Description
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty noodles in a light yet flavorful broth. Perfect for chilly days, this easy-to-make soup is nourishing and satisfying. Whether made from scratch or with rotisserie chicken for convenience, it’s a family favorite that’s sure to bring warmth and comfort.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced (optional, adds color and flavor)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great for convenience)
- 2 cups egg noodles or spaghetti, broken into smaller pieces
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper (if using). Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent.
- Add Broth and Chicken: Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add shredded or diced chicken, bay leaf, and dried thyme. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Noodles: Add egg noodles or broken spaghetti to the boiling soup. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent noodles from sticking.
- Season the Soup: Taste the soup and adjust with salt and freshly ground black pepper. For added brightness, squeeze in some lemon juice.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
- Enjoy: Serve the soup hot with crusty bread or crackers on the side if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stove.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove, adding extra broth if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg