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Classic comfort in a bowl: this homemade chicken noodle soup recipe is easy, flavorful, and tastes like a warm hug.
The Soup for Sick Season
When it’s cold, and we are wrapped in hoodies, sweatpants, and slippers – you know it’s soup season – and we love it!
Having said that, we do not love when it’s cold and we are not feeling great, but there’s one recipe we always make when we are sick – chicken noodle soup!
With just 8 ingredients and ready in about an hour, this classic cure-all soothes the soul like a warm hug in a bowl. Plus, the delicious flavors are so versatile – this homemade chicken noodle soup recipe even inspired our Chicken Noodle Casserole!
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Comforting and nourishing. Homemade chicken noodle soup is a well-known comfort food packed with nutrients from chicken (protein), vegetables (vitamins and minerals), and broth (electrolytes).
- Easy. With 3 simple steps, this soup comes together quickly and easily.
- Pantry staple powerhouse. Most ingredients are pantry staples you likely already have on hand. This makes it a budget-friendly and convenient meal option.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 30 minutes
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter – or olive oil
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 (14.5-ounce) cans full-sodium chicken broth – or chicken stock
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can vegetable broth
- 2 chicken breasts seasoned to taste, cooked and chopped – Use this Oven Baked Chicken recipe, I usually use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs also work. You can also buy a package of cooked and cubed chicken or use a rotisserie chicken.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil – or 3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano – or 1-1½ teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1½ cups medium egg noodles – Egg noodles are my favorite to use in chicken noodle soup, but you can also use an equal amount of linguine, fettuccine, tagliatelle, or rice noodles for a gluten-free choice.
Add Fresh Herbs
You will need about 3 times more fresh herbs than dried ones. Add them around 10-15 minutes before serving. Allow them to simmer for a few minutes to release their flavor, but not for too long to prevent them from becoming bitter.
If cooking in a crockpot, do not stir the fresh herbs until the last 30-60 minutes.
How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup
- VEGGIES. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup sliced carrots and ½ cup chopped celery and cook, stirring, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- BROTH. Add 4 cans chicken broth and 1 can vegetable broth, 2 cooked and chopped chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon basil, ½ teaspoon oregano, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
- PASTA. Reduce heat to a simmer, add 1½ cups egg noodles, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve warm.
Crockpot Directions
- Add all the ingredients into the crock pot, except the noodles. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Take the chicken out and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the chicken back in and the noodles. Cook an additional 30-40 minutes on low or 20 minutes on high or until the noodles are tender.
Complete the Meal
- Sides: Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Crescent Rolls, Arugula Salad, Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Desserts: Apple Crisp, Homemade Brownies, Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Easy Peach Cobbler
- More chicken soup: Chicken Pot Pie Soup, Italian Chicken Vegetable Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chicken and Rice Soup
More collections: Healthy Soup Recipes, Easy Soup Recipes, Best Chicken Soups, Crockpot Soup Recipes
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 (14.5-ounce) cans full-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can vegetable broth
- 2 chicken breasts, seasoned to taste, cooked and chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups medium egg noodles
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots and celery and cook, stirring, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add broths, chopped chicken, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, add egg noodles, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Does Chicken Noodle Soup Help When You Are Sick?
- It does! The ingredients provide electrolytes, protein, and carbohydrates that your body needs, the warmth can help clear nasal congestion, it is easy on the digestive symptoms, and for many people, it brings a comforting feeling.
Add Extra Flavor?
- Extra herbs. thyme, basil, peppercorns, bay leaves, and parsley.
- Mild. black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
- Add spice. red pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
- Smoky. chipotle powder, smoked paprika, or smoked salt.
What Extra Veggies Can I Add?
- Veggies add more flavor and color to the soup: diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet peas or diced green beans for sweetness, red or yellow onion to add a sharp taste, and potatoes or kidney beans for a starchy flavor.
Make Ahead of Time?
- Whether you wish to make the soup ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, or freeze it, hold off on cooking and adding the noodles until you’re ready to serve. Cooked noodles tend to absorb a lot of liquid and become mushy when reheated in soup.
How To Store Leftover Chicken Noodle Soup?
- Store the cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or the freezer for 2-3 months. Just note the noodles will be softer.
My family loves homemade chicken noodle soup and this recipe is perfect!
There is nothing better than homemade chicken noodle soup. This recipe is our go-to!
I noticed the last few recipes I’ve made had FAQ boxes and I love the addition- specifically the fresh herb info that applied to this soup recipe. Thanks!
You can not go wrong with this delicious hearty soup!!
We made this last week & we loved it!! It’s tasty, not hard to make, & everyone ate it! It was a win at our house!!
This chicken noodle soup is my go-to all throughout the year. My kids love it and I LOVE that it is so easy to make!
My husband and I really enjoyed this soup, definitely make sure your veggies are tender. Good recipe!
Of all the soup recipes I have gotten from Lil Luna, this is by far my favorite.
No onion?
Your recipes are great.
Making chicken noodle now.
No onion. But if you love onion, you can certainly add some!
Hi! What is the 1/2 cup of water for in this recipe?
If you need any more liquid (if the noodles soak up too much of it), you can add up to 1/2 cup more water.