The Ultimate Comfort Food: Classic Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup to warm your soul and boost your spirits. This timeless comfort food has been a go-to remedy for generations, combining tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles in a flavorful broth that simply can’t be matched by store-bought versions.
Why Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup?
Whether you’re fighting a cold or simply craving a bowl of comfort, homemade chicken noodle soup delivers both nourishment and satisfaction. This easy-to-follow recipe brings together simple ingredients to create a restaurant-quality soup that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or freezing for later.
Best Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Noodle Soup
- Fresh Chicken: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts or a whole chicken for the richest flavor. The bones and skin create a more flavorful broth that’s packed with nutrients.
- Egg Noodles: Traditional egg noodles are the classic choice, but you can also use wider noodles or even pasta shapes like rotini or fusilli.
- Fresh Vegetables: The holy trinity of carrots, celery, and onions (mirepoix) forms the aromatic base of this soup, providing both flavor and nutritional value.
Secret Tips for the Best Chicken Noodle Soup
- Start with cold water when making the broth – this helps extract more flavor from the chicken and bones
- Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves for enhanced flavor
- Season gradually throughout cooking to build layers of flavor
- Cook noodles separately to prevent them from becoming mushy
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken breasts or whole chicken
- 12 cups cold water
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken in a large pot with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken, let cool slightly, then shred meat off the bones. Return bones to the pot and simmer for another 15 minutes for extra flavor.
- Remove bones and add shredded chicken back to the pot along with carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme.
- Simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, cook noodles separately according to package instructions.
- Add cooked noodles to individual bowls and ladle hot soup over them. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Health Benefits of Chicken Noodle Soup
This beloved comfort food isn’t just delicious – it’s also packed with health benefits:
- Rich in protein from tender chicken
- Loaded with vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables
- Hydrating broth helps maintain fluid balance
- Anti-inflammatory properties from herbs and aromatics
Storage and Freezing Tips
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, store noodles separately from the broth to prevent them from becoming soggy. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months – again, freeze the broth and noodles separately for best results.
Remember, homemade chicken noodle soup isn’t just a meal – it’s a warm hug in a bowl that brings comfort and nourishment to anyone who enjoys it. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping, or seeking comfort food, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
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