Literally the BEST Chicken Noodle Soup - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This is literally the BEST chicken noodle soup full of chicken, sliced carrots,celery, and tender wide noodles. A classic homemade soup seasoned and cooked to perfection. It’s the perfect warm and comforting soup for the winter!

Warm up to this savory soup this wintertime. Or make a hot pot of soup for your loved ones who aren’t feeling well. I have some classic favorites that everyone will love! Try this homemade tomato basil soup, broccoli cheese soup, or this delicious minestrone.

Literally the BEST Chicken Noodle Soup - The Recipe Critic (1)

The BEST Chicken Noodle Soup

This is literally the BEST chicken noodle soup recipe EVER! The flavoring is absolutely incredible, and the ingredients are simple. Colder days are here and still ahead of us, and you know a good chicken noodle soup is going to be needed to get you through. This soup is perfect because it’s so hearty and filled with chunks of chicken, thick slices of vegetables, and all the flavor you can imagine with simple and easy ingredients.

Homemade chicken noodle soup is made for those days when you are sick and just need some comfort food to fill you up and warm your core. When I make this soup, my entire family loves it, and I know that yours will too! Pair this soup with easy no-knead bread, my Grandma’s homemade bread, or these rolls, and you’re all set! Trust me when I say that you will want to double this recipe to have more often than not this winter season.

Ingredients to Make Chicken Noodle Soup

This chicken noodle soup is just what you need this winter season. Everything is so simple to throw together and perfect for that leftover chicken! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient measurements.

  • Olive oil: Olive oil is great for sautéing your vegetables and making sure that they don’t stick.
  • Carrots: Slice these up as thick as you prefer.
  • Celery: You can cut these up into larger or smaller slices, depending on your preference. My kids always like all the vegetables chopped up into tiny pieces!
  • Onion: Chop this onion up into pieces that are the same size so that it cooks evenly.
  • Garlic Cloves: If you don’t have any fresh garlic cloves on hand then you can use minced garlic. 1/2 teaspoon equals about 1 clove of garlic.
  • Thyme: Fresh thyme stems really add a deep flavor to the broth.
  • Salt and pepper: You only need a pinch to have these make an impact.
  • Chicken broth: The chicken broth adds a lot of depth and flavor to the base of the soup.
  • Egg noodles: Using egg noodles that are thick will help to soak up the broth when eating.
  • Chicken: You can use the leftover chicken that you have on hand. Or make it easy on yourself and grab a rotisserie chicken from the store and shred that up to put in this recipe!
  • Parsley: The parsley pairs well with the thyme creating a very flavorful seasoning.

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup comes together quickly and effortlessly with these few steps. Simply sauté your vegetables, add broth and noodles, then simmer with your leftover chicken- it is that simple! You will have a quick and easy dinner within 20 minutes.

  1. SautéVegetables and Seasonings:In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté until tender 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, fresh thyme, and salt and pepper and sauté for 1 minute more.
  2. Add Brothand Noodles: Pour in the chicken broth and egg noodles and bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce to a simmer and let the noodles cook until al dente for about 10 minutes.
  3. Add Chicken and Simmer Until Ready to Serve:Add in the chicken, and fresh parsley right before serving and continue to simmer until the chicken is heated throughout. Salt and pepper additionally to taste.
Literally the BEST Chicken Noodle Soup - The Recipe Critic (2)

Variations to Try

I love my chicken noodle soup simple with just a few ingredients and flavorings. But here are more adventurous ways of making chicken noodle soup recipes! Substitute or add in to make this chicken noodle soup recipe your own.

