Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: Rustic Comfort (Print Version)

Warm up with this rustic Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup recipe. Tender chicken, soft noodles, and a savory broth. Pure comfort, just like grandma made!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Dairy-Free (check broth label)

# Ingredients:

→ Soup Base Essentials

01 - 2 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
04 - 2 stalks celery, chopped
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 8 cups (2 liters) low-sodium chicken broth

→ The Noodle & Protein Stars

07 - 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
08 - 6 oz (170g) wide egg noodles

→ Flavor Boosters & Herbs

09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first up for this Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, grab a big pot or Dutch oven, drizzle in a bit of olive oil, and get it warm over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Listen to that sizzle! This is where the magic starts. Sauté them for about 8-10 minutes, until they start to soften and the onion turns translucent. You'll smell that sweet, earthy aroma filling your kitchen—that's the good stuff, trust me. I used to rush this step, and the soup just wasn't as flavorful, so take your time here.
02 - Once your veggies are soft and smelling amazing, stir in that minced garlic. Let it cook for just a minute or so, until it's fragrant. Don't let it brown, or it gets bitter, and nobody wants that! Then, toss in your dried thyme and bay leaf. Give it a good stir, letting those herbs bloom in the warm oil and mingle with the veggies. The kitchen will start to smell like pure comfort, a truly inviting scent. I sometimes add a tiny pinch of dried rosemary here too, just for an extra layer of warmth, an experiment that worked out.
03 - Now, nestle your chicken thighs into the pot with the veggies. Pour in all that good quality chicken broth. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged. Bring the whole pot to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook. This is where the flavors deepen and the chicken gets super tender for your Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. I used to crank the heat, thinking it would cook faster, but low and slow is the way to go for the best broth.
04 - After about 20-25 minutes, or once the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the pot. Place them on a cutting board and let them cool a bit. While they're cooling, taste your broth. Now's the time to add salt and pepper. Remember, you can always add more! Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it using two forks. It should just fall apart, honestly. I've burned my fingers rushing this, so patience, friend!
05 - Bring the broth back to a gentle simmer. Add your egg noodles to the pot. Cook them according to package directions, usually about 7-10 minutes, until they're tender. Keep an eye on them; nobody wants mushy noodles in their Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup! This is where I once added too many noodles and suddenly had more noodle than soup, haha. You might need to add a splash more broth or water if it starts looking too thick, those noodles soak up liquid fast.
06 - Once the noodles are perfectly tender, stir the shredded chicken back into the pot. Give it one last taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Ladle your beautiful Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup into bowls. Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley. The vibrant green against the golden broth? Stunning! The aroma of the fresh herbs just brightens everything. It's truly a hug in a bowl, ready to warm you from the inside out. Don't skip the parsley, it makes a difference.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook your noodles; nobody likes mushy pasta! Keep an eye on them and taste for doneness.
02 - For freezing, separate the broth and chicken from the noodles to avoid mushiness upon reheating.
03 - A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving adds a surprising brightness that really elevates the flavor.
04 - Sautéing your aromatics (onion, carrots, celery) until truly softened is crucial for building a deep, flavorful broth.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large Pot or Dutch Oven
02 - Cutting Board
03 - Knife
04 - Two Forks (for shredding)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 25g

Back