Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

My sister and mother-in-law have been sick this week.  By Thursday, I was finally able to convince my mother-in-law to bring her some soup.  I made a big batch for her and my sister.  I decided that I would add the soup as my first recipe on this here blog.  I know you're here for the recipe, not to read me go on and on and on...so the directions are short and to the point.  I hope you find it satisfying. 

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of butter
2 cups of carrots
2 cups of celery
1/2 medium onion
1 rotisserie chicken
2 49.5-ounce cans of chicken broth
1 26 ounce can of cream of chicken soup 
1 16 ounce bag of extra wide egg noodles

In a large dutch oven, melt a tablespoon of butter with a tablespoon of olive oil.

Dice half of an onion.

When the butter has melted, add the onions.  Stir with love :)

Dice carrots....and celery.

(pretend this is chopped)

Add carrots and celery to the pot and season with salt and pepper.  I'll let you be the judge of how much you add.

Pour in the chicken broth.

No sense in making your own chicken when the rotisserie chicken you can buy at the store is so delicious.  My mouth is watering.   

Pull the chicken off the bone and shred it.  Some of you may like big chunks of chicken, some of you may want small dices.  You decide this part.

Yes.  You're seeing this correctly.  Pour the juices from the chicken right into the pot. 

Stir with love.

Add the cream of chicken soup.  This makes the soup taste more like chicken and dumplings.  Omit it if you don't like delicious, creamy soup.  It's up to you ;)

Ooops.  How did this get in here?  He was a little mad if you can't tell from the scratches on his face.  He's happy now!  Let the soup simmer for 45 minutes.

If you use a "full fat" cream of chicken soup, you will want to skim any fat that may arise off the top of the soup before you add the noodles.  Let cool before you serve.  My husband always forgets that step.  He acts surprised it's hot every time he eats it directly from the pot! 

Oh, wait.  Is that an empty bowl?  My apologies, I ate the soup before I could take a picture of it.  I have more on the stove calling my name so I must leave you now.  I hope you make this soup.  It's delicious whether you are sick or well.