If there’s one dish that wraps you up in a warm, cozy hug on a chilly day, it’s Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: A Comforting Classic Recipe. This beloved soup combines tender shredded chicken, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles all swimming in a rich, flavorful broth. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing each ingredient’s natural goodness to shine, making it the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to prepare yet deeply satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of wholesome, fresh ingredients is all it takes for this recipe to shine. Each component plays a vital role—from the savory depth of chicken stock to the subtle sweetness of carrots and the bright hint of fresh parsley, these ingredients work together to create a symphony of flavor and texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides a rich base to sauté vegetables and start the flavor development.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and aromatic depth once softened.
- Carrots: Bring color and a gentle sweetness for balance.
- Celery: Offers a subtle earthiness and crunch that complements the soup.
- Garlic: Infuses the broth with warmth and a fragrant punch.
- Chicken Stock or Broth: The heart of the soup, offering savory richness and body.
- Cooked Chicken: Tender shredded chicken delivers essential protein and hearty texture.
- Egg Noodles: Classic choice providing comforting bite and substance.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
- Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that feels timeless in chicken soup.
- Bay Leaves: Impart a gentle complexity to the broth as it simmers.
- Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh finish when sprinkled on top.
- Lemon Juice (Optional): Adds a refreshing brightness that lifts the entire dish.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: A Comforting Classic Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Vegetables to Build Flavor
Start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking them gently for 5 to 7 minutes. The goal is to soften these vegetables just enough to unlock their natural sweetness, setting a flavorful foundation for the soup.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Seasonings for Aroma
Next, stir in the minced garlic along with dried thyme and bay leaves. Cooking these together for a minute or two releases their aromatic oils, infusing the soup base with unmistakable warmth and complexity you associate with a comforting classic.
Step 3: Pour in Broth and Incorporate Chicken
Pour the chicken stock into the pot and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Once bubbling softly, add the shredded cooked chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, letting the ingredients mingle and deepen their flavors in the gentle heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles Until Tender
Drop the egg noodles into the simmering soup. Cook just until tender, following package directions—usually 7 to 9 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep the noodles from sticking and to evenly distribute their comforting texture throughout the broth.
Step 5: Finish with Freshness and Serve
When the noodles are perfectly cooked, remove the bay leaves. Stir in chopped fresh parsley and a splash of lemon juice if you like, which adds a lovely brightness to the soup. A final taste test will ensure every spoonful sings with balance and warmth before serving hot.
How to Serve Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: A Comforting Classic Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a must for garnishing, offering a vibrant pop of color and a fresh herbal note that complements the soup’s depth. For an extra zing, a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving can brighten and elevate each bite, creating a beautiful contrast with the savory broth.
Side Dishes
Pairing this soup with crusty bread or buttery crackers amplifies the comforting experience. A simple green salad or roasted vegetables also make excellent companions, providing fresh textures and flavors to round out your meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the soup in rustic bowls for a charming, homey feel, or go elegant with clear glass mugs to show off the colorful ingredients. For a fun twist, try serving the soup as a starter in mini bread bowls—perfect for sharing warm moments around the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the noodles separate until reheating can help maintain their texture and prevent the soup from becoming too thick or mushy.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully. For best results, cool it completely before freezing in portion-sized containers. Since noodles don’t freeze well, consider adding fresh noodles after thawing and reheating to keep the texture just right.
Reheating
Warm the soup gently over medium-low heat on the stove, stirring often. If you’ve stored noodles separately, add them in towards the end. A splash of additional broth or water can revive the soup if it’s thickened too much during storage.
FAQs
Can I use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for this soup?
Absolutely! Using shredded leftover or rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut that adds wonderful flavor and texture without extra effort, making this recipe even more accessible.
What type of noodles work best for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup?
Egg noodles are traditional and offer a perfect tender chew, but you can swap in any noodle you like—spaghetti broken into pieces, small shell pasta, or even gluten-free options all work well.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
You can easily adapt the soup by substituting vegetable broth for chicken stock and omitting the chicken. Add extra veggies, beans, or tofu for protein and heartiness.
How can I make the soup more flavorful?
Using homemade chicken stock, fresh herbs, and the optional lemon juice really enhances the depth and brightness of the soup. Also, gently sautéing your vegetables to soften and sweeten them brings out the best flavors.
Can I prepare this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Simply add all ingredients except noodles and fresh parsley to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add noodles and parsley in the last 30 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: A Comforting Classic Recipe that makes it a timeless favorite in any kitchen. It’s cozy, nourishing, and surprisingly simple to make, ensuring you always have a go-to meal to brighten up the day. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and enjoy all the warmth and love it brings with each bowlful.
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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: A Comforting Classic Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is a comforting classic made with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles simmered in flavorful chicken broth. Perfect for chilly days or when you need a warm, nourishing meal, this recipe features simple ingredients and easy steps to create a delicious, satisfying soup from scratch.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced (½-inch pieces)
- 2 celery stalks, diced (½-inch pieces)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken stock or broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded, rotisserie chicken works well)
- 2 cups egg noodles (or other noodles of choice)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or fresh thyme sprigs)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for a fresh finish)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes while stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften and begin to release their aroma.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Incorporate the minced garlic, dried thyme, and bay leaves into the pot. Stir well and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the garlic to become fragrant without burning.
- Add Broth and Chicken: Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, add the shredded cooked chicken, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it gently simmer for 10-15 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
- Cook Noodles: Add the egg noodles to the pot. Cook according to package instructions, usually about 7-9 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Finish and Serve: Once the noodles are cooked, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the chopped fresh parsley and optional lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Serve the soup hot and enjoy the comforting warmth.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
- Low-sodium broth is recommended so you can control salt levels.
- Feel free to substitute egg noodles with any pasta you prefer.
- Lemon juice adds a fresh, tangy finish but can be omitted if desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
