Simple Recipes and Tips for Making Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is the ultimate comfort food, but it can seem intimidating to make from scratch. With a few simple tricks though, you can easily whip up delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. This guide covers straightforward recipes, ingredients, and tips for effortless chicken noodle soup.

Benefits of Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Making easy homemade chicken noodle soup has many perks compared to canned soup:

Healthier Ingredients

You control fresh, real food ingredients with no preservatives or additives.

Cost Savings

Homemade is cheaper than canned soups and store-bought broth.

Customize Flavors

Craft your perfect balance of vegetables, chicken, herbs and seasonings.

Satisfying and Nutritious

Nourishing protein from chicken, veggies, and noodles makes it a complete meal.

Fun Weekend Cooking Project

Simple soup can be a relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon cooking.

Picking Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Ingredients

Start with high quality ingredients for optimal flavor:

Chicken Pieces with Bones

Legs, thighs, and wings add collagen and flavor to the broth.

Mixed Vegetables

Onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, peas, and greens.

Egg Noodles

Egg noodles have a classic taste and texture.

Seasonings

Salt, pepper, bay leaves, garlic, and Italian seasoning or herbs.

Water

Plain water is an easy broth base.

Easy Homemade Chicken Stock

Simplified chicken stock forms the flavor base:

Use a Whole Cut-Up Chicken

This provides bones for broth and meat for the soup.

Mirepoix Veggies

Onions, carrots, and celery build up flavor.

Short Simmer Time

Just 1-2 hours simmering extracts solid flavor for simple stock.

Minimal Seasoning

A little salt, pepper, and herbs allows the chicken to shine.

Skip Skimming

No need to skim for a clear, clean broth.

Quick and Easy Noodle Soup Techniques

Use these handy shortcuts for straightforward chicken noodle soup:

Shredded Rotisserie Chicken

Grab a store-bought cooked chicken to skip simmering raw chicken.

Hand-Torn Kale or Spinach

Skip chopping veggies by tearing greens right into the pot.

Store-Bought Broth

Use chicken or vegetable broth to simplify the base.

Quick-Cooking Vegetables

Fresh green beans, peas, mushrooms cook fast.

Ready-to-Use Garlic and Onions

Opt for jarred minced garlic and frozen diced onions.

Dried Herbs and Seasonings

Dried herbs and seasonings quickly amp up flavor.

Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Step-by-Step

This straightforward homemade chicken noodle soup comes together quickly:

1. Simmer Chicken in Water

Combine chicken pieces, water, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until chicken is tender, about 30 minutes.

2. Remove Chicken

Take out the chicken and shred or dice the meat.

3. Add Vegetables to Pot

Throw in potatoes, frozen peas and carrots, mushrooms to the broth.

4. Stir in Shredded Chicken

Add the cooked shredded chicken back to the soup pot.

5. Cook and Add Noodles

In a separate pot, cook egg noodles until al dente. Fold into soup.

6. Season and Serve

Stir in any herbs, salt, and pepper. Ladle hot soup into bowls.

Simple Recipe Ideas for Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

These easy chicken noodle soup recipes minimize ingredients and steps:

Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Shredded rotisserie chicken, onion, spinach, broth, noodles.

Chicken and Rice Soup

Shredded chicken, rice, frozen mixed veggies, chicken broth.

Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup

Chicken, ramen noodles, mushrooms, carrot, garlic, ginger.

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

Shredded chicken, onion, beans, broth, tortilla strips.

Chicken Noodle Soup Mix Packet

Just add chicken, water, and noodles per packet directions.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken, noodles, peas, carrots, condensed cream soup.

Chicken and Dumpling Soup

Shredded chicken, broth, veggies, biscuit dough dumplings.

Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole

Mix chicken, noodles, soup, cheese and bake until bubbling.

Chicken Noodle Soup in a Slow Cooker

Combine ingredients in a slow cooker and let cook all day.

Chicken Noodle Soup in Instant Pot

Pressure cook chicken and noodles with broth and seasonings.

Simple Tips for Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Make it even easier with these handy homemade chicken noodle soup tips:

Use Multiple Pots

Cook noodles separately from broth to avoid mushiness.

Get Pre-Cut Vegetables

Save chopping time with store-bought diced onions, carrots, etc.

Utilize Leftover Meat

Shred leftover cooked chicken, beef, or pork into the soup.

Flavor with Bouillon

Stir in chicken or vegetable bouillon to boost flavor instantly.

Embrace Frozen Vegetables

Quick-cooking frozen mixed veggies are easy soup additions.

Use a Hand Blender

Quickly puree some of the soup to thicken without extra work.

Troubleshooting Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Running into issues? Here are some quick fixes:

Bland Flavor

Stir in more bouillon, herbs, garlic, or lemon juice.

Greasy or Fatty

Skim fat from surface before serving or refrigerate overnight.

Not Enough Broth

Add more water or broth and season with bouillon.

Vegetables Aren't Cooked

Simmer a little longer until veggies reach desired tenderness.

Chicken is Dry or Tough

Next time, simmer chicken longer in the broth until very tender.

Noodles are Mushy

Avoid overcooking. Add them just before serving.

Warm and Soothing Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup made easy is a weeknight win. Simmer up an uncomplicated homemade batch using simple ingredients and timesaving tips. Serve piping hot bowls of chicken noodle comfort with little effort for a soothing meal any day.

5 FAQs About Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

1. What is the easiest way to make chicken noodle soup?

Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken, frozen mixed vegetables, chicken broth, and egg noodles for fuss-free soup.

2. How long does easy chicken noodle soup take?

Most recipes take 30-60 minutes total time. Opt for shortcuts like pre-cooked chicken to make it even faster.

3. Can I use pasta instead of noodles?

Yes, any small pasta shape like orzo, ditalini, elbows, or shells can sub for noodles.

4. What seasoning is best for easy chicken soup?

Start with classic salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and parsley also add flavor.

5. How do I thicken easy chicken noodle soup?

Stir a spoonful of cornstarch into the broth, mash potatoes into it, or puree some of the cooked vegetables.