By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 26, 2023
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is the ultimate comfort food! This easy chicken noodle soup recipe is made right in your kitchen, and it tastes like home. Learning how to make chicken noodle soup is simple; so much easier than I thought! Make a pot of this soup to warm you up all winter long!
What’s in this Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe?
This is Mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup recipe, and anytime Mom makes something, you know it’s good! A bowl of hot chicken noodle soup is such a classic, something we should all know how to make at home.
It’s a simple thing to make, but it all starts with the ingredients. We need the best of the best to go into this recipe; all the right vegetables, all the right herbs. That’s what makes it taste so good, obviously!
- Olive Oil: Helps the veggies and butter to cook without burning. You can use canola, vegetable, or avocado oil instead.
- Butter: Unsalted butter flavors the base of the soup.
- Carrots: Add a sweet and earthy flavor. You’ll need about 3-4 carrots.
- Celery: Adds a sweet and herby flavor. You’ll need 2 ribs.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a sweet and slightly astringent flavor.
- Garlic: Adds rich, earthy flavor.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the soup. I like unsalted chicken broth, like Swanson brand. You can also use homemade chicken broth or stock.
- Dry Sherry: Adds a crisp, tangy, and slightly nutty flavor to the soup. If you’re not a fan of wine, you can swap this out for more broth.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds a woody, spicy, warming flavor to the soup.
- Parsley: Adds fresh herbal flavor. You can use dried or fresh.
- Parisien Bonnes Herbs: A delicious blend of chives, dill, basil, French tarragon, chervil, and white pepper that deepens the flavor of this soup.
- Bay Leaves: Add a subtle bitterness that enhances the other flavors of the soup and makes it less heavy.
- Thyme: Adds an earthy and slightly minty flavor. You can use dried or fresh.
- Nutmeg: Adds a sweet, nutty, warming flavor to this soup. You can leave it out if you’re not a fan, but I love it.
- Chicken Granules: A type of bouillon that adds great depth of flavor and richness to the soup. If you use salted chicken broth, reduce the amount of granules you add.
- Chicken: I like diced cooked chicken, like rotisserie chicken. You can also use diced cooked chicken breasts.
- Egg Noodles: I love egg noodles for their richness. They really stand up well to this soup. I use Neva’s Old Fashion Homemade Egg Noodles, but Reames Egg Noodles (frozen) are also excellent.
Pro Tip: If freezing the soup, make the soup up to the point of adding the noodles. Freeze the soup without noodles added, then when ready to serve, add the noodles and simmer until noodles are cooked. This keeps the noodles from turning mushy.
Variations on Chicken Noodle Soup
There are quite a few ways to modify this recipe to make it more to your tastes. To make it vegetarian , simply omit the chicken and swap the chicken broth and granules for vegetable broth and granules.
You could add a can or two of chickpeas if you like for the protein. To make it gluten-free , swap the egg noodles for your favorite gluten-free noodles. For a spicier soup, add some crushed red pepper flakes. And for a creamier soup, stir in some heavy cream at the end of cooking.
Yes! Chicken noodle soup provides hydration and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Chicken is a great source of protein, and the veggies are full of vitamins and minerals.
I like egg noodles because they hold up well in the soup and soak up a lot of flavor. You could also use ditalini, orzo, or bowties.
Absolutely! While chicken noodle soup is certainly not a cure for a cold, it can help you feel better by keeping you hydrated and sated and providing vitamins, minerals, and protein to help you recover.
Dogs can only eat chicken noodle soup that is homemade, prepared with low-sodium broth, and free of harmful seasonings. Dogs cannot have onions, high-sodium foods, and many herbs and seasonings, including nutmeg. Therefore, this particular soup recipe is not safe for dogs.
Yes; however, I recommend making the soup without the noodles and then cooking and adding the noodles when you’re ready to eat the soup. Follow the directions for cooking the noodles al dente, then stir them into the reheated soup and serve immediately.
How to Store and Reheat Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Store leftover homemade chicken noodle soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through or on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.
