Mom's Homemade Chicken Soup

I don't know what I'd do without my husband and my mom. They're truly amazing. I've been sick in bed for the past 3 days with a wicked cold and they both completely took over and had everything under control. The combination of a sore throat + sinus pain, along with morning sickness hasn't been the most pleasant - so I've been so thankful to have this extra help the past few days. 

One thing I thought about instantly when I heard Mom was coming to stay with us was her Homemade Chicken Soup. It's just one of those comfort foods for me that has the smells and flavors of my childhood. Mom made this soup often in the winter months and anytime one of her kiddos had the sniffles. 

Of course the last thing any of us ever want to think about is this part of the future - but I know there will come a time when my parents will no longer be around. This is a sad and scary thought - but there are certain comforts, habits, and traditions that my parents (and their parents) seemed to have started for our family that I will always want to carry on afterwards. I told my mom awhile back that one of the things I wanted her to teach me the most was how to make this soup. So while she was staying here I made sure to watch closely and study her every move so I can be able to make it just like her. And I thought snapping some pictures might help me out for when I try to make it myself...I get so excited when I can smell it cooking away on the stove! 

It was so nice to enjoy this hot bowl of soup on such a blustery day and to spend some time with my mom. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's lunch. 

But this gal needs some beauty sleep. Oh boy, do I need it. Goodnight all!

Mom's Homemade Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

1 Whole Chicken (we used the cooked BBQ chicken from the grocery store but you can always use a whole uncooked chicken as well)

4 Carrots, diced

1 Onion, diced

1/2 Broccoli head (and also part of the stem) diced

2 Cups of Tomato Juice

1/2 cup of Rice (or pasta if you prefer)

1. Put whole chicken in a soup pot and fill the pot half way full with water. 

2. Chop up one onion. 

3. Add onion to the soup pot. 

4. Cut the chicken into pieces with chicken shears and boil on medium heat for 1 1/2 hours.

5. Once boiled - remove the chicken from the pot

6. Add tomato juice to the stock.

7. Add chopped veggies and rice to the stock and boil for 20-30 minutes. 

8. Pull the chicken off of the bones, dice, and add half of it to soup. (My least favorite part!.)

**Mom usually adds most of the brown meat and would save the breast for chicken sandwiches. YUM!)

And it's ready to serve!