Easy Recipe for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a comfort food that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just in need of a warm and cozy meal, chicken noodle soup is always a good option. Making this classic soup from scratch is easier than you may think and is a great way to use up leftover chicken from your fridge. In this article, we will guide you through how to make a delicious and hearty chicken noodle soup that will take you back to your childhood.

To make chicken noodle soup, you will need simple ingredients such as chicken, vegetables, noodles, and seasonings. The key to making a great chicken noodle soup is to add enough flavor to the broth. You can achieve this by sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the broth and seasoning the chicken with smoked paprika and thyme. This will give the soup a rich and savory taste that will leave you wanting more. So, grab your soup pot and let’s get started!

1. Gather Your Ingredients

The first step to making a delicious chicken noodle soup is by gathering your ingredients. You want to make sure you have everything you need because some ingredients, such as the chicken, need to cook for a long time.

Here is a list of commonly used ingredients for chicken noodle soup:

– 1 pound of boneless chicken breast
– 3-4 carrots, diced
– 3 stalks of celery, diced
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 6 cups of chicken broth
– 1 bay leaf
– 2 teaspoons of dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Egg noodles

2. Prepare Your Chicken

The next step is to prepare your chicken. You want to make sure your chicken is cooked properly, so it’s tender and juicy. Here are some tips for preparing your chicken:

– Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
– Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
– Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pot or Dutch oven.
– Brown the chicken on all sides.

Once your chicken is browned on all sides, remove it from the pot and set it aside.

3. Sautee Vegetables

Now it’s time to add your vegetables to the pot. Heat another tablespoon of oil in the same pot you used to cook the chicken. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery and sautee until they are tender.

4. Add Chicken and Broth

After sauteing your vegetables, add the chicken back to the pot and pour in the six cups of chicken broth. Add one bay leaf and two teaspoons of dried thyme.

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes.

5. Cook the Noodles Separately

While the soup is simmering, cook the egg noodles in a separate pot. Follow the instructions on the package, making sure not to overcook them.

6. Remove Bay Leaf

After the soup has simmered for 20-25 minutes, remove the bay leaf and discard it.

7. Shred the Chicken

Using two forks, shred the chicken in the pot.

8. Add Cooked Noodles to Soup

Once the egg noodles are cooked, drain them and add them to the pot with the chicken and vegetables.

9. Season with Salt and Pepper to Taste

After adding the egg noodles, taste the soup and season with salt and pepper to taste.

10. Serve and Enjoy

Your chicken noodle soup is now ready to be served! Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy with crackers or crusty bread. Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in a pot over medium heat before serving.

Section 2: Ingredients for Chicken Noodle Soup

Now that you know the process of cooking chicken noodle soup, it’s time to dive into the ingredients that will make your soup taste fantastic! Remember, the ingredients and their quality can make or break your soup, so it’s important to pay special attention to them. Here’s a list of ingredients that most recipes call for:

1. Chicken

The star of the show, the chicken provides the protein and flavor. A whole chicken is ideal because it has more flavor and produces a tastier broth, but you can also use chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Just make sure the chicken is fresh and free of any off-smells or slime. You can also use cooked chicken if you have some on hand, but the broth won’t be as flavorful.

2. Noodles

The type of noodles you use is entirely up to you! Some popular choices are egg noodles, pasta, or even rice noodles. Depending on the type of noodle you choose, they will have different cooking times, so make sure to check the package directions. You’ll want to boil the noodles separately and add them to the soup just before serving, so they don’t get mushy.

3. Vegetables

Carrots, celery, and onion are the classic vegetables for chicken noodle soup. They add flavor, texture, and nutrition to the soup. However, you can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, peas, or even corn. Make sure to chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

4. Garlic

Garlic adds a delicious depth of flavor to the soup. You can use fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder. Chop the garlic finely and sauté it with the vegetables before adding the broth.

5. Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are what give your soup its distinct flavor. Some popular choices are bay leaves, thyme, oregano, black pepper, and parsley. You can also add salt, but be careful not to over-salt the soup. Start with a little and adjust as needed.

6. Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is the base of your soup and provides most of the flavor. You can use store-bought chicken broth or homemade. If you’re using store-bought, try to choose low-sodium broth so you can control the saltiness of the soup.

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables and garlic. It adds a subtle flavor to the soup and also helps to keep the vegetables from sticking to the pan.

8. Lemon

Lemon adds a bright and acidic flavor to the soup. Squeeze a little lemon juice into the soup just before serving to brighten the flavors.

9. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves add a subtle flavor to the soup that complements the chicken and vegetables. Add one or two to the broth while it’s simmering.

10. Water

You’ll need to add water to the broth to make sure you have enough liquid for the noodles and vegetables. Make sure to use enough water to cover the chicken and vegetables.

Now that you have all of the ingredients, it’s time to start prepping them for the soup. Get your cutting board and knife ready, and let’s get cooking!

Ingredients for Chicken Noodle Soup

Making a good chicken noodle soup is all about getting the right ingredients, so that the flavors blend and come together in a symphony of taste. Here we’ve listed all the ingredients you’ll need to make a delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup:

Preparing the Ingredients

Before starting the cooking process, it is important to prepare the ingredients properly. Here is how you can do it:

Chicken breast: Rinse the chicken breast and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut it into small, bite-sized cubes.

Onion: Peel and chop the onion.

Carrots: Peel and chop the carrots.

Celery Stalks: Rinse the celery and chop it.

Garlic cloves: Peel and mince the garlic.

Egg noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to the instructions on the package. Drain and set them aside.

The Cooking Process

Now that the ingredients are prepped and ready, it’s time to start cooking! Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some olive oil or butter over medium heat.

2. Add the chicken to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes or until it turns golden brown. Transfer it to a plate.

3. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they turn soft.

4. Add the garlic to the pot and cook for a minute or until it becomes fragrant.

5. Return the chicken to the pot.

6. Pour the chicken broth into the pot.

7. Add the bay leaves, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper.

8. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.

9. Finally, add the egg noodles to the soup and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they become soft.

Serving the Chicken Noodle Soup

Once the soup is cooked, it’s time to serve it! Here’s how to do it:

1. Ladle the soup into bowls.

2. Garnish it with some chopped parsley.

3. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup!

Storing the Chicken Noodle Soup

The best way to store leftover chicken noodle soup is to keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to four days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it. Pour the soup into freezer-safe containers and it will stay good for up to three months. Just thaw it out in the fridge before reheating.

Enjoy Your Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup!

Congratulations, you made it to the end of this recipe! Now all you need to do is grab a bowl, spoon some soup in, and savor that chicken-y goodness. And don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back, because you’ve mastered the art of making chicken noodle soup from scratch. Thanks for reading, and do visit us again for more tasty recipes that will make your taste buds dance with joy!