Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published October 2, 2019. Updated October 9, 2019

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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is one of those comforting must have recipes. This version is super easy to make, it has such a delicious satisfying flavor, and it’s just what you need on a chilly day or sick day!

It’s a soup you’ll want to make again and again!

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

This soup is one of my staple dinner recipes! It’s something everyone can agree on and it’s always a highlight of a long day. It’s just hard to beat a bowl of homestyle chicken noodle soup!

I don’t know if there’s a more comforting food in the world than a warm bowl of this simple soup. Good for the soul, right?

Sure we all love the whole chicken, totally from scratch version (with homemade noodles even) which simmers and simmers, but it takes so much longer. You’ll love that this recipe is quick and easy to make, thanks to the shortcut of using a rotisserie chicken.

It makes the perfect weeknight dinner because you can have it ready in about 30 minutes and it’s filled with healthy, hearty ingredients.

The other great thing about this recipe is that it’s always a good thing to serve to guests because I can’t think of many people who don’t like it. Chicken noodle soup is always a win!

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Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup:

  • Carrots, celery, onion and garlic – these fresh veggies build up the background flavor of the soup.
  • Low sodium-chicken broth– if you have homemade chicken broth it will make the soup even better. I like to keep a couple bottles stocked in the freezer. Store bought does work great too though.
  • Fresh herbs – thyme, rosemary, sage and parsley
  • Egg noodles – this is the quick cooking kind used here not the old fashioned. You can however use old fashioned but you’ll need to increase the cook time (generally they take about 20 – 25 minutes).
  • Cooked rotisserie chicken – you can buy this a day or two ahead and just store in the refrigerator.
  • Olive oil – you’ll only need a little for sautéing. I don’t recommend a different type of oil the flavor of olive oil is perfect in this soup.
  • Salt and pepper – as always add to taste. Remember you can always add more salt later but you can’t take it out once added so I like to start light.
  • Lemon (optional) – this just brightens up the soup and it pairs amazingly well with chicken but if you don’t prefer to have the the very light tang you can omit it.

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How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup:

  • Saute aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onions and celery and 4 minutes, then add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.

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  • Add broth and herbs: Stir in chicken broth, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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  • Add bones to cheesecloth to simmer with soup for added flavor: (Optional highly recommend step) place larger bones of rotisserie chicken (legs, wings etc) on a few layers of cheesecloth, wrap up and tie with butchers twine. Add sachet to pot submerging in broth.

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  • Boil then simmer soup: Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot and simmer 10 minutes.

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  • Cook egg noodles in soup: Stir in noodles, cover and boil over medium heat until noodles are cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes (or as directed on package).
  • Add cooked chicken, fresh parsley and lemon: Remove chicken bones if used, stir in chicken, parsley and lemon and serve warm.

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Can I Use Dried Herbs in Place of Fresh?

If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand dried herbs will work great too. The general rule is to use 1/3 the amount listed of dry herbs in place of fresh.

You can also swap out the herbs I use here for some you may like better (I like this blend because it’s a poultry style seasoning). Other good options would be basil, oregano, marjoram, an Italian seasoning blend, or even fresh dill.

Can I Use Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs?

Yes, this recipe will also work great with cooked chicken breasts or chicken thighs, but for best flavor use meat from bone-in cooked chicken.

Can I Use Another Type of Noodle?

Another good substitute is rotini pasta. If using add a few additional minutes for cooking. As mentioned before old fashioned egg noodles will work too you’ll just need to cook about 3 times as long as time listed.

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Tips for the Best Easy Chicken Noodle Soup:

  • Don’t skip ingredients(other than optional lemon that is). Together they all build the best tasting soup.
  • Be sure to simmer veggies long enough that they become tender. I like to test a few. No one wants a chicken soup with crunchy carrots.
  • Cook noodles until just tender. The broth mixture will be hot and it will continue to cook the noodles off heat.
  • Simmer the soup with some of the leftover rotisserie bones. If you aren’t used to cooking with bones it may seem strange but they actually add so much flavor. I like to add some to a cheesecloth and tie closed with kitchen twine then remove once finished cooking.
  • I know the soup doesn’t simmer long but you still get a lot of flavor from the bones just in that short period of time especially if there’s some browned skin on the chicken (I’ve done a side by side taste test with and without, with wins easily).

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Looking for a Crockpot Version?

  • Here’s my go to Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

What About an Instant Pot Recipe?

  • Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Want to Make It Richer?

