Classic Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

by

Classic Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

A timeless comfort dish, this Classic Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is warm, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. Made with simple pantry ingredients, tender chicken, and hearty noodles, it’s perfect for cold days, recovery meals, or anytime you want something cozy and homemade.

Recipe Overview

  • Servings: 6–8

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Cook Time: 45–60 minutes

  • Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes

 Ingredients

For the Soup Base

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced

  • 2 celery stalks, sliced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

For the Soup

  • 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)

  • 1½ lbs chicken (bone-in thighs, breasts, or a whole small chicken)

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)

  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

To Finish

  • 2–3 cups egg noodles (or pasta of choice)

  • 1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

  • Lemon juice (optional, to brighten flavor)

 Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics
    Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

  2. Build the broth
    Pour in chicken broth. Add chicken, bay leaves, salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley. Bring to a gentle boil.

  3. Simmer
    Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.

  4. Shred the chicken
    Remove chicken from the pot. Shred or dice, discarding bones and skin if used. Return chicken to the soup.

  5. Cook the noodles
    Add noodles and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, or until tender.

  6. Finish & serve
    Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add fresh parsley and a splash of lemon juice if desired. Serve hot.

 Notes

  • Bone-in chicken adds deeper flavor, but boneless works too.

  • Soup thickens as it sits due to the noodles.

  • Always taste at the end—broth strength varies by brand.

Tips & Variations

  • Make it richer: Add a splash of cream or a knob of butter at the end

  • Gluten-free: Use rice noodles or omit noodles and add rice

  • Extra veggies: Add peas, corn, spinach, or zucchini

  • Slow cooker: Cook everything except noodles on LOW for 6–7 hours; add noodles in last 30 minutes

 Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)

  • Calories: ~250–300

  • Protein: 22–25g

  • Fat: 8–10g

  • Carbohydrates: 18–22g

  • Sodium: Varies by broth used

(Values are estimates and depend on ingredients.)

 Health Benefits

  • Supports immune health

  • Hydrating and easy to digest

  • High in protein for muscle repair

  • Great comfort food during colds or flu

Q & A

Q: Can I freeze chicken noodle soup?
A: Yes, but freeze without noodles. Add fresh noodles when reheating.

Q: How long does it keep in the fridge?
A: 3–4 days in an airtight container.

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely! Add shredded chicken in step 5 and reduce simmer time.

Q: How do I prevent mushy noodles?
A: Cook noodles separately and add them to individual bowls when serving.

Leave a Comment