Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of classic chicken noodle soup. Tender chicken, soft egg noodles, and sweet carrots all come together in a savory broth that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s the kind of recipe that works for every occasion: family dinners on a chilly night, quick weeknight meals, or soothing someone who isn’t feeling well.
This recipe follows my 7-Step Soup Method, which makes soup-making simple by breaking it into easy building blocks: fat, flavor base, liquid, protein, mix-ins, spices, and finishes. Once you know the method, you can swap ingredients and create endless variations without ever needing to follow a strict recipe.
Want to mix it up? Try:
- Using leftover chicken or turkey for a shortcut
- Swapping egg noodles for rice, orzo, or dumplings
- Adding peas, corn, or mushrooms for extra color and flavor
- Making it creamy with a splash of half-and-half before serving
✨ Pin this recipe for later so you have it handy, and be sure to check out my other soup recipes if you’re building your soup-making skills!
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil)
- 1 cup onion (diced)
- 1 cup carrot (½ cup diced + ½ cup sliced)
- 1 cup celery (½ cup diced + ½ cup sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp chicken bouillon (optional)
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups egg noodles (or pasta of choice)
- 1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning (or 1 sprig fresh thyme)
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- splash of lemon (optional)
Instructions
Fat
- Heat butter or olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
Flavor Base
- Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. If the bottom starts to brown, splash in a little broth to loosen it.
Liquid Base
- Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze, loosening any browned bits. Stir in the chicken bouillon so it dissolves. Add the remaining broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
Protein
- Stir in shredded chicken.
Mix-Ins
- Add noodles and simmer until tender, about 6–8 minutes. Stir in peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
Spices
- Add bay leaf, dried thyme or Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Finishes
- Remove bay leaf. Stir in a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Garnish with fresh herbs. Serve hot with bread or crackers.
This Classic Chicken Noodle Soup is one of those timeless recipes that never goes out of style. It’s cozy, flexible, and always satisfying. Whether you make it exactly as written or put your own spin on it, you’ll end up with a bowl full of comfort every single time.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Share your favorite mix-ins or little tweaks in the comments below. And don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest so it’s easy to find next time you’re craving something warm and nourishing.
✨ Looking for more? Check out my other 7-Step Soup Recipes for cozy inspiration!
