Chicken Get Well Soon Soup

All of this is 'get off the couch/bed for 10 mins and look at pot, go back to bed' sort of directions.  For something to do in those few mins when you are awake and bored, before you nod back off again.

soup base/stock (makes 2 big batches.  make it double then freeze half, it freezes well)
2 chicken breasts
4 chicken thighs
(all chicken with bones/skin)
2 big boxes of chicken stock + some water. Or water + bullion (be careful of salt, if so)  can use veggie stock also if you want, or just plain water, but starting with pre made stock gives you a stronger flavor for when your tastebuds are all dulled and you cant taste anything unless it hits you over the head.
several handfuls arugula
one onion
4-5 carrots
bunch of celery
zest of one lemon
one full bulb garlic
kosher salt to taste
palmful of peppercorns
3 or so bay leaves.
notice - no strong herbs/spices. just neutral stuff. Making a very basic tasting broth here, just trying to get some veggies in for nutrients etc.

Throw everything in a pot.  Don't worry about carefully cutting the veggies, these will be picked out later.  Just toss it all in, make it boil, reduce to simmer, and go back to bed for an hr or 2.
Qhen you wake up, pull out the chicken and leave it to cool. Skim off all the other stuff. Turn off heat. Go back to bed.
Again in awhile when things have cooled, reskim soup and pick/shread meat off of chicken.  Put chicken back in pot.  Put half of the stock/chicken into baggies or w/e to freeze. (Can do this all at once or in between naps, rly.)

This will make a bright but neutral flavored broth that freezes really well.   I make it into 2 batches bc I rly like soup and I assume my husband will eat at least a bowl, but you can split it up smaller and freeze more if you just want a bowl or 2.

Throw one of the following combinations into the remaining soup, depending on what you want, and simmer 30 mins or so to let flavers get into broth. Try a different combo when you take the rest out of the freezer next time you are ill:

• Simple classic: rice or pasta, carrots, celery, onion, rosemary/sage/thyme/parsley.
• Asian: ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, hot oil/pepper flakes if you like, boc choy or brocoli, mushrooms, carrots, onion, ramen or rice
• Tortilla: cilantro, corn, beans, cumin, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, salsa/pepper flakes. Garnish w chips/avocado/cheese for healthier members of the family.
• Matzo: matzo balls, carrots and celery and onions cut up really really tiny
• Italian wedding: meat balls, pastina or bow ties, spinach or some other hearty green
• Plain: strain out the chicken and just drink broth with crackers if  your stomach is really off kilter.  Add some ginger if you like it.
• Kitchen sink: whatever you have in your fridge/cupboard that you like. Any veggie is good in this, really. Add some herbs to complement.