How to Make the Perfect Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
American · Easy · 55 min · 6 servings
A timeless homemade chicken noodle soup with tender shredded chicken, hearty vegetables, and egg noodles in a golden broth. This soul warming bowl is the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Why this recipe works
This Classic Chicken Noodle Soup recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 55 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 310 calories with 28g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 medium carrots sliced
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups egg noodles uncooked
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Saute the vegetables
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 6 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and dried thyme and cook for 1 more minute.
Step 2: Cook the chicken
Add the whole chicken breasts directly to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a steady simmer and cook the chicken for 20 minutes until fully cooked through.
Step 3: Shred the chicken
Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot and place on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken back to the pot.
Step 4: Add the noodles
Bring the soup back to a boil and add the egg noodles. Cook according to package directions, usually 7 to 9 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Do not overcook the noodles or they will become mushy.
Step 5: Season and serve
Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley. Ladle into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread or crackers on the side.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- boneless skinless chicken breasts → bone in chicken thighs for richer flavor
- egg noodles → rotini or any short pasta shape
- dried thyme → fresh thyme using 3 sprigs added with the broth
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding the noodles too early which causes them to soak up all the broth and become mushy
- Cooking the soup at a rolling boil the entire time which makes the chicken tough and the broth cloudy
- Under seasoning the broth which results in a flat and bland finished soup
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 310 calories, 28g protein, 30g carbs, 8g fat, 3g fiber.
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