Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup (Printable)

A warm, soothing bowl of tender chicken, vegetables, and egg noodles in a light, flavorful broth.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 ounces), or 2 thighs for richer flavor

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Broth & Noodles

06 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - about 2 cups wide egg noodles

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts (whole), chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
04 - Remove chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks.
05 - Return shredded chicken to the pot. Add egg noodles and simmer for 7–8 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
06 - Stir in fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove bay leaf before serving. Ladle into bowls and garnish with additional parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The broth develops layers of flavor in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight comfort food without the all-day simmer
  • Using whole chicken breasts keeps the meat tender while infusing the broth with richness that feels homemade
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time for curling up on the couch
02 -
  • The noodles will continue absorbing broth even after you turn off the heat, so the soup will thicken as it sits
  • If you're planning to freeze portions, cook the noodles separately and add them when reheating to prevent them from becoming mushy
  • Tasting your broth before adding the noodles is crucial because the pasta absorbs salt as it cooks
03 -
  • Cooking the chicken whole instead of cutting it into cubes first prevents it from drying out and keeps the broth clearer
  • Using a wide pot instead of a tall narrow one helps the liquid evaporate properly, concentrating the flavors
  • Skimming any foam that rises to the surface during the initial simmer results in a cleaner tasting broth
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