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Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade chicken noodle soup is the perfect comfort soup on a chilly day. It’s easy to make from scratch with simple ingredients and always full of delicious flavor. My family has declared it the best!

Love this soup recipe? Others dishes with the same flavor profile include my chicken noodle casserole recipe and crockpot chicken noodle soup!

Chicken noodle soup in a white bowl with bread.
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Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

This easy chicken noodle soup is on of my favorite soup recipes! It’s so delicious and is perfect on a chilly fall day served with homemade dinner rolls or my favorite Parker House rolls recipe.

It’s the perfect recipe for when you don’t have hours to stand at the stove yet want a soup that has all the classic taste. It’s one of my family’s favorites and is on rotation at least once a month from September through March.

It’s also great for when you’re under the weather. Whenever I feel a cold coming on, I always crave a bowl of this soup or my chicken lemon orzo soup. It’s one of those comfort meals that is actually pretty healthy, too.

Recipe Ingredients

Chicken noodle soup ingredients on countertop.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chicken: I like to use chicken breasts cut up in bite-sized pieces for quicker cooking.
  • Veggies: Onions, garlic, carrots, and celery give this soup its heartiness and fresh flavors.
  • Flour: Cooking this before adding any liquid helps toast out the flavor and thicken the soup.
  • Seasonings: Thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper give this soup a nice boost of flavor.
  • Broth: Chicken broth helps cook the vegetables and chicken, as well as act as the backdrop to bring everything together.
  • Lemon juice: Just a little bit of citrus to brighten the soup.
  • Noodles: Homemade egg noodles are my favorite and cook pretty quickly. Store-bought works, too!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Variations

Create the best chicken noodle soup, your way! This soup is a classic but always has its own variation. Make this noodle soup with chicken just the way you like it!

  • Mix up the herbs by using rosemary, bay leaves, oregano, or whatever you have on hand.
  • Chicken thighs also work well, if you’d prefer dark meat.
  • If you don’t have any fresh parsley on hand, you can add about 2-3 teaspoons dried parsley.
  • You can mix in some spinach or chopped kale at the very end to add more veggies. Want more veggies? Make this chicken vegetable soup instead!
  • Beef instead? Make this beef noodle soup instead!

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup

Showing how to make chicken noodle soup in a 4 step collage.
  1. Cook onions and garlic. In a medium-sized stockpot, melt butter over medium-heat. Add onions and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until onions are translucent. Then slowly add in flour and stir until it forms into a thick, golden brown paste.
  2. Add chicken stock, veggies and spices. Slowly whisk in chicken stock and bring to a light simmer. Then add chicken, carrots, celery, lemon juice, parsley and thyme. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Stir in noodles and simmer. Add the egg noodles and simmer for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until both the noodles and chicken are cooked in this soup.
  4. Serve. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Top with fresh parsley if desired!
Chicken noodle soup cooked in a blue pot.

Best Tips

  • You can use shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • This recipe also tastes great with leftover roasted turkey from the holidays. You can also sub homemade turkey stock for chicken stock.
  • Egg noodles are my favorite pasta, but rotini, or elbow noodles would also taste delicious.
  • When chopping up the vegetables, be sure to chop them evenly (all the same size) in order to have them properly cook together.
Noodle soup with chicken and vegetables in a white bowl.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this chicken noodle soup recipe gluten-free?

Of course! Swap the egg noodles for a gluten-free noodle or even garbanzo beans. You can also opt to omit the noodles and instead add a lot more veggies, like spinach, kale, broccoli, green beans, peas, etc.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked?

Chicken is cooked when it reads 165°F with an instant read thermometer. You can also cut into the chicken to see if any pink remains. If so, keep cooking.  

Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?

Yes! Instant Pot chicken noodle soup is just as easy to make and will be ready a few minutes faster than the stovetop version. Even the noodles cook in the pot too!

Is eating chicken noodle soup healthy?

Yes! Chicken noodle soup is perfect for cold days and always full of flavor but it does have provide important health benefits. Each ingredient contributes its own nutrition. The broth provides magnesium, sodium, and potassium which help increase hydration and helps lowering high body temperatures when sick or ill.

Freezer Instructions

You can easily double this recipe and freeze half for later. It’s perfect for busy nights where you need something quick and simple. I would suggest omitting the egg noodles if freezing. They tend to separate and get a bit mushy. When you’re ready to enjoy the soup, simply cook the egg noodles in a separate pot while it reheats.

To freeze: Allow the chicken noodle soup to cool and then place in a zip top bag or freezer container. Then place in the freezer. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator (set in a pan so it doesn’t make a mess) or in the sink. Then reheat the noodle soup on the stove or in the microwave (cook the noodles separately while it reheats). Add the cooked noodles into the bowls first, then ladle the soup on top.

5 star review

“Such a delicious recipe! Served this for dinner last night and it has quickly become a new family favorite recipe! Yum!”

-Beth

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bowl of chicken noodle soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

5 from 15 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Chicken noodle soup is the perfect comfort soup on a chilly day. Simple to make and full of delicious flavor. It will become an instant favorite!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 5

Ingredients 

  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • ½ cup chopped yellow onion
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast , cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2-3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley , plus more for topping (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1 ½ cups dry egg noodles
  • Salt , to taste
  • Ground black pepper , to taste

S&P, to taste

    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized stockpot over medium heat, melt butter. Add carrots, celery and onions. Cook for a few minutes. Then stir in garlic and cook until the onions become translucent. Slowly whisk in the flour until it becomes a thick paste and turns a light golden brown.
    • Add in the chicken pieces, lemon juice and seasonings. Slowly whisk in chicken stock and bring to a light simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
    • Stir in noodles and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, or until the noodles and chicken are cooked through. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
    • Serve warm and top with fresh parsley, if desired.

    Notes

    To freeze: Prepare as directed, however omit the egg noodles. Let soup cool, then place in a zip-top bag or freezer container and store in freezer. To thaw, place in refrigerator (set in a pan so it doesn’t make a mess) or in the sink. Then reheat on the stove or in the microwave (cook the noodles separately while it reheats). Stir in the noodles and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 446mg | Potassium: 716mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4641IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

    Chicken noodle soup in a white bowl with bread on side..

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