Easy Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Name: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 sticks celery (chopped finely); 2 medium carrots (peeled & chopped finely); 1/2 medium onion (chopped); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 cup flour; 4 cups chicken broth; 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts; 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 cup heavy/whipping cream; 2 generous cups uncooked egg noodles; Salt & pepper (to taste); 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Published: Apr 5, 2023 / Updated: Apr 7, 2023 / 94 Comments

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This wholesome creamy chicken noodle soup is simple, warming comfort food! It has egg noodles, tender chicken, and an irresistible broth made with real cream.

I think that you'll also enjoy my Easy Chicken Stew or Chicken Pot Pie Soup for more family favorites.

a bowl of creamy chicken noodle soup with a spoon

Why you'll love it

True to S&L form, we're using easy to find ingredients for this low-effort soup. There are few things more comforting than homemade chicken soup to chase away the chill, and it's even better when it's this simple to make. One lovely reader said "It's the best chicken noodle soup I've ever tasted." There ya go!

Everyone enjoys a piping hot bowl of classic Chicken Noodle Soup on a drizzly or chilly day. While it's hard to improve upon, this creamy chicken noodle soup has done it. Cream is the velvety finishing touch for a special and more flavorful twist on the original, and it doesn't feel like a heavy soup.

What you'll need

Celery, carrots, and onion - the classic base for soups collectively known as mirepoix. I like sweet (Vidalia) onions.
Olive oil and butter - for sautéing
Garlic - our tasty aromatic
Flour - it's the key to thickening up the broth
Chicken broth - for savory depth of flavor
Chicken - we're using boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Italian seasoning - this all-around tasty blend of dried herbs gives a lovely quality to this soup, and it comes in a single jar for convenience
Heavy cream - it adds a silky richness
Pasta - we are using traditional egg noodles
Parsley - fresh chopped parsley provides that bright contrast to tie this soup together

ingredients for creamy chicken noodle soup in prep bowls

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha's favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

A sturdy Le Creuset cast iron Dutch oven is a great investment for soups and stews.
A pair of cooking tongs are really useful for handling the chicken.
Use an instant read meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through to 165F.
Pick up a reliable ladle for all your soup needs!

How to make creamy chicken noodle soup

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

sauteing mirepoix and adding flour and chicken broth for chicken noodle soup in a dutch oven

Sauté the carrots, celery, and onion in a soup pot until softened, then add in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add in the flour, cooking for a minute or so. Pour in the chicken broth, stirring until the flour has dissolved.

adding chicken and noodles to a dutch oven for soup

Add in the chicken along with the Italian seasoning and cream. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add in the noodles, and cook them al dente.

adding parsley to a soup pot with creamy chicken noodle soup

Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the pot and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Return to the soup, give it a taste and season with salt & pepper, and add the chopped fresh parsley.

Substitutions and variations

I don't recommend making substitutions for the cream unless you're confident that it'll work. This recipe has only been tested with cream. Something lower fat may curdle.
If you have fresh herbs on hand, feel free to throw them in! Thyme or rosemary or any fresh herb blend designed for poultry would work well.
You can use boneless/skinless chicken thighs if you like them better. They also are harder to overcook and stay more juicy. Rotisserie chicken is fine too, and you can add it in 5 minutes prior to the soup being done.
Feel free to sub the egg noodles with another pasta that cooks in a similar amount of time.

What to serve with chicken noodle soup

I like a slice of crusty bread for simple comfort, but I'll never say no to Cheesy Garlic Bread either.
You could also serve with crackers, or top with my Garlic Parmesan Croutons.
A salad would be a great way to complement the meal. Try my zesty Homemade Ranch Dressing.

Leftovers and storage

Store any leftover soup in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. If the soup at any point is too thick or not brothy enough for you, you can add more chicken broth or cream to it.
Warm up in a saucepan for best results over a low heat until hot.
I don't recommend freezing this soup. The noodles really soak up the broth, and cream doesn't freeze so well. It's one of those soups that's best eaten right away, in my opinion.

More chicken soup recipes

a ladle of creamy chicken noodle soup in a dutch oven

If you made this creamy chicken soup, leave a star rating and comment below! Ask any questions you might have as well. You can also find me on Instagram.

This recipe was originally published on March 10, 2020. It's been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!

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