Making chicken soup can be easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic. Set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, add the chicken pieces and cover with chicken broth (or water). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Add Aromatics: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot.
4. Simmer: Allow the ingredients to simmer gently for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Remove Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the pot. Let it cool slightly before shredding the meat from the bones.
6. Return Meat: Discard the bones and skin. Shred the chicken meat and return it to the pot.
7. Add Noodles or Rice: If using, add the egg noodles or rice to the pot. Let them cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes.
8. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
9. Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls.