Description
A comforting and easy-to-make homemade chicken noodle soup packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs, perfect for a cozy meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 cup carrots (peeled and sliced thin, about 1 1/2 large carrots)
- 1 cup celery (sliced thin, about 2 stalks)
- 1 cup sweet Vidalia or yellow onion (peeled and diced small, about 1 medium onion)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (finely chopped)
Liquids & Broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 64 ounces (8 cups) low-sodium chicken broth (plus more if desired)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Herbs & Spices
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles (or your favorite noodles or pasta)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Instructions
- Heat the oil: To a large Dutch oven or stockpot, add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat until warm and shimmering.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the sliced carrots, celery, and diced onion to the pot. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring intermittently, until the vegetables begin to soften. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes to release its aroma.
- Add broth and herbs: Pour in the chicken broth, and add the bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle boil and cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are fork-tender. If you prefer a brothier soup, add extra broth as needed.
- Cook noodles: Add the egg noodles to the boiling soup and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and cooked through. If the soup looks too thick or you want more liquid, add a cup or two of water during this step.
- Add chicken and finish: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, fresh parsley, and optional lemon juice. Boil the soup for another 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional herbs if desired. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- Adjust salt carefully since broth and chicken may already add saltiness.
- For a brothier soup, feel free to add extra chicken broth or water during cooking.
- Lemon juice brightens the flavor but is optional depending on your preference.
- Use wide egg noodles or your favorite pasta for the best texture.
- Leftover rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver for this recipe.