  • Try my Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

More Tasty Takes on Chicken Noodle Soup:

  • Tortellini Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Asian Chicken Noodle Soup

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Cooking Classy (11)

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Chicken Noodle Soup

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A simple yet perfectly delicious chicken noodle soup! Filled with lots of noodles, veggies and tender chicken. It has lots of flavor, and it's just what you need on a chilly day or sick day! A recipe you'll want on repeat. Makes about 12 cups.

Servings: 6

Prep15 minutes minutes

Cook25 minutes minutes

Ready in: 35 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

  • Add carrots, onions and celery and 4 minutes, then add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.

  • Stir in chicken broth, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Optional highly recommend step: place larger bones of rotisserie chicken (legs, wings etc) and some of the browned skin on a few layers of cheesecloth, wrap up and tie with butchers twine. Add sachet to pot submerging in broth. This really does add a lot of flavor even though it doesn't simmer for hours.

  • Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot and simmer until veggies are almost tender, about 10 - 15 minutes.

  • Stir in noodles, cover and boil over medium heat until noodles are cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes (or as directed on package).

  • Remove chicken bones if used, stir in chicken, parsley and lemon and serve warm.

Notes

  • Look for the poultry herb pkg. so you don't have to purchase all 3 separately, or use 1/2 tsp of each dried.
  • To make this in about 30 minutes - prep some of the ingredients while sauteing and simmering vegetables, such as shredding chicken and chopping herbs.
  • Recipe inspired by my Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Noodle Soup

Amount Per Serving

Calories 367Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 119mg40%

Sodium 540mg23%

Potassium 891mg25%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 36g72%

Vitamin A 5632IU113%

Vitamin C 9mg11%

Calcium 81mg8%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken noodle soup

Author: Jaclyn

Recipe originally shared January 2016, photos have been updated.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What to add to can chicken noodle soup to make it better? ›

Add some acid

Canned soup-ers can follow suit: After sautéing your aromatics, deglaze the pan with a glug of the Good Juice. You can also stir a splash of acid—like lemon juice, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar—to brighten things up.

How do you make soup taste rich? ›

Add acidic ingredients.

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

How do you dress up chicken noodle soup from a can? ›

Try adding coconut milk, lime juice, or even curry to your canned soup to elevate the flavors and creates a different taste. This is the perfect remedy when you are simply tired of your old favorite.

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.

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

How to get more flavor in chicken soup? ›

Add peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, poultry seasoning, basil, and parsley.

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

How do you add depth to chicken soup? ›

A splash of vinegar or wine can add depth and complexity to the flavors of your chicken noodle soup. Try adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar or a dry white wine for a delightful tangy note. Just remember to add it gradually, tasting as you go, to avoid overpowering the soup.

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.

How do you fix bland chicken soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

Should I rinse noodles for chicken noodle soup? ›

Rinse the Noodles: Once the noodles are cooked to al dente, drain them and rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking process and washes off excess starch, preventing them from absorbing more liquid and becoming mushy.

Do you simmer chicken noodle soup covered or uncovered? ›

Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce to a bare simmer and skim foam as it rises to the surface. When foam subsides, add remaining ingredients, using only 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook chicken, turning 2 or 3 times, until meat loosens from bone, about 2½ hours.

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.

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.

What is the liquid in chicken soup called? ›

Chicken broth is the liquid part of chicken soup. Broth can be served as is, or used as stock, or served as soup with noodles. Broth can be milder than stock, does not need to be boiled as long, and can be made with meatier chicken parts. Chicken bouillon or bouillon de poulet is the French term for chicken broth.

How do you level up canned chicken soup? ›

Besides adding vegetables to your soup, another option is to play around with stirring in herbs and spices. If you love food with some zing to it, drizzling in some hot sauce can be a great way to bring on the heat and give your soup an extra edge.

How can I make canned chicken taste better? ›

15 Ways To Elevate Canned Chicken
  1. Pair it with textured ingredients in chicken salad. ...
  2. Smother it with cheese and seasonings for a perfect dip. ...
  3. Fry it to give it extra texture. ...
  4. Mix it with other fillings for a flavorful chicken pot pie. ...
  5. Pair it with fresh herbs. ...
  6. Make a high-protein pizza crust.
Jan 9, 2024

What can I add to my soup to make it more flavorful? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

How do you enhance boxed soup? ›

9 Delicious Ways to Enhance Boxed Soup
  1. A Dash of Dairy. Creamed soups such as tomato, squash or red pepper really benefit from a swirl of dairy. ...
  2. Fresh herbs. ...
  3. Lemon or Vinegar. ...
  4. A Touch of Nut or Truffle Oil. ...
  5. A Fresh Garnish. ...
  6. Freshly Grated Parmesan. ...
  7. Sausage. ...
  8. Delicious Accompaniments.
Oct 19, 2012

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