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

What is the secret to soup? ›

7 Tips for Successful Soup Making
  • Use a Sturdy Pot. It is worth investing in a heavy pot with a thick bottom to use for making soup. ...
  • Sauté the Aromatics. ...
  • Start with Good Broth. ...
  • Cut Vegetables to the Right Size. ...
  • Stagger the Addition of Vegetables. ...
  • Keep Liquid at a Simmer. ...
  • Season Just Before Serving.
Oct 9, 2022

Why do people say to eat chicken noodle soup when you re sick? ›

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 does chicken noodle soup make your stomach feel better? ›

Chicken soup is a staple for upset stomachs for a reason. It provides vitamins, protein and other nutrients, and it can help keep you hydrated. You don't need to use a lot of different ingredients to get the benefits either. This basic chicken soup recipe can help you feel better in no time.

What makes chicken noodle soup so healthy? ›

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.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

Use fresh, good quality ingredients like vegetables and herbs. Add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice to your soup to make it taste better. Use a high-quality broth or stock as a base for your soup. Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness.

Does chicken soup really make you feel better? ›

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.

Is Campbell's chicken noodle soup healthy? ›

Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup

Campbell's condensed chicken noodle soup is a classic and one of the most popular canned soups. But Frost, Gonzalez and Tills all said it's the least-healthy choice because it's so high in sodium: 890 mg per serving, or 39% of your daily value.

How healthy is homemade chicken noodle soup? ›

Yes, homemade chicken noodle soup is healthy, and much healthier than store-bought soups which are usually loaded with sodium and other artificial flavors and preservatives. Chicken broth or stock (especially when homemade) are loaded with vitamins and minerals, and soothing for the body.

What soup is easiest on the stomach? ›

Broth-Based Soup: Chicken soup, especially when it's broth-based, can be a relatively gentle option for individuals with gastritis or stomach ulcers. The broth is often soothing and can provide some nutrition.

Is peanut butter good for diarrhea? ›

The IFFGD list a range of bland foods — including potatoes, noodles, yogurt, cream of wheat, some fruits and vegetables, and a small amount of peanut butter — that can increase nutrient content and electrolytes.

What not to eat with stomach cramps? ›

According to Dr. Lee, foods to avoid with an upset stomach include:
  • Spicy foods.
  • Greasy or oily foods.
  • Fried foods.
  • Fatty foods.
  • Certain dairy foods, like milk, soft cheeses and ice cream.
  • Alcohol.
  • Caffeine.
  • Foods containing insoluble fiber, such as whole wheat foods, nuts and seeds, beans and raw and cruciferous vegetables.
Feb 22, 2024

Is it OK to eat chicken soup everyday? ›

Eating chicken noodle soup as your main meal daily may provide some benefits, but it's important to consider your diet's nutritional balance and variety. It's important to remember that chicken noodle soup alone may not provide all the nutrients your body needs.

Is the liquid in chicken noodle soup good for you? ›

The results also suggest that chicken broth and chicken noodle soup increase the body's fluid restoration better than popular sport drinks. For the study, researchers first induced dehydration in participants through a combination of mild exercise and heat exposure.

Why are egg noodles better for chicken noodle soup? ›

Egg noodles, as their name suggests, include the addition of egg, which creates a more tender, fluffier, and savory result. Not only do they have their own flavorful footprint, but they also match -- and easily absorb -- the savoriness of an herby chicken broth, ensuring each slurp is as tasty as can be.

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

What are 2 principles of soup making? ›

The document provides 5 basic principles of preparing soup: 1) Starting with cold water. 2) Cutting vegetables to an appropriate size. 3) Selecting a protein such as beef, chicken, pork, or fish. 4) Simmering the soup for 4 hours.

What are three qualities of a good soup? ›

A soup's quality is determined by its flavor, appearance and texture. A good soup should be full-flavored, with no off or sour tastes. Flavors from each of the soup's ingre- dients should blend and complement, with no one flavor overpowering another.

What adds body to soup? ›

Add lentils or rice

Blended lentils and rice can also add body to a soup. Red lentils work in tomato soups such as this recipe, and rice can be used in green soups or where a vegetable like cauliflower has been used. Cook them until they're tender, then blend them into the soup.

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