Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe (Homemade Comfort Food)

June 3, 2026

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe (Homemade Comfort Food)

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. This easy recipe is made with tender shredded chicken, hearty egg noodles, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and herbs simmered together in a flavorful chicken broth.

Whether you're looking for a cozy cold-weather dinner, a comforting soup for sick days, or an easy way to use leftover chicken, this classic chicken noodle soup comes together in one pot in under an hour.

Why You'll Love This Chicken Noodle Soup

Easy one-pot recipe

Ready in under an hour

Made with simple ingredients

Perfect for leftover or rotisserie chicken

Great for cold weather and sick days

Family-friendly comfort food

Easy to make ahead for meal prep

Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6–8

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

3 celery stalks, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups chicken broth

3 cups cooked shredded chicken

2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

12 ounces wide egg noodles

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Optional Additions

1 bay leaf

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

Fresh lemon juice

Fresh thyme

Cracked black pepper for serving

How to Make Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 2: Add the Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

Step 3: Add the Chicken and Broth

Pour in the chicken broth.

Add the shredded chicken, poultry seasoning, thyme, salt, and black pepper. If you're using a bay leaf, add it now.

Stir everything together and bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

This gives the vegetables time to become tender while allowing the chicken, herbs, and broth to develop more flavor.

Step 5: Add the Egg Noodles

Bring the soup back to a gentle boil and add the egg noodles.

Cook according to the package instructions, usually about 6–8 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.

Avoid overcooking them because the noodles will continue to soften in the hot broth.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove the bay leaf if you used one.

Stir in the fresh parsley and taste the broth.

Add additional salt and pepper as needed.

Serve the chicken noodle soup hot with warm bread, crackers, or your favorite sandwich.

What Kind of Chicken Is Best for Chicken Noodle Soup?

You have several options, which makes this an excellent recipe for using whatever chicken you already have.

Rotisserie chicken is the easiest option. Simply remove the skin and shred the meat before adding it to the soup.

You can also use leftover baked or roasted chicken.

If you're starting with raw chicken, cook approximately 1½ pounds of boneless chicken breasts or thighs directly in the broth. Once cooked through, remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.

Chicken thighs will generally give the soup a slightly richer flavor.

What Are the Best Noodles for Chicken Noodle Soup?

Wide egg noodles are ideal for classic homemade chicken noodle soup because they're tender, hearty, and soak up the flavorful broth.

You can also use:

Homestyle egg noodles

Rotini

Fusilli

Small shells

Ditalini

Orzo

Keep in mind that different pasta shapes have different cooking times.

How to Keep Egg Noodles From Getting Mushy

If you're planning to eat the soup immediately, cooking the noodles directly in the broth is perfectly fine.

However, if you're making the soup for meal prep or leftovers, cook the noodles separately.

Store the noodles and soup in separate airtight containers and combine them when reheating each serving.

This prevents the noodles from continuing to absorb the broth and becoming overly soft.

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup Taste Even Better

A few small changes can give simple chicken noodle soup a much richer homemade flavor.

Sauté the vegetables first. Cooking the onion, carrots, and celery in butter before adding the broth develops more flavor than simply boiling everything together.

Use good chicken broth. Since broth makes up most of the soup, its flavor matters.

Use both butter and olive oil. Butter adds richness while olive oil works well for sautéing the vegetables.

Don't skip the herbs. Poultry seasoning and thyme give the broth that familiar homemade chicken soup flavor.

Finish with fresh herbs. Fresh parsley brightens the finished soup.

You can also add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice immediately before serving. It shouldn't make the soup taste lemony—it simply brightens the broth.

Can You Make Chicken Noodle Soup With Rotisserie Chicken?

Yes. In fact, rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest ways to make quick homemade chicken noodle soup.

You'll need approximately 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken.

Because the chicken is already fully cooked, you only need to simmer it long enough to warm through and flavor the broth.

What to Serve With Chicken Noodle Soup

Turn your soup into a complete cold-weather meal by serving it with:

Classic dinner rolls

Southern cornbread

Garlic bread

Grilled cheese sandwiches

Buttermilk biscuits

Southern coleslaw

Crackers

Simple green salad

Warm dinner rolls or a grilled cheese sandwich are especially good for dipping into the chicken broth.

How to Store Chicken Noodle Soup

Allow leftover soup to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Remember that egg noodles continue absorbing liquid as they sit. You may need to add additional chicken broth when reheating.

For the best leftover texture, store the noodles separately from the soup.

Can You Freeze Chicken Noodle Soup?

Yes, but it's best to freeze chicken noodle soup without the noodles.

Cooked egg noodles can become overly soft after freezing and reheating.

Prepare the soup through the simmering stage, allow it to cool completely, and freeze the chicken, vegetables, and broth for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to eat it, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator, reheat it on the stovetop, and add freshly cooked egg noodles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken stock instead of chicken broth?

Yes. Chicken stock can make the soup taste even richer and can be substituted in equal amounts.

Can I make chicken noodle soup ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the chicken and broth portion ahead of time and refrigerate it. For the best results, cook and add the egg noodles shortly before serving.

How do you thicken chicken noodle soup?

Traditional chicken noodle soup has a broth-based consistency and doesn't need to be thickened. If you prefer a slightly thicker broth, you can add a small cornstarch slurry.

Why did my noodles soak up all the broth?

Pasta continues absorbing liquid after cooking. This is especially noticeable when chicken noodle soup is refrigerated overnight. Store the noodles separately if you anticipate having leftovers.