There’s just something about a simmering pot of homemade chicken noodle soup that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, isn’t there? It whisks you right back to childhood, to those times you felt under the weather and Mom or Grandma would quietly bring you a steaming bowl. Here at DeliceRecipe, we’re all about those comforting, reliable dishes that taste amazing without being fussy. That’s exactly what this chicken noodle soup is – a treasure from our founder Ellie Vance’s own home cooking roots, carefully tested and perfected to be your go-to from-scratch chicken soup for sick days, busy weeknights, or really, any time you need a little bit of pure, cozy goodness. It’s a classic for a reason!
- Why You'll Love This Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
- Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- How to Make Easy Chicken Noodle Soup From Scratch
- Tips for the Best Sick Day Soup
- Make-Ahead and Freezer Friendly Soup Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Noodle Soup
- Estimated Nutritional Information for Chicken Noodle Soup
- Share Your Classic Comfort Food Creation
Why You’ll Love This Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Honestly, what’s not to love? This recipe is an absolute winner because:
- It’s SO easy to make! Seriously, even if you’re new to cooking, you can whip this up.
- Pure comfort in a bowl. The savory broth, tender chicken, and soft noodles are just heavenly.
- Perfect for any occasion. It’s the ultimate sick day cure, but equally amazing for a cozy weeknight dinner.
- You know exactly what’s in it. Made from scratch with good-for-you ingredients you can actually pronounce!
Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing chicken noodle soup!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium)
- 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
- 1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 6 ounces wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Easy Chicken Noodle Soup From Scratch
Alright, let’s get this soup going! It’s really not complicated at all, and I promise it’s worth every single minute. Trust me, this is a recipe tested time and time again right here in my kitchen. It’s perfect for those nights when you’re looking for something quick and comforting, like easy weeknight dinners done right.
Sautéing Aromatics and Browning Chicken
First things first! Grab a big pot or Dutch oven and heat up that olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your chicken pieces and let them get a nice golden brown on all sides. We’re not cooking them all the way through yet, just giving them some color! Once they look good, take them out and set them aside. Now, into that same pot, add your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Let them soften up for about 5-7 minutes, stirring now and then. Then, give your minced garlic about a minute until it smells amazing – don’t let it burn!
Simmering the Broth and Cooking Chicken
Now, it’s time to bring it all together. Put that browned chicken right back into the pot with all those lovely veggies. Pour in your chicken broth and water – make sure you’ve got enough liquid to cover everything nicely. Sprinkle in the dried thyme and rosemary. Give it a good stir, bring it all up to a boil, and then you’ll want to turn the heat down low, pop a lid on, and let it all gently simmer for about 20 minutes. This is when all those flavors really start to meld and the chicken finishes cooking perfectly.
Shredding Chicken and Cooking Noodles
Once your chicken is cooked all the way through, carefully take it out of the pot. Let it cool just enough so you can handle it, then use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. It’s so satisfying! Pop that shredded chicken back into the pot. Now for the star of the show (besides the soup, of course!): the egg noodles! Stir them right into the simmering broth and cook them according to the package directions. Usually, it’s about 8-10 minutes until they’re perfectly tender. We love a good easy soup recipe like this one!
Seasoning and Serving Your Chicken Noodle Soup
The very last step! Give your soup a taste and season it with salt and fresh black pepper until it’s just right. You want it to taste incredible! Ladle that beautiful, steaming chicken noodle soup into bowls. A little sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley on top makes it look so vibrant and adds a nice fresh hint. Enjoy that incredible bowl of homemade goodness!
Tips for the Best Sick Day Soup
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me tell you a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years that really make this chicken noodle soup sing, especially when someone’s feeling under the weather. You want that ultimate comfort food experience, right?
If you’re in a total time crunch, using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is an absolute lifesaver. Just shred the meat and toss it in during the last 10-15 minutes of simmering – it tastes just as good and saves you a step. For the broth flavor, don’t be afraid to really let those aromatics and herbs do their thing during the simmer; that’s where all the magic happens. And if you want to add a little extra something, peas or corn are always a nice touch right at the end. It’s all about making this soup your own, just like our award-winning chili is a favorite!
Make-Ahead and Freezer Friendly Soup Instructions
You know, life gets crazy sometimes, and having a foolproof recipe for chicken noodle soup that you can make ahead is a total game-changer! I always like to have some stashed away for those unexpected “I don’t feel like cooking” nights or, you know, actual sick days. The trick is letting it cool completely before you pack it up. Seriously, don’t skip this!
Once it’s totally cool, portion it out into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. I usually aim for individual servings so it’s easy to just grab what I need. This soup stays delicious in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, just pop it in the fridge overnight to thaw, then reheat it gently on the stovetop or even in the microwave. It’s just as good as when you made it fresh! For more tips like these, check out my guide to freezer-friendly soup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Noodle Soup
Got questions about whipping up this comforting chicken noodle soup? I’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most common things folks ask:
Can I use different noodles in my chicken noodle soup?
Absolutely! While I adore the wide egg noodles for that classic feel, feel free to swap them out. Smaller pasta shapes like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or even alphabet pasta work wonderfully. Just be sure to cook them according to their package directions, and remember that some pastas can absorb more liquid, so you might need to add a splash more broth or water if it gets too thick.
How to make chicken noodle soup vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply swap out the chicken and chicken broth. Use firm or extra-firm tofu, chickpeas, or more veggies like peas and corn. For the broth, a good quality vegetable broth is your best bet. You’ll still get all that delicious flavor from the veggies and herbs!
What kind of chicken is best for this soup?
For this particular recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work perfectly because they cook quickly and are easy to shred. If you’re using a rotisserie chicken for a shortcut, that’s fantastic too – just shred the meat and add it towards the end! You can even use bone-in chicken pieces for a richer broth, but just be sure to remove them before shredding and adjust simmering time.
Can I make this chicken noodle soup in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you totally can! It makes for an even quicker weeknight soup. You’ll want to sauté the veggies and brown the chicken right in the Instant Pot, then add the broth and seasonings. Cook on high pressure for about 8-10 minutes, then do a quick release. Shred the chicken and add the noodles, cooking them on the sauté setting until tender. A lot of people love making crockpot chicken enchilada soup, and I find the Instant Pot works just as wonders for this classic!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Chicken Noodle Soup
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this delicious classic chicken noodle soup is an estimate, you know? It can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use, like if you go with low-sodium broth or a different kind of noodle. But generally, one serving (about 1.5 cups) comes in around:
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 10g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
Share Your Classic Comfort Food Creation
Alright, you’ve made it! I’d absolutely *love* it if you’d share your experience making this chicken noodle soup. Did it bring back memories, or maybe create some new ones? Please drop a comment below and let me know how yours turned out! And if you’re feeling inspired, why not share your thoughts about other recipes on our contact page? Happy cooking!
PrintClassic Chicken Noodle Soup
A comforting and easy homemade chicken noodle soup recipe, perfect for sick days or a cozy weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Total Time: 60 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium)
- 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
- 1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 6 ounces wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and set aside.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Return chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth, water, thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
- Stir in egg noodles and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until tender.
- Season soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For quicker cooking, you can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Shred the meat and add it in step 4.
- This soup freezes well. Let it cool completely, then store in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- You can add other vegetables like peas or corn in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg



