Experience the ultimate comfort in a bowl. This classic chicken noodle soup is light, warm, and incredibly soothing. Packed with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a rich, savory broth, it is the perfect meal for a cozy night in or whenever you need a wholesome pick-me-up.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil (or butter)
- 1 medium Yellow onion (chopped)
- 3 medium Carrots (peeled and sliced into rounds)
- 2 stalks Celery (chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 8 cups Chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1/2 tsp Dried thyme (or oregano)
- 2.5 cups Cooked chicken (shredded or diced – rotisserie chicken works great)
- 2 cups Wide egg noodles (dry)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery (the mirepoix). Sauté for 6-8 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and the onions become translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, season with salt and black pepper, and bring the soup to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the carrots and celery are completely tender.
- Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and the dry egg noodles. Simmer uncovered for about 5-8 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked to your desired tenderness.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the freshly chopped parsley, taste the broth to adjust the salt and pepper if necessary, and serve hot!
Nutrition
Calories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 19gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 1630mgPotassium: 396mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 5310IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg
The Ultimate Comfort Food
When it comes to pure, restorative comfort, nothing beats a steaming, warm bowl of classic homemade chicken noodle. It is light on the stomach yet deeply satisfying, making it an absolute must-have that easily claims a top spot among the top 10 best soup recipes ever. It is the culinary equivalent of a warm hug on a cold day.
Why This is One of the Top 10 Best Soup Recipes Ever
This timeless classic isn’t just popular because of nostalgia; it is fundamentally a perfect recipe. Here is why this comforting bowl outshines the rest:
- Incredibly Customizable: The beauty of this soup is its flexibility. You can easily swap the egg noodles for rice, add extra greens like spinach, or throw in whatever leftover vegetables you have in the fridge.
- Light Yet Satisfying: The clear, savory broth provides deep flavor without feeling heavy or greasy, making it the perfect meal for when you want something warm and gentle.
- Quick Assembly: By using pre-cooked or leftover rotisserie chicken, you bypass hours of boiling, creating a deeply flavorful, homemade soup from scratch in under 45 minutes.
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Noodle Soup
- Cook Noodles Separately for Leftovers: If you plan to have leftovers, cook the noodles in a separate pot of boiling water and add them to individual bowls. Noodles left sitting in the broth will soak up all the liquid and become mushy in the fridge overnight.
- The Flavor Base: Do not rush sautéing your onions, carrots, and celery. Taking the time to soften them slowly builds the foundational flavor of the entire pot.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: A handful of freshly chopped parsley added right at the very end brightens the rich chicken broth and gives the soup a beautiful, vibrant finish.