Healthy homemade chicken soup to keep you warm and healthy

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(StatePoint) - When sweater weather arrives, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a pot of something savory and delicious simmering on the stove.

As you turn to hearty soups this winter, having the right seasonal staples means you’ll be well on your way to having piping hot meals on the table, quickly and hassle-free.

Keep your pantry and fridge stocked with essential ingredients like onions, carrots and celery, along with a collection of earthy, zesty spices and versatile, all-purpose seasonings. You’ll also need a rich and all-natural stock handy, such as Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock. Simmered all day with chicken, vegetables and McCormick herbs and spices, this deeply flavored stock can bring a burst of savory warmth to countless dishes. It’s low on sodium so it’s a good-for-you start to many delicious meals beyond soup, like rice, sauces, and more.

To help you embrace the colder weather, try a recipe for a hearty classic loaded with tender veggies, chicken, egg noodles and robust flavor that puts this stock -- aka “liquid gold” -- front and-center. Yep, you guessed it, Savory Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. Nostalgic and nourishing, all you need is 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes cooking on your stovetop.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons McCormick Garlic, Herb and Black Pepper and Sea Salt All Purpose Seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Turmeric
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 cartons (32 ounces each) Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock
• 2 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
• 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, carrots and celery; cook and stir 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in seasoning and turmeric; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken and stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 15 to 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.

2. Transfer chicken to medium bowl; shred using two forks. Set aside. Stir noodles into broth; cook 6 minutes or until tender. Return shredded chicken to saucepan. Gently stir in peas. Sprinkle with parsley to serve, if desired.

For more great ways to warm up this season, visit mccormick.com/kitchen-basics.

During the short, dark days of winter, healthy soups like this will feed your body and warm your soul.

Area COVID-19 Dashboard for January 9

Active Champaign County Cases:

7,039

Net change in the county: 949

Current local cases 1/9/22

Number in parenthesis indicates new cases since 1/8/22

Ogden • 41 (4)
Royal • 5 (2)
St. Joseph • 217 (27)
Urbana • 2481 (373)
Sidney • 52 (4)
Philo • 66 (7)
Tolono • 166 (26)
Sadorus • 16 (2)
Pesotum • 24 (0)

Total Active Local Cases:

3,068

Net change in local cases: 414

Total Local Confirmed Cases: 17,344

New cases: 445

The information on this page is compiled from the latest figures provide by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the Illinois Department of Public Health at the time of publishing. Active cases are the number of confirmed cases reported currently in isolation. Local is defined as cases within the nine communities The Sentinel covers.