Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Make the egg noodles
- Place 2 cups of the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the eggs, egg yolks, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, then beat with a fork, gradually drawing in the flour until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and firm.
- Wrap the dough and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough in half and keep one piece covered while you roll the other on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut the dough into 1/4-inch-wide strips 3-4 inches long, then repeat with the remaining dough.
- Dust with the remaining flour as needed and arrange the noodles in loose nests on a flour-dusted 13x18-inch sheet pan.
- Let the noodles air-dry while you make the soup.
Make the soup
- Put the chicken, water, onion, 2 celery ribs cut into pieces, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper in a 6-quart pot.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a low simmer and partially cover.
- Cook for 40-50 minutes, until the chicken is tender and registers at least 165°F in the thickest part.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl. Discard the onion, celery, and bay leaves, then return the broth to the pot.
- Add the carrots and sliced celery to the broth and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, until nearly tender.
- Add the noodles a handful at a time and return the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring gently once or twice, until the noodles are tender but still hold their shape.
- Remove and discard the chicken skin and bones, then shred the meat.
- Stir the chicken into the soup with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Simmer for 3-5 minutes, until the chicken is heated through to 165°F.
Notes
For the best noodle texture, dust them with flour as needed and keep them in loose nests as they air-dry. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days; freezing is best done without the noodles, which can soften after thawing. For a gluten-free variation, use a tested gluten-free noodle recipe in place of the homemade wheat noodles.
