There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup to chase away the autumn chill.

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup: Cozy Fall Recipe 16

This classic comfort food is a staple for a reason – it’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly soothing. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just craving something cozy, this recipe delivers that perfect blend of tender chicken, soft noodles, and a rich, savory broth.

This easy-to-follow recipe is designed for busy weeknights and guarantees a delicious, satisfying meal without a lot of fuss. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table, eager for a taste of that familiar, comforting warmth.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This chicken noodle soup recipe is a true winner for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for beginner cooks or anyone looking for a no-stress meal. You don’t need any fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients to achieve a deeply satisfying flavor. Second, it’s a fantastic family-friendly meal. Kids and adults alike adore the familiar taste and comforting texture of chicken and noodles swimming in a savory broth. It’s also highly customizable, so you can easily adjust it to suit your family’s preferences. Finally, this soup is ideal for those cozy fall evenings when you want something warm and nourishing without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s the ultimate comfort food for a crisp autumn day, perfect for a casual dinner or a comforting lunch.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is a great way to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience in the kitchen. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
8 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
4 ounces egg noodles (medium width)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

For the chicken, you can use leftover rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked chicken breast, or even boil and shred your own. If you prefer a richer broth, feel free to use homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought. When it comes to vegetables, feel free to add other favorites like chopped zucchini or peas towards the end of the cooking process. For the noodles, medium egg noodles work best, as they hold their shape well and absorb the broth beautifully, but thin or wide egg noodles can also be used.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for efficiency, allowing you to enjoy a homemade meal without a long wait.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this classic chicken noodle soup is a simple process. Follow these steps for a perfect bowl every time.

Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.
Add broth and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth. Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, black pepper, and salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. The aroma of the herbs will start to fill your kitchen at this stage.
Simmer the vegetables: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the vegetables to become tender and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Introduce the chicken and noodles: Uncover the pot and add the cooked, shredded chicken and the egg noodles. Stir everything together gently to ensure the noodles are submerged in the broth.
Cook the noodles: Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 5-7 minutes, or until the egg noodles are tender to your liking. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking, as mushy noodles can detract from the soup’s texture.
Taste and adjust: Carefully taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if needed. Remember that individual preferences for seasoning vary, so adjust to your liking.
Serve and garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving for a touch of freshness and color.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This chicken noodle soup is wonderful as is, but it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to switch things up or enhance your meal:

Add more vegetables: Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking vegetables like frozen peas, corn, or chopped spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
Spicy kick: For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
Creamy texture: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese at the very end for a richer, creamier soup.
Herb swap: If you don’t have thyme and rosemary, try other dried herbs like oregano or a poultry seasoning blend. Fresh herbs like dill or chives can also be lovely additions at the end.
Serving suggestions: This soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, a simple green salad, or a grilled cheese sandwich for a classic comfort food combination. For a lighter meal, serve it with some crackers.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help you achieve perfect results every time.

Overcooking the noodles: This is perhaps the most common mistake. Overcooked egg noodles become mushy and lose their pleasant texture. Always add them towards the end and cook only until they are tender-crisp. Taste a noodle to check for doneness.
Under-seasoning the broth: A bland broth can make the whole soup taste flat. Don’t be afraid to taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember that low-sodium broth will require more seasoning.
Using too much or too little liquid: The ratio of broth to solids is important for a balanced soup. Stick to the recommended amount of broth, and if you add extra vegetables, you might need a little more liquid to maintain the desired consistency.
Not sautéing vegetables long enough: Sautéing the onions, carrots, and celery until softened and slightly translucent is crucial for developing a deep, savory base flavor. Rushing this step can result in a less flavorful soup.
Adding raw chicken directly: While you can cook raw chicken in the broth, it’s generally easier and results in a better texture to use pre-cooked chicken. Adding raw chicken can also make the broth cloudy.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This chicken noodle soup is fantastic for leftovers and can be prepared in advance with a few considerations.

Storing leftovers: Once cooled, transfer any leftover soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. If the soup has thickened, you might need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Freezing: Chicken noodle soup can be frozen, but the noodles can sometimes become mushy when thawed and reheated. If you plan to freeze the soup, it’s best to cook the soup without the noodles. When you’re ready to serve, thaw the soup, bring it to a simmer, and then add fresh noodles to cook. This ensures the best texture. The broth and chicken mixture can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
Make-ahead tips: You can chop all your vegetables in advance and store them in the refrigerator. You can also cook and shred your chicken ahead of time. This will significantly reduce your prep time on the day you plan to make the soup.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Here are some common queries that often come up when making chicken noodle soup.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried? Absolutely! If using fresh herbs, you’ll typically need about three times the amount of dried herbs. For example, use 3 teaspoons of fresh thyme instead of 1 teaspoon dried. Add fresh herbs towards the end of cooking for the best flavor and color.
What kind of chicken is best for this soup? Cooked chicken breast or thighs work well. Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for flavor and convenience.
Can I add potatoes to this soup? Yes, you can! Diced potatoes (like Yukon Gold or red potatoes) can be

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup: Cozy Fall Recipe

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