Return the chicken to the pot. Add the chopped celery, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the soup for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
5. Transfer the chicken to a separate plate. Allow the soup to continue simmering. Add the egg noodles to the soup, cover, and let them cook until tender (about 20-22 minutes).
6. While the noodles are cooking, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces after removing it from the bones; discard the bones.
7. Return the shredded chicken meat to the stockpot. Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning by adding more salt and pepper if needed. Discard the bay leaves before serving.

Indulge in the richness of this Ultimate Chicken Noodle Elixir that seamlessly weaves together the comfort of tender chicken, nourishing vegetables, and hearty noodles in a flavorful broth. Perfect for those days when an extra dose of warmth and comfort is needed, remember to tailor the seasoning to your liking as you savor this classic, soothing soup.