Chicken Noodle Soup

This homemade chicken noodle soup is warm, cozy, and packed with tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and hearty egg noodles all simmered in a rich, savory broth. It’s the classic comfort soup you’ll want on chilly days, when you’re feeling under the weather, or anytime you need something nourishing and satisfying. Made with simple pantry staples and simmered just long enough to build deep flavor, it’s so much better than anything from a can.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Why You’ll Love This

This homemade chicken noodle soup recipe is made from scratch with simple ingredients. The flavorful chicken, tender vegetables, and tender noodles make every bite satisfying. It beats store-bought hands down!

• Classic comfort: Warm, soothing, and perfect when you need something cozy.
• Simple ingredients: Made with basic vegetables, chicken, broth, and noodles — nothing fancy required.
• Rich, homemade flavor: Browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables builds a deep, savory broth.
• Customizable: Swap the noodles, change the vegetables, or use different cuts of chicken.
• Even better the next day: The flavors deepen beautifully as it rests.

Some of our other favorite soup recipes to make are Root Vegetable Soup, Thick and Hearty Homestyle Chili Recipe, Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, and Easy Creamy One Pot Chicken Stew.

Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs make the broth richer and more flavorful. Chicken breasts work too, but the soup won’t have quite the same depth.
• Vegetables: The classic trio — onion, celery, and carrots — builds the base flavor. Cut them evenly so they cook at the same rate.
• Chicken broth: Use low-sodium broth so you can control the seasoning. Homemade stock makes the soup even better.
• Herbs: Fresh thyme adds a clean, cozy flavor. If using dried thyme, reduce the amount (see recipe card).
• Egg noodles: Extra-wide egg noodles are traditional, but any pasta shape works. Cook them separately if you want to avoid sogginess in leftovers.
• Fresh parsley: Stirred in at the end for color and freshness.

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup

Step 1 – In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken pieces in the pot skin-side down, and sear until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken over and brown the other side for another 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate.

Step 2 – Add the butter to the Dutch oven, and add the celery, carrots, and onions. Sauté for 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic, fresh thyme, and bay leaf and cook for another minute.

Step 3 – Add the chicken and chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 4 – Remove the chicken to a cutting board, discard the thyme and bay leaf. Shred the chicken and discard the skin and bones. Add the noodles to the soup and cook until al dente according to the package instructions.

Step 5 – Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and warm for a few minutes. Stir in the fresh parsley and serve this classic chicken noodle soup as is or with a salad and bread.

Tips

• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for a richer, more flavorful broth.
• Sauté onions, carrots, and celery before adding liquid to deepen the flavor.
• Simmer the soup gently—boiling can make the chicken tough.
• Skim off any foam or fat that rises to the top while simmering for a clearer broth.
• Taste the chicken broth for seasoning before adding any salt. I use low-sodium broth so I can control most of the sodium content.
• Use homemade chicken stock for the best taste!
• Cook noodles separately and add them to each bowl just before serving to prevent them from getting mushy.
• When reheating leftovers, you may need to add more broth if you left the noodles in while storing.

Variations

• Use any shape of pasta you prefer! Elbow, bow tie, penne, rotini, etc.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts.
• You can use rotisserie chicken, but you will not achieve the depth of flavor that cooking it with raw chicken pieces gives you. Stir in the cooked chicken at the end and warm it through.

FAQs

More Chicken Soup Recipes

Share With Your Friends And Family!