Homemade chicken noodle soup for the soul is super easy and flavorful. Make it from scratch, full of love and comfort, and loaded with chunks of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and perfectly al dente egg noodles. Hearty, healthy, and effortless!
This homemade chicken noodle soup is an excellent home remedy for a good reason. I had been under the weather for three days. But instead of resorting to over-the-counter medicines, I decided to go with natural remedies like a warm lemon and ginger tea (which I learned from my mom) and hearty bowls of soup.
When I made this chicken noodle soup, just the wonderful aromas filling my kitchen made me feel better. And because I know my son and I share everything, I made a double batch to nourish him, too.
The Versatility of Homemade Chicken Soup
What I love most about the majority of soup recipes is how versatile they are. If I see vegetables in the fridge getting ready to go south, I throw them in a big pot, add the broth, and choose my seasonings. Add your choice of protein, simmer, and enjoy. For this soup, I obviously used chicken and noodles.
How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup at Home
- Sauté the onion, garlic, celery, bay leaf, thyme, Italian seasoning, white pepper, and paprika for 2-3 minutes or until onions wilt. (Photo 1)
- Add the chicken and bouillon (if using) and cook for 1-2 minutes. Then, add the carrots and broth, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. (Photos 2-3)
- Transfer the chicken to a plate, let it cool enough to remove the meat from the bones, shred the meat, and save the bones to make stock later. Deglaze the pan with a cup of broth. (Photo 4)
- Add the noodles, shredded chicken, and water to cover (if needed). Simmer for 6-8 minutes or until the noodles are al dente. (Photos 5-7)
- Serve – Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy hot. (Photo 8)
Tips and Notes
- Dark meat with the bones provides a stronger flavor than white meat, like chicken breast. But it still makes good soup if that’s what you use.
- Save the bones for stock for more waste-free cooking.
- Feel free to add more herbs, like basil, rosemary, and oregano.
- Aside from celery and carrots, you can toss in broccoli florets, green beans, pumpkin, spinach, and even corn kernels.
- I prefer egg noodles for this soup, but angel hair, spaghetti, penne, or other pasta works fine.
- For a spicy kick, add ¼ teaspoon of crushed red chili pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Garlic bread and a refreshing salad are perfect pairings for any soup.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can make this soup ahead and freeze it in meal-sized packages. It lasts fine in the fridge for 4-5 days.
More Soul-Satisfying Soup Recipes
This blog post was originally published in December 2018 and has been updated with additional tips and delicious photos.
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