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Cozy Chicken Noodle Soup

cozy chicken noodle soup recipe - featured image

A warm, soothing, and effortless homemade chicken noodle soup recipe perfect for comfort food lovers. Ready in under 45 minutes with simple ingredients and a rich, flavorful broth.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g)
  • 6 ounces (170g) wide egg noodles
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, slice the carrots and celery, mince the garlic, and chop the parsley. Set aside. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onions turn translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant, watching closely to avoid burning.
  4. Pour in the 6 cups of chicken broth. Add thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Gently lower the chicken breasts into the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and poach the chicken for 15-20 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Avoid boiling.
  6. Remove the chicken and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
  7. Bring the broth back to a simmer. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package instructions, about 6-8 minutes, until al dente. Alternatively, cook noodles separately in salted water to prevent sogginess.
  8. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
  9. Remove the bay leaf. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Keep the broth at a gentle simmer to keep chicken tender and juicy. Sauté vegetables first for better flavor. Cook noodles separately if planning leftovers to avoid mushiness. Add fresh parsley at the end for brightness. Optional lemon juice or white vinegar can enhance flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken noodle soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, cozy soup, chicken soup, quick dinner