How to Freeze Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Egg Noodles
To freeze homemade chicken noodle soup, make the soup up until the point where you would add the noodles (step 7). Do not add the noodles. Let the soup cool to room temperature, then freeze whole or in individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding the noodles to the soup just before simmering.
What to Serve with Chicken Egg Noodle Soup
Hot, fresh chicken noodle soup is ready to serve! It tastes so good with some crusty bread , crumbled crackers, or cheddar bay biscuits . Serve smaller bowls of soup with a grilled cheese sandwich or BLT . It’s also great with a healthy side salad !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- ▢ 3 carrots peeled and sliced (about 2 cups)
- ▢ 2 ribs celery sliced (about 1 cup)
- ▢ 1 sweet yellow onion diced
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock (Swanson Unsalted recommended)
- ▢ ½ cup dry sherry
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- ▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Parisien Bonnes Herbs (a combo of chives, dill, basil, French tarragon, chervil, & white pepper)
- ▢ 3 bay leaves
- ▢ ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ▢ 3-4 teaspoons chicken granules (see note)
- ▢ 4 cups diced cooked chicken cut into bite-size pieces (I used rotisserie chicken)
- ▢ 8 ounces dry egg noodles (⅔ package) — I use Neva’s Old Fashion Homemade Egg Noodles, but Reames Egg Noodles (frozen) are also excellent.
Video
Instructions
- Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven set over medium-low heat. 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Once the oil/butter is hot, place the carrots and celery in the pot and sauté for 3 minutes. 3 carrots, 2 ribs celery
- Add the onion and sauté until translucent. 1 sweet yellow onion
- Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. 2 cloves garlic
- Add all other ingredients except the noodles. 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth, ½ cup dry sherry, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon Parisien Bonnes Herbs, 3 bay leaves, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 3-4 teaspoons chicken granules, 4 cups diced cooked chicken
- Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes (see notes if planning to freeze the soup).
- Add the noodles and bring to a boil. 8 ounces dry egg noodles
- Turn down the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Becky’s Tips
- Chicken Granules: I f using salted broth, reduce the amount of chicken granules used.
- Freezing: If freezing the soup, make the soup up to the point of adding the noodles. Freeze the soup without noodles added, then when ready to serve, add the noodles and simmer until noodles are cooked. This keeps the noodles from turning mushy.
- If using rotisserie chicken or salted chicken stock, do not salt until after the soup cooks for 15 minutes. Taste first – then add salt only if needed.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Chicken Noodle Soup Recipes We Love
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 3 carrots peeled and sliced (about 2 cups)
- 2 ribs celery sliced (about 1 cup)
- 1 sweet yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock (Swanson Unsalted recommended)
- ½ cup dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh
- 1 teaspoon Parisien Bonnes Herbs (a combo of chives, dill, basil, French tarragon, chervil, & white pepper)
- 3 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3-4 teaspoons chicken granules (see note)
- 4 cups diced cooked chicken cut into bite-size pieces (I used rotisserie chicken)
- 8 ounces dry egg noodles (⅔ package) – I use Neva’s Old Fashion Homemade Egg Noodles, but Reames Egg Noodles (frozen) are also excellent.
Instructions
- Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven set over medium-low heat. 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Once the oil/butter is hot, place the carrots and celery in the pot and sauté for 3 minutes. 3 carrots, 2 ribs celery
- Add the onion and sauté until translucent. 1 sweet yellow onion
- Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. 2 cloves garlic
- Add all other ingredients except the noodles. 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth, ½ cup dry sherry, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon Parisien Bonnes Herbs, 3 bay leaves, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 3-4 teaspoons chicken granules, 4 cups diced cooked chicken
- Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes (see notes if planning to freeze the soup).
- Add the noodles and bring to a boil. 8 ounces dry egg noodles
- Turn down the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Video
Notes
- Chicken Granules: I f using salted broth, reduce the amount of chicken granules used.
- Freezing: If freezing the soup, make the soup up to the point of adding the noodles. Freeze the soup without noodles added, then when ready to serve, add the noodles and simmer until noodles are cooked. This keeps the noodles from turning mushy.
- If using rotisserie chicken or salted chicken stock, do not salt until after the soup cooks for 15 minutes. Taste first - then add salt only if needed.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
