Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, this recipe promises warmth, simplicity, and flavor that never fails to satisfy. Many soups try to compete, but the chicken noodle soup recipe stands unmatched because of its versatility. Packed with tender chicken, noodles, and veggies, this chicken noodle soup is the ultimate cozy meal for any day of the week. “This soup takes SO much less time than the traditional chicken broth that needs to cook all day long, and it is SO good!! Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup?
Season with salt and pepper to taste—I usually add a bit more salt, but it depends on your broth. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and let it simmer for a few minutes until warmed through. Bring the soup back to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then stir in the noodles. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and cook until nicely browned, 4 to 5 minutes. You may need to add more salt later, but it’s best to season at the beginning and build the flavor as you go. The secret is using a high-quality store-bought chicken broth that delivers rich flavor with minimal effort.
For individual servings, use the microwave heat in 45-second bursts, stirring in between until it’s evenly warmed. You’ll find a similar approach in make-ahead dishes like Creamy White Bean and Bacon Spinach Soup, which also keeps its flavor beautifully over time. For faster results, place the container in a bowl of warm water for 15–20 minutes before reheating. When you’re craving that comforting bowl later, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge. If you’re planning ahead, this soup also freezes beautifully. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days, depending on the freshness of the chicken you used.
- To freeze chicken noodle soup (with or without the noodles), pour serving-sized portions of the cooled soup into freezer bags labeled with the date.
- When using rotisserie chicken, add it at the very end to prevent dryness.
- “This soup takes SO much less time than the traditional chicken broth that needs to cook all day long, and it is SO good!!
- Bring the soup back to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then stir in the noodles.
- Use airtight glass or BPA-free plastic containers to lock in flavor and prevent spills.
- Chicken noodle soup is a meal in and of itself, so you don’t really need to pair it with any sides (besides maybe a few saltine crackers).
Improvise With Ingredients You Already Have
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months, storing the broth and chicken separately.
- It’s a great shortcut for busy nights and still adds plenty of flavor.
- Add the onion, celery, and carrot (our aromatics) to the pot and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes.
- Turn the chicken over with tongs and cook until golden brown on the second side.
- Chicken noodle soup is fantastic fresh out of the pot, but it can also be stored.
- From the gentle simmer of the broth to the tender noodles and juicy chicken, every spoonful feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.
Shred it into bite-sized pieces with two forks, discarding the skin and bones—they’ve already done their job flavoring the broth. Use tongs to lift the chicken from the pot and set it on a cutting board. When the chicken is cooked through, remove and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked.
There’s something irresistibly comforting about this chicken noodle soup recipe that makes it a household favorite. Homemade chicken noodle soup recipe is pure comfort in a bowl a timeless classic that’s been loved for generations. With tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and slurp-worthy noodles, this classic dish wraps you in warmth and flavor. Nothing soothes like a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup recipe. You can make this chicken noodle soup partly ahead of time—just up to the point of adding the noodles. You will love this homemade chicken noodle soup, which skips cooking a whole chicken and calls on boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead.
What’s the best chicken to use for chicken noodle soup?
Pour in the stock and water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon (we want that flavor in our broth!). We’ll begin by browning the chicken to develop a deep flavor that we’ll then capture in our broth.. "It's also super easy to make when you don't feel well! I add about 3 more cups of broth so that I can just use a whole pound of noodles. So delicious!" If you're making this recipe with the intention of freezing it, consider preparing the soup and noodles separately. You can freeze chicken noodle soup — and you should if you don't plan to eat it within a few days. Store leftover chicken noodle soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
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The soup tastes incredible, satisfying, and classic, and the significantly reduced cooking time makes it perfect for a weeknight. Cook heartier vegetables like mushrooms with the onions and garlic, then add the quicker-cooking ones toward the end so they stay bright and tender. I like cooking them directly in the soup so they soak up all that delicious chicken flavor. They fit nicely in the pot, cook through in about 20 minutes, and release lots of flavor into the broth as they simmer. If you’d like to cook this soup in advance, the same recommendation applies, though if you’re making it ahead of time, I’d recommend skipping the noodles completely. Chunks of juicy chicken mingle with carrots, celery, and tender egg noodles in a deep, savory broth for a soup that will transport you right back to Grandma’s table after just one spoonful.
Add the broth, onion, carrots, celery, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf to the pot. Flip and cook for another 4 minutes, until golden on the other side. Since 2009, we’ve been dedicated to creating trusted, easy recipes to help home cooks feel confident and excited in the kitchen. Or make it more filling with cooked rice, quinoa, or barley instead of noodles. It’s a great shortcut for busy nights and still adds plenty of flavor.
What is Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Whether you're feeling under the weather or you're just in need of a little comfort, this comforting soup will warm you up from the inside out. You may opt out at any time. Catherine Jessee is a writer, editor, and recipe developer with a passion for Appalachian foodways, culture, and history. Yes, this soup freezes wonderfully for up to three months.
How to Make the Best Chicken Stock
And remember, cooking isn’t about perfection it’s about creating moments that feed both the soul and the stomach. For a thinner broth, simply add more chicken stock or a bit of warm water. Homemade soup uses real broth, herbs, and vegetables, not preservatives. You can also use leftover roasted chicken or simmer raw chicken thighs in the broth for added depth. Rotisserie chicken is a top choice for its tender texture and rich flavor.
3 sprigs fresh thyme or use 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 5 ounces egg noodles or pasta of choice (140g) 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, 4 to 5 thighs (450g) It gives the broth a silky texture and makes it more luxurious. A few dashes of fish sauce (my secret weapon) work wonders in this soup.
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When using rotisserie chicken, add it at the very end to prevent dryness. If you overcook them, the texture becomes mushy and the broth cloudy. To balance the broth, add herbs in layers thyme for warmth, rosemary for fragrance, and a hint of red pepper flakes for hotloot casino login a light kick.
You’re not really looking to brown them, just soften them a bit and cook off that raw onion and garlic flavor. It tastes way better than store-bought and it’s fast! Not to mention it’s my go-to soup whenever it’s chilly or someone is sick. If they’re stored together, the noodles will soak up the liquid and turn to mush—and there won’t be any broth left. If you have leftovers, I strongly suggest (okay, BEG) that you store the noodles separately from the broth. Gentle heat is the key to extracting maximum flavor while ensuring moist, juicy meat.
Now let's bring our shredded chicken back into play. Remove and discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs from the broth. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove and discard the skin and bones from both white and dark meat parts. Continue to simmer the dark meat pieces for another 40 minutes, then transfer to the cutting board and let cool slightly. About 5 minutes per side should be sufficient. Cook, undisturbed, until golden brown underneath (the more you move the chicken, the less it will brown—so don’t do it!).