Description

This comforting Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup features tender chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful low-sodium chicken broth with fresh vegetables, egg noodles, and herbs. Perfect for a cozy meal, it strikes a balance between hearty and healthy with wholesome ingredients and a classic preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Broth

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz) or 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Vegetables

2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Carbohydrates and Seasoning

5 oz egg noodles
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (1 tablespoon in soup plus additional for garnish)

Oils

1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften, releasing their natural sweetness.
Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Cook Chicken and Broth: Place raw chicken breasts in the pot and pour in chicken broth. Add dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the soup. If you are using pre-cooked chicken, add it at this point instead of cooking raw breasts.
Cook Noodles: Add the egg noodles to the simmering broth. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until the noodles are tender but not mushy.
Add Parsley and Adjust Seasoning: Stir in the chopped parsley and taste the soup. Adjust salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavors.
Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought.
To save time, use pre-cooked shredded chicken and add it when you add the noodles.
Feel free to add other herbs like rosemary or sage for flavor variations.
To make the soup gluten-free, substitute egg noodles with gluten-free noodles or rice noodles.
Do not overcook the noodles to keep a pleasant texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken noodle soup, homemade soup, comfort food, easy chicken soup, chicken broth soup