Hearty homemade chicken noodle soup with shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and loads of garlic. The perfect cozy soup for a cold day! 

When you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food on a cold day or when you’re feeling under the weather, Chicken Noodle Soup always hits the spot. There is even that whole series of books “Chicken Soup For the Soul” because Chicken Soup is the epitome of comfort. 

And guess what, it’s really easy to ditch the can and make your own from scratch. Today I’ll show you how! 

Let’s talk about what you need to make it.

Chicken Noodle Soup Ingredients:

  • CARROTS/CELERY/ONIONS: The classic combination of vegetables for chicken noodle soup. They are going to add flavor, texture and heartiness to the soup. I have also been known to add a small Yukon gold potato for a little more heartiness but it’s optional, especially with the noodles
  • BUTTER/OIL: To sauté the carrots, celery and onions.
  • CHICKEN BROTH: The best chicken noodle soup starts with a good broth. You can make your own like Instant Pot Chicken Stock or use your favorite store bought brand. I recommend using a low-sodium broth so that you can control the final salt content.
  • CHICKEN: This is a great time to use up that leftover rotisserie chicken! Or any other leftover chicken you might have on hand. If you’ve got leftover turkey from your holiday meal, you can use that too!
  • GARLIC: And lots of it! Garlic is a must when making chicken soup. Use fresh!
  • THYME: Thyme is one of my favorite herbs to use, especially with chicken. It adds a peppery flavor. Since fresh thyme holds up well to cooking, you can use fresh or dried in this recipe.
  • DRIED RED CHILIS: I like to add a couple of these to add some heat to the soup. They are optional!
  • BAY LEAVES: Despite some who say otherwise, I think bay leaves are a staple in the kitchen. They add depth of flavor and subtle aroma.
  • EGG NOODLES: It wouldn’t be chicken noodle soup without them!
  • SALT/PEPPER

Step By Step Photos and Instructions:

Making chicken noodle soup is really easy! Let me walk you through it with these step by step photos and instructions.

  • Melt butter and cook vegetables until slightly softened.
  • Add broth, bay leaves, thyme and chili peppers (if using)
  • Cook noodles according to package directions.
  • Ladle soup over the top of noodles.

STEP #1: Heat oil and butter in a large pot. Sauté carrots, celery, onions and garlic. Cook just until carrots and celery start to soften.

STEP #2: Add in chicken stock, thyme, chili peppers (if using)and bay leaves. Simmer for 30 – 45 minutes. Add in chicken and cook until chicken is warmed through. Remove bay leaves and chili peppers from soup.

STEP #3: While soup is simmering, cook noodles according to package directions and drain.

STEP #4: Place noodles in a bowl and ladle soup over the top. Serve immediately.

Storage and Leftovers:

I highly recommend storing the noodles and soup separately. When they are stored together, the noodles will absorb the broth leaving you with soggy noodles and no broth in your soup. You can reheat them together though since the cooking process is not as long.

Recipe FAQ:

What gives chicken noodle soup more flavor?

There are a couple of ways I like to add more flavor to my chicken noodle soup. One, herbs. The thyme and bay leaves in this recipe will add flavor. And two, sautéing the vegetables beforehand will also had a depth of flavor to the soup.

Should you cook noodles separately when making chicken noodle soup?

100% YES. It may dirty another pot to cook them separately but the overall texture of the soup will be much better if they are cooked (and stored!) separately.

My entire family loves this chicken noodle soup whether we’re not feeling our best or simply just want a bowl of comfort. One bite and I’m sure you will too! 

A spoonful of chicken noodle soup.

Looking for more soup recipes? Try these:

Curry Pumpkin Soup is a savory pumpkin soup that is velvety smooth and full of flavor!

Turn taco night into soup night with this easy Taco Soup!

Zuppa Toscana is an Olive Garden Copycat and a great way to warm up! 

Note: Originally published in 2009. Updated in 2023 with new photos, nutrition information, step by step photos and a slightly modified recipe.

Chicken Noodle Soup
15m
Prep
50m
Cook
1h 5m
Total

Servings

4

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 10 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 8 cups homemade or store bought chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves )
  • 2-3 dried red chili peppers (optional)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • fresh cracked black pepper and kosher salt to taste
  • 3 cups dried medium egg noodles

Instructions

  1. In a large soup pot cook olive oil and butter over medium heat until butter melts. Once butter has melted add carrots, celery, onion and garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until veggies are softened slightly.

  2. Pour chicken stock over the top. Add thyme, chili peppers and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 30-45 minutes. Stir in cooked shredded chicken. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Continue to simmer as you cook your noodles.

  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling season liberally with salt (about 1 tablespoon). Cook noodles until al-dente about 5-7 minutes. Strain in a colander.
  4. Remove bay leaves and chili peppers from soup.
  5. Scoop noodles into soup bowl. Ladle hot soup over the cooked noodles.
  6. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories
559
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 839mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 17%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 44g
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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Deseree

Whether it is cooking it, eating it, shopping for it or watching TV about it, food is one of my favorite things.

11 Reviews

  1. The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup May 30, 2015

    […] Chicken Noodle Soup, from Life’s Ambrosia […]

  2. Mizraim January 2, 2012

    I’ve got cough, and I’ve just prepared it, haven’t tried yet. I’ll tell you how did it go.

  3. the plague | puremodlife February 10, 2011

    […] just say I’ve washed everything but the coffee table?!  We are all doing better, I made chicken noodle soup with homemade stock, nothing kicks the nasty like it.  So I’ll post a few bits next week […]

  4. len December 7, 2009

    Thank you very much for this recipe, I’ve used it as an inspiration a few days ago as I experimented some noodles recipes and it was very tasty. I’ve also liked the photos on your blog :)

  5. Deseree November 12, 2009

    You’re welcome Meichihko. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope it made your family feel better! :)

  6. Meichihko November 11, 2009

    I found this recipe through Foodgawker. Everyone in the house is sick, so I made this soup for them and it is absolutely delicious! The garlic is perfect and adds a wonderful flavor. And it smells great as it cooks. Definitely one I will make again and again. Thanks for sharing it!

  7. Deseree November 9, 2009

    Thanks Michelle!
    Jessie- I hope you feel better! If I could I’d send some over to you :)
    I hope you enjoy it Danielle!
    Thank you Chaya! I agree, there is nothing more comforting than chicken soup.

  8. Chaya November 9, 2009

    The ultimate comfort food.

  9. Danielle November 5, 2009

    You read my mind. I was just thinking about chicken noodle soup this week and how I needed to add it to my menu soon. This looks perfect!

  10. Jessie November 4, 2009

    this is such a nourishing and hearty soup. I’m coming down with some kind of cold and the last few days I’ve been suffering with a sore throat and sniffles. I wish I can have a bowl of this soup to scare away whatever is making me sick

  11. Michelle November 4, 2009

    Soups are so hard to get good pictures of, but yours looks wonderful. Great job.

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