Chicken Soup

What could be more comforting than a bowl of chicken soup? It warms your insides, makes you feel better, and is easy enough to make for yourself when you're sick. Right now we are stuck in a hotel for a few weeks while we wait for our visas to be processed. So, easy is on the menu. I have a crock-pot, electric teapot, and a blender. Here's what I came up with for tonight:
(I didn't measure anything, but I'm sure your guess will be as good as mine)

Chicken Soup

Ingredients: 

Chicken - Today I threw in one chicken breast
Vegetables - For simplicity I just used carrots
Garlic - Fresh cloves, roughly chopped
Salt - Sprinkle, sprinkle...
Pepper - A few turns of the grinder
Water - Pour it in till it's an inch or two above the other stuff.
   Throw all that in the pot and let it cook for a while. I did a couple hours on high, and a few hours on low. Once it's cooked, take out the chicken and shred it into bite size pieces, then throw it back in the pot.
Parsley - dried, sprinkle some on top and stir it in
Rice or Noodles -  I found some rice noodles at the store, so I'll just stir those in with the parsley and wait till they are soft. Tada! Dinner is served.

Can it get much simpler than that?

Variations:
- If you have a big family (or a fridge) you can use a whole chicken, or any amount or part of anatomy you prefer. Just be sure to remove all the bones!
- Any vegetables will work. I think carrots and celery are pretty classic. Chopped kale would be good too, just add it at the end so it doesn't get bitter.
- Garlic, if you don't have fresh, use dried, or powdered or whatever form you can get your hands on.
- Salt and pepper, add some then taste it. Or put the shakers on the table for everyone to add to their own liking.
- Parsley is really the key flavor ingredient. It needs to be added at the end or the flavor will disappear during the long cooking time. Fresh or dried will work.
- You can use cooked or uncooked rice or noodles. Just stir them into the soup at the end and wait till it's cooked or heated up. If you have a rice cooker, scoop some rice into the soup bowl and pour the soup over it.
- Chicken soup can also be made in a pot on the stove. Boil for 30-45 min. Longer for a whole chicken.