This easy homemade chicken noodle soup recipe is cozy, satisfying, and made from scratch with simple everyday ingredients. It has just 10 minutes of prep and will get you through those chilly days!
Don't want to make this on the stove? I've got you covered. Try my Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup or my Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup.
Why you'll crave it
I think we can all agree that there's nothing better than a piping hot bowl of classic chicken noodle soup to bring to a friend when they're under the weather or to make for yourself when you're feeling blue. Ok, maybe hot and sour soup is a close second, but this comforting, simple to make soup is number one in my heart always.
While my Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is a reader favorite, this is perhaps the quintessential chicken soup recipe. It's basic in the most positive way possible, meaning you're going to make an exceptionally tasty homestyle soup with just a few inexpensive pantry ingredients. There's nothing fancy, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Probably everyone says this, but my version is the best chicken noodle soup, and I hope that you will agree!
What you'll need
- Olive oil and butter - for sautéing
- Onion, carrots, celery - also known as a mirepoix in French cooking, this is a rich and super tasty base to many soups and sauces. I don't know who discovered that this trio makes magic together, but I'm glad they did. I prefer sweet (Vidalia) onions, but yellow or white is fine.
- Garlic - I can't resist adding a little for more savory depth. It's simple to mince with my trusty garlic press where you don't even need to peel the cloves.
- Chicken broth - we're using it in addition to water to make the soup broth. It just adds way more flavor than water alone would.
- Chicken breasts - boneless, skinless is what I picked. They cook right in the soup.
- Italian seasoning - if you're a regular reader, you know that this fragrant herb blend is a staple in my kitchen since it's very tasty and comes all in a single, convenient jar
- Noodles - I just love egg noodles in this soup since they're so hearty and thick. This is no wimpy soup.
- Parsley - chopped fresh parsley tops it all off
Can I use chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken?
- Sure! I used chicken breasts, but feel free to swap them for thighs. They're very flavorful and are less likely to dry out if you cook them for a bit too long. I like the chicken breasts for ease since they're effortless to shred, though.
- If you want to use leftover Roast Chicken or rotisserie chicken, simply add it in towards the end of the cooking time so it doesn't get dry or overcooked. You're just aiming to warm it through.
How to make chicken noodle soup
This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Melt the butter and oil in a soup pot and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery for 5-7 minutes or a touch longer. A little light browning adds more flavor.
- Stir in the garlic, then add in the chicken broth, water, chicken breasts, and Italian seasoning. Bring the soup to a boil, then cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Uncover the pot, add in the egg noodles, and simmer until the chicken is cooked and noodles are al dente. Take the chicken out of the pot, cut it up or shred it, then add it back in. Season the soup with salt & pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Pro tip
- Unless you're using oversized chicken breasts, they should be cooked if you follow the recipe instructions. With that said, the best way to tell when chicken is cooked is to use an instant read meat thermometer. Chicken is safe at 165F. It can go from perfectly cooked to overcooked and dry in a hurry, so it's one of my favorite kitchen tools to keep around to prevent that.
Substitutions and variations
- You can swap the egg noodles for a different kind of pasta if you wish.
- Sub the dried Italian seasoning for 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme if that's all you've got on hand or don't care for a particular herb in the Italian blend.
- You can use all chicken broth instead of the chicken broth and water combo I use. I like it so that you only have to open one 32 ounce/4 cup carton of broth.
- Add in a couple tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten up the flavor if that's your thing! I often do.
What to serve with it
- All you really need is a bowl and a spoon, but I am definitely a fan of eating chicken noodle soup with a big, hearty slice of fresh bread, especially sourdough. It's extra comforting that way.
- If you're craving a soup and salad combo, why not try my popular 10 Minute Homemade Caesar Dressing with romaine lettuce, parm, and croutons along with it.
Leftovers and storage
- Chicken noodle soup will last 3-5 days in the fridge, but note that the noodles will soak up some of the broth, so you may need to add more chicken broth when you're reheating to compensate.
- It's best to warm up this soup over a low heat in a small saucepan, giving it the occasional stir.
- The noodles will go a bit soggy if you freeze this soup, so I recommend making the soup without noodles if you're planning on freezing the bulk of this soup. Simply add cooked noodles to individual portions of the thawed soup when you're warming it up!
Hope you enjoy this chicken noodle soup from scratch! Questions? Made this recipe? Leave me a comment/review below. As always, tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram if you made this or any other recipe.
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
This easy homemade chicken noodle soup recipe is cozy, satisfying, and made from scratch with simple everyday ingredients. It has just 10 minutes of prep and will get you through those chilly days!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 medium carrots peeled & sliced
- 2 sticks celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts boneless skinless
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups uncooked egg noodles
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Add the oil, butter, onion, carrots, and celery to a soup pot. Sauté over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds or so.
- Add in the chicken broth, water, chicken breasts, and Italian seasoning.
- Turn the heat up to high and bring the soup to a boil, and once it's boiling, reduce the heat, cover the pot (with the lid slightly ajar), and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the noodles and cook for another 8 minutes, with the lid off, stirring occasionally so the noodles don't stick to the bottom of the pot. You may need to turn the heat up a bit again so it's boiling gently.
- Take the chicken out of the pot and cut it up/shred it, then add it back in. It should be cooked through, but you can always give it a few more minutes if it's not (chicken is safe to eat at 165F).
- Season the soup with salt & pepper as needed (I am generous with both) and add in the fresh parsley.
Notes
- Serves 4-6 depending on how much people eat.
- Feel free to swap the chicken breasts for thighs. If you want to use already cooked/rotisserie chicken, add it in towards the end so it doesn't overcook.
- Anything from 1-1.5 pounds of chicken will work (this is about 2 medium-to-large chicken breasts).
- Chicken can go from undercooked to overcooked quickly, so I recommend using an instant read meat thermometer whenever cooking chicken so you're not guessing.
- The noodles will soak up the broth the longer they sit, so you may need to add more chicken broth to leftovers.
- Try the Crockpot version or the Instant Pot version.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Nutrition
Calories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 27gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 754mgPotassium: 713mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3620IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg
Sharon says
I have made your soup recipe 6x now on rainy drizzly fall days as well as cold wintery days …..it is a hit with my whole family and all my visiting friends! Served up with a loaf of fresh crusty bread and butter …..
….sooo goood 😋
Natasha says
I'm thrilled to hear it, Sharon!! 😀 Thanks so much for your glowing review - I appreciate it!
Diana Haight says
Love this recipe! It tasted so delicious!
Natasha says
Thank you, Diana!!
Rachel says
Hit at dinner. Very flavorful and easy to make
Natasha says
Fantastic!! 🙂
Katelyn says
Amazing ! So tasty and easy! I used a rotisserie chicken for the convince. The only thing I would change is instead of 4 cups of broth, I’d make it 6. My new favourite soup recipe !
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
Thrilled you found a new favorite, Katelyn! Thanks so much for your review.
Heather Wilson says
I cook the noodles separately, and add them later. Just so they do not soak up the liquid and if I want to freeze leftovers I can.
Lauren says
Needed an easy chicken soup recipe to make while sick and this was IT! So cozy and yummy.
Natasha says
That's great to hear, Lauren! Hope you're feeling better! 🙂
Monica says
Another family fave!
Great winter warmer.
Thanks so much for another easy and great recipe!
Natasha says
You're very welcome, Monica! 😀
Barbara says
Yum this is good. Used half a Costco rotisserie chicken (can’t beat the price). The seasoning’s are great. Have made this three times so far this winter❤️
Natasha says
Fantastic!! I'm so glad you like it, Barbara! 🙂
Kiley says
I love this recipe! My husband has asked me to make it for him several times. It is simple and delicious. 😉
Natasha says
Fantastic!! 😀 Thanks for your 5-star review, Kiley!
Kaylyn says
What is the serving size for the nutrition info? (I totally understand it’s an estimate)
Natasha says
It's 1/6 of the recipe. That's all I know as I am not a trained nutritionist (the recipe card pulls from a database and does automatic calculations).
Christina says
Made this recipe for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. My hubby and I cannot get enough. Super simple with amazing flavor. So happy I found this recipe.
Natasha says
Woo hoo!! Glad to hear it! Thanks for your review! 🙂
Juanita C. says
Follow-up comment… the soup was delicious and really hit the spot with everyone in my home who’s fighting a bad cough and cold. I did add some additional spices that I like…poultry seasoning and chicken bouillon. Thank you for a great and simple recipe.
Natasha says
That's great!! 🙂 So happy to hear it!
Juanita Cabrera says
I’m about to make this recipe. My resident daughter, who is not feeling well and has a 2 year old & 1 year old with RSV, picked your recipe because it was easy and simple. Also, it was not soup out of a can; but, in my opinion, is homemade soup! One question, if I’m using some frozen vegetables, should I just add them towards the end? We can’t wait to try it!
Natasha says
Yes - that is exactly what I would do, Juanita! Hope everyone feels better soon. 🙂
Megan says
Delicious. Easy. Flavorful. Need I say more?
Natasha says
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Elaine says
I made this just this morning and it came out great my only question is how do I Make it a little thinner?
Natasha says
Hi! Glad you liked it! You could add in some more chicken broth.
Alison says
So delicious!! So tasty, quick & easy to prepare. Looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow
Natasha says
So glad you enjoyed it, Alison!! Thanks for your 5-star review!
Sarah says
Hi! Can I use frozen chicken breasts instead? How would that work if so!?
Thank you!
Natasha says
Hi! I have never made soup with frozen chicken breasts. I would thaw them first - sorry!
Cynthia Cannon says
Great recipe especially when looking for something to feed a sick neighbor. I go overboard on garlic and herbs and add a few salt-free seasonings ... but it was perfect otherwise!!!! And adding juice from half a lemon is a perfect touch!
Natasha says
I'm so glad it worked out! 🙂
Hickey says
I found the homemade recipe to be fabulous!! Fixed for my fa,ily today and they all loved it. I am 37 with a successful career and family and DO NOT have time to make from scratch so THANK YOU for a quick and easy recipe 😊
Natasha says
I'm so happy to hear that!! 🙂 Thanks for coming back and writing me a review!
Amy goldberg says
Hi
Try a couple dashes of yellow curry powder. It enhances the flavor. Does not takes like curry. I make my soup like this. And add matzo balls to it. Yummy!!!
Natasha says
That's a great idea, Amy!
Angelina says
This sounds like an easy & quick recipe, but it's not actually what an experienced cook would call 'homemade' chicken soup, where you cook all the parts of a whole chicken (w/the bones & skin) to make the delicious broth. You don't cook only the breasts, & then add broth from a carton. Also, a (real) homemade chicken soup is cooked for much longer than 15 minutes, in order to extract all the flavor from the bones, 'cause you don't add broth from a carton, EVER! It seems as though the definition of 'homemade' has changed over the years. BTW, I'm 34 yrs. old, have 4 kids, a husband, & a career, but I always cook from scratch, b/c it's important to me that my family eats as healthy as possible.
Natasha says
What exactly is the point of your comment other than to criticize my recipe? Yes, there's many ways to make chicken noodle soup. This is a quick and easy way, which many people appreciate. I'm so glad you have the time to make chicken soup your way AND educate someone who runs a successful recipe website. Maybe it's time to start your own blog and teach people your ways?
CH says
Wow. God forbid someone needs an easier alternative to making a tasty meal that doesn't involve making every single ingredient from scratch. Would you speak this way to a mom who is undergoing chemotherapy and barely has enough energy to care for her kids, let alone make every meal from scratch? You wouldn't? Then I suggest letting go of your judgmental nature. It will serve you well and help you feel better on the inside. You can't assume everyone's circumstances, and even if you could, putting others down does make you mightier nor better than anyone. In fact, it does the opposite. Peace!
NCA says
My goodness Angelina! I guess you needed some kind of pat on the back for making yourself seem like some super woman. That’s just mean. Hope your arm is long enough to reach your back!
Elizabeth says
Wow, Angelina! Good for you! Seems like you aren't getting enough praise for what you do from the people in your life so you have the need to make yourself look better than others to people on the internet. Good for you!
Miranda says
So Angelina lemme get this straight..you got 4 hungry kids and a hangry yea HANGRY husband after both yall work an 8 hour shift your gonna come home and pluck a chicken and process it then make your own chicken broth? You too good for a carton of broth? Girl you aint much older than me. Mamas just wanna feed their babies and this is a perfectly fine recipe. Be thankful there's people out there that put these meals together and test em and put em on the web. God rest your soul what ever ails you.
Natasha says
🙂
Kiley says
Wow! Just Wow!! Angelina I am guessing no one ever taught you that if you don’t have something nice to say then don’t say anything at all.
I love how you told your age cause you definitely have a lot of growing up to do.
Katie says
Ew. Please go find somewhere else to brag about how much you do. Because all I see when I read your comment is how much you don’t like your life and your looking for someone to take it out on. Let me know one of your “homemade” recipes and we can all give it a try. I like easy but good recipes like this one so I can spend time with my family. You should try it.