There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homestyle chicken noodle soup to warm you up from the inside out. It’s the ultimate comfort food in our house – the kind of meal that makes my kids come running when they smell the garlic and onions sizzling on the stove. I’ll never forget the first time I made this version for my family during a particularly nasty cold snap last winter. My husband, who claims he “doesn’t really do soup,” went back for thirds! That’s when I knew this recipe was special. Simple ingredients transform into something magical – tender chicken, perfectly cooked noodles, and vegetables that still have just the right amount of crunch. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
This soup checks all the boxes for busy home cooks like me:
- Comfort in every spoonful – That rich broth with tender chicken and veggies tastes like childhood memories
- Weeknight easy – Just chop, simmer, and done in under 40 minutes
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – No fancy grocery runs needed
- Meal prep superstar – Makes fantastic leftovers that freeze beautifully
Honestly? It’s the recipe I turn to most when someone in our house needs a little extra TLC – whether they’re fighting a cold or just had a rough day.
Ingredients for Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this soul-warming soup – I promise it’s all simple stuff you probably already have:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Just enough to get those veggies going
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced – About 1 cup, but don’t stress over perfection
- 1 cup sliced carrots – I like them about ¼-inch thick for nice texture
- 1 cup diced celery – Include those leafy tops for extra flavor!
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic – Yes, really that much – it makes the broth incredible
- 8 cups chicken broth or stock – Homemade if you’ve got it, but store-bought works great too
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs – Thighs stay juicier, but both work
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper – Trust me, fresh makes a difference
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt – Plus more to taste at the end
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano – Rub it between your fingers to wake up the flavor
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme – Or ½ teaspoon dried if that’s what you’ve got
- 2 bay leaves – Don’t forget to fish these out later!
- 6 oz egg noodles or your favorite small pasta – About half a standard package
See? Nothing fancy – just good, honest ingredients that come together to make magic.
How to Make Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Alright, let’s get cooking! This homestyle chicken noodle soup comes together in just a few simple steps – I promise it’s easier than you think:
- Sauté those veggies: Heat your olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Give them a good stir and let them cook for about 5 minutes – just until the onions turn translucent and your kitchen smells amazing.
- Build your broth: Pour in all that glorious chicken broth and add your chicken pieces (whole is fine – we’ll shred later). Sprinkle in the black pepper, salt, oregano, thyme, and don’t forget those bay leaves! Bring everything to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer that chicken: Let everything bubble away happily for about 20 minutes – this gives the chicken time to cook through and infuse the broth with all that delicious flavor.
- Shred time: Fish out the chicken with tongs and let it cool just enough to handle. Use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces – or go rogue and tear it with your fingers like I sometimes do!
- Noodle finale: Return the shredded chicken to the pot and add your egg noodles. Cook for 8-10 minutes (check package directions) until they’re perfectly tender but still have some bite. Fish out those bay leaves – nobody wants to bite into one!
That’s it! Ladle it into bowls while it’s piping hot and watch everyone’s faces light up.
Pro Tips for the Best Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
- Shortcut alert: Use rotisserie chicken! Just add shredded meat when you’d normally return the cooked chicken to the pot.
- Salt smart: Always taste before serving – broths vary in saltiness, so adjust as needed.
- Noodle know-how: Undercook noodles slightly if storing leftovers – they’ll soften more when reheated.
- Fresh finish: A squeeze of lemon or sprinkle of fresh parsley right before serving adds bright flavor.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
The beauty of homestyle chicken noodle soup is how flexible it is! Here are my go-to swaps when I’m improvising:
- Need gluten-free? Swap regular noodles for gluten-free egg noodles or rice noodles – they work beautifully.
- Vegetarian option: Use vegetable broth and skip the chicken (add extra mushrooms for heartiness).
- Herb hacks: Fresh herbs shine brightest, but dried work too – just use half the amount.
- Veggie variations: Throw in whatever you’ve got – peas, green beans, or even zucchini make great additions.
Don’t stress over exact matches – this soup welcomes creativity!
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Hearty Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup in 40 Minutes
A comforting and hearty homestyle chicken noodle soup made with tender chicken, vegetables, and egg noodles.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 8 cups chicken broth or stock
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 oz egg noodles or your favorite small pasta noodles
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and add chicken, black pepper, salt, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Add egg noodles and cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
- Discard bay leaves and serve hot.
Notes
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Storing and Reheating Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
This soup keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days – the flavors actually get better as they mingle. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to 2 months. When reheating, go gentle – warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat to prevent the noodles from turning mushy. If the broth seems too thick after chilling, just stir in a splash of water or extra broth while reheating. Pro tip: If you know you’ll have leftovers, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them to each bowl – this keeps them perfectly al dente!
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup Nutrition
One hearty bowl of this homestyle chicken noodle soup packs about 320 calories, with 32g protein to keep you full. You’ll get 4g fiber from the veggies and 28g carbs from the noodles. Of course, these numbers can shift a bit depending on your exact ingredients – homemade broth might be richer than store-bought, and chicken thighs will add a tad more fat than breasts. But no matter what, it’s a balanced meal that fuels you right!
Looking for a cheesy spin on classic soup night? Don’t miss the high-protein, family-friendly Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked about this homestyle chicken noodle soup all the time – here are answers to the most common questions:
- Can I use frozen vegetables? Absolutely! Frozen carrots and celery work great – just add them straight from the freezer. They might need an extra minute or two of cooking time.
- How can I make it thicker? For a heartier broth, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Does it freeze well? Perfectly! Just leave out the noodles when freezing – add fresh ones when reheating to avoid mushiness. The soup base keeps beautifully for 2 months.
Got more questions? Drop them in the comments – I love helping troubleshoot!
Share Your Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
I’d love to hear how your soup turns out! Leave a comment below with your favorite tweaks or snap a photo and tag me on social – nothing makes me happier than seeing your cozy kitchen creations. You can find us on Facebook!