  • Oil: Instead of oil you can use butter to sauté the vegetables.
  • Vegetables: Spinach, green beans, peas, zucchini, canned tomatoes, corn, or even potatoes are some things to try.
  • Seasoning:Try adding or substituting any herbs for fresh or dry.
  • Meat: Leftover meat is always best and tryingturkey, variations of chicken, or shredded ham is always great.
  • Broth: Switch out your chicken broth for turkey broth or bone broth for different variations.
  • Noodles: Tortellini, bowtie pasta, small shell pasta, or even spaghetti noodles are great to have if you don’t have egg noodles on hand.
Literally the BEST Chicken Noodle Soup - The Recipe Critic (3)

Cooking Tips

This chicken noodle soup recipe is simple and easy to make. And then, what is even better is how quickly and easily it all comes together and tastes AMAZING! With these simple-to-use tips, you will have one fantastic chicken noodle soup! You will have your family and friends asking for more because it is one of the BEST chicken noodle soup recipes out there.

  • Cut Veggies In Advance: To plan ahead, cut up your vegetables the night before or the morning before cooking. That way it just takes minutes to put everything in the pot.
  • Larger Slices: Avoid your vegetables from getting soft and mushy by cutting them larger if you plan to simmer or use a slow cooker.
  • Use a Slow Cooker: Use a slow cooker for cooking your chicken noodle soup. Follow the recipe just leave out your noodles until ready to serve.
  • Thicker Soup: To thicken your soup, add starch like flour or cornstarch. In a separate bowl, add about one tablespoon mixed with water and then continue to add more depending on the thickness and consistency you are looking for. If you plan to thicken your soup don’t add the flour or cornstarch directly into the soup. It will clump up and won’t work to thicken the broth.
  • Add More Broth: As your noodles sit in the broth it will continue to absorb the broth and you will need to add more when warming up again.
Literally the BEST Chicken Noodle Soup - The Recipe Critic (4)

Storing Leftover Soup

I love to double my chicken noodle soup recipe to have for now and then store it in the freezer. It will be the one soup everyone is raving about this winter season! It makes it perfect for warming up on cold winter days or when I know someone is not feeling well.

  • In the Refrigerator: Follow the recipe and let cool completely. Once your chicken noodle soup is cooled, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. When reheating you may need to add in more broth.
  • In the Freezer: Yes, this chicken noodle soup will freeze well. Follow the directions for making the chicken noodle soup except skip adding in the noodles. Allow the chicken noodle soup to cool completely. Place in a ziplock bag and lay flat in the freezer. Make sure that you label the bag with the date! This will last in the freezer for about one month. When ready to warm up you can thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
  • To Reheat: When you are ready to eat you can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave and add in the noodles at this time. As your noodles sit in the broth it will continue to absorb the broth and you will need to add more when warming up again.

More Delicious and Hearty Soup Recipes

I love to make sure I have a lot of soup recipes on hand for those long winter months! If you need some more ideas for new soups to try then you must try these other amazing recipes! They are favorites in our family and requested again and again. Plus, soups can last a few days in the refrigerator and make fantastic leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day!

Soup

Award Winning Cheeseburger Soup

45 mins

Soup

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

35 mins

Soup

Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

6 hrs 20 mins

Soup

Slow Cooker Pasta e fa*gioli Soup

7 hrs 10 mins

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Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

4.89 from 18 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

This is literally the BEST chicken noodle soup full of chicken, sliced carrots,celery, and tender wide noodles. A classic homemade soup seasoned and cooked to perfection. It's the perfect warm and comforting soup for the winter!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté until tender 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 1 minute more.

  • Pour in the chicken broth and egg noodles and bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce to a simmer and let the noodles cook until al dente for about 10 minutes.

  • Add in the chicken, and fresh parsley right before serving and continue to simmer until the chicken is heated throughout. Salt and pepper added to taste.

Video

Notes

Originally Posted on December 1, 2019

Updated on October 5, 2023

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 17gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1134mgPotassium: 562mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 5312IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Literally the BEST Chicken Noodle Soup - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Why do doctors recommend chicken noodle soup? ›

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

Why do people put lemon juice in chicken noodle soup? ›

use a bit of lemon juice in mine to brighten up the. flavor, and it adds such a welcome element. I love to. use a fun pasta shape for a soup like this, such as.

Why does Campbell's chicken noodle soup make you feel better? ›

The inherent heat in this culinary cure-all is an important factor for why chicken soup can help a cold. Steam that emerges from hot soup has the ability to open up your airways which often get blocked when sick.

Why chicken noodle soup is the best? ›

All those bits of carrot, celery, and onion commonly found in chicken noodle soup are a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as other antioxidants and minerals. “Not only does this help build a healthy immune system to fight off viruses, it also helps your body recover from illness more quickly,” Allonen says.

Is it okay to eat chicken noodle soup everyday? ›

Along with a high saturated fat content, soup can come with an overload of sodium, as well. The American Heart Association recommends the average person consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, but an ordinary can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup already has 890 milligrams of sodium per serving.

Is chicken noodle soup healthy or unhealthy? ›

"It's packed with a range of macro- and micronutrients, including protein, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, amino acids, and more. It also contains powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients." Research suggests that chicken noodle soup may prove particularly beneficial when you're sick.

Why add vinegar to chicken noodle soup? ›

Add Vinegar To Begin With To Avoid Oversalting

Vinegar, much like salt, is a flavor enhancer — it not only imparts its own taste and acidity to a soup, but in small quantities, it helps to bring out the brightness of other ingredients as well.

Why do you put vinegar in chicken soup? ›

Whether it's white wine or vinegar, a touch of acid added to the simmering pot will create a richer finished product. That's because acid helps break down the cartilage and other connective tissues in the bones of the chicken, which helps speed up the formation of gelatin in the stock.

What brings out the flavor in chicken soup? ›

Here are a few ideas:
  1. Add a variety of herbs and spices to the broth - try adding some oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and cumin.
  2. Even better - add some garlic and onion for additional flavor.
  3. You can also throw in some veggies like carrots, celery, and potatoes for an added crunch.
Mar 5, 2023

Why does chicken soup make you sleepy? ›

It's sleepy-time

Chicken is a protein that is known to be high in tryptophan levels,” explains Duffell. “Tryptophan helps produce serotonin, which promotes sleep. After eating, there is a multi-step process where the tryptophan is broken down before becoming serotonin.

How healthy is homemade chicken noodle soup? ›

Research shows that homemade chicken soup is good for you. According to bidmc.org, the vitamins and minerals found in the veggies bolster your immune system, and so does the protein from the chicken. Also, brothy soups like this one are hydrating and help relieve inflammation and congestion in the respiratory system.

What sickness does chicken noodle soup help? ›

If your little one is battling the flu or a cold, chicken soup can help in a few ways. It may support the body's immune response, provide hydration and replenish electrolytes, moisten mucus, and even soothe a sore throat.

Is chicken stock or broth better for chicken noodle soup? ›

Whether to use chicken broth or chicken stock depends on what recipe you're preparing. If you're making a simple soup like chicken noodle soup and the liquid is going to be consumed as is, then you can use chicken broth.

Is it better to use chicken broth or chicken stock for chicken noodle soup? ›

In most cases, stock and broth are interchangeable. If you're in the soup aisle and can't remember whether the recipe called for stock or broth, either will do for making soup, gravy, or a flavorful pot of rice or grains. Keep in mind that stock is unseasoned, and broth is seasoned.

Does chicken soup taste better the longer you cook it? ›

While broth and stock both get richer and richer the longer you cook them, the problem is that the chicken meat will dry out and get tough if you let it go too long.

Do doctors recommend chicken soup? ›

Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu. Some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Though research is scant, experts say chicken soup is worth a try when you're sick.

Why is chicken soup good for illness? ›

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

Why do doctors recommend eating soup when we are sick? ›

The sodium in the recipe helps relieve sore throat pain (the same principle behind gargling warm salt water), the heat helps clear nasal congestion, and can relieve pain and sinus pressure.

What does chicken soup do for the body? ›

Chicken soup has been used to treat respiratory tract disorders, asthma and facial pain among other ailments. It hastens the removal of pathogens from the nose. Apart from this, a warm bowl of hearty chicken soup during the rains at the comfort of your couch is maybe everything that you need.

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