Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

The Best Medicine

My grandma called this soup “a hug in a bowl.” I believe her. When you feel a little under the weather, this soup helps. It is warm and gentle on your throat. The steam feels good on your face. It is more than just food. It is care you can eat.

Making it for someone is a quiet way to say “I love you.” I still make it when my neighbor is sick. I bring over a big pot. Her smile is my thank you. That is why this matters. Food connects us. What is your favorite food to eat when you are not feeling well?

A Story in the Pot

Let me tell you about my first time. I was about ten. I wanted to help my mom. She let me chop the celery. I was so slow! The pieces were all different sizes. Mom just smiled. She said, “It will taste the same.” And you know what? It did.

That is a good lesson. Your soup does not have to be perfect. Big onion pieces are okay. The important part is the making. You are putting good things into the pot. That always comes out in the flavor. I still laugh at that messy celery.

Building the Flavor

Start with the onion in a little oil. Cook it until it smells sweet. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Then add the garlic for just a moment. You do not want it to burn. This first step is a secret. It builds a deep, cozy flavor for your whole soup.

Then you add your broth and everything else. The bay leaf, the thyme, the chicken. Let it all bubble together slowly. The waiting is the hardest part! Fun fact: A bay leaf is from the laurel tree. People used to make crowns from the leaves for champions! Do you like thyme or basil better in your soup?

Why The Simpler, The Better

You will see we use simple things. Onion, celery, garlic. They are not fancy. But together, they create magic. This is why this matters too. Good food does not need a long list. It needs good basics, cooked with attention.

That homemade stock is wonderful. But store-bought is just fine. Use what you have. The goal is to get a warm, tasty soup on the table. Your family will not know if you used a shortcut. They will just know it tastes like home.

Your Turn to Share

Now, it is your turn. This recipe is like a blank page. You can add a carrot if you like. Maybe a little more pepper. Make it yours. That is the joy of cooking. It is a little adventure in your kitchen.

When you make it, think of someone you care about. Share a bowl with them. Or save some for your own lunch tomorrow. Tell me, what is one thing you always add to your chicken soup to make it special? I would love to hear.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
homemade chicken stock	8 cups	or use storebought
olive oil	1 teaspoon
onion, diced	½
garlic, finely diced	2 cloves
celery, diced	3 stalks
chicken bouillon	2 teaspoons
bay leaf	1
salt and fresh black pepper	to taste
dried thyme or basil	½ teaspoon
chicken, cooked and diced	1 ½ cup
Fresh parsley, chopped	½ teaspoon

My Cozy Chicken Noodle Soup

Hello, dear. Come sit at my kitchen table. The rain is tapping on the window. This calls for soup. My own grandma taught me this recipe. It fills your whole house with a wonderful smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It is like a warm hug in a bowl. I still make it when someone feels a little under the weather. Or just needs some comfort. Let’s make some together.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 8 oz egg noodles

Instructions

Step 1: First, let’s wake up our vegetables. Warm your olive oil in a big pot. Toss in your diced onion. We cook it until it’s soft and sweet. It takes about three or four minutes. Then add the garlic. Oh, that garlic smell is heaven! But watch it. Garlic burns so fast. Just thirty seconds is plenty. (My hard-learned tip: Have your garlic ready before the onions go in. No frantic chopping!)

Step 2: Now, pour in your chicken stock. I love the sound it makes. Add everything else now. That’s the celery, bouillon, bay leaf, thyme, and chicken. Give it a good stir. I still laugh at that bay leaf. It looks so lonely. But it adds such a deep flavor. Season it with a little salt and pepper. We can add more later.

Step 3: This is the magic step. Bring your soup to a gentle bubble. Then turn the heat down to low. Let it whisper to itself for an hour or two. The longer it cooks, the happier it gets. This is when the flavors become friends. What do you think the bay leaf’s job is? Share below!

Step 4: Almost done! Taste your soup. Does it need more pepper? A little more salt? Now, find that bay leaf and take it out. We don’t want anyone to bite into it. Stir in your egg noodles and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Then, stir in your fresh, chopped parsley. It adds a little pop of green. Ladle it into big, warm bowls. The steam feels so good on your face.

Cook Time: 1–2 hours
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes – 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Soup, Dinner

Three Fun Twists to Try

This soup is like a favorite story. You can tell it a little differently each time. Here are three ways I like to change it up. They are all so simple and tasty.

• Spring Garden Swap: Use fresh peas and shredded carrots instead of celery. It tastes like springtime.
• Spicy Sunshine Bowl: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic. It gives a warm, happy little kick.
• Noodle Swap: Try using wide egg noodles or little star pasta. The stars are so fun for kids. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

This soup is a full meal by itself. But I love adding a little something. A thick slice of buttered bread is perfect for dipping. A simple green salad on the side is nice, too. For a fancy touch, add a dollop of pesto on top. It looks so pretty.

What to drink? A cold glass of apple cider is wonderful. For the grown-ups, a light, crisp white wine pairs nicely. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Soup Cozy for Later

Let’s talk about storing your wonderful soup. First, let it cool completely. I leave it on the stove for about an hour. Then, it goes into containers for the fridge or freezer.

It keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days. For the freezer, use it within 3 months. Thaw it overnight in your fridge. Reheat it gently on the stove. I once reheated it too fast. The chicken got a bit tough!

Batch cooking this soup is a lifesaver. Making a double batch takes little extra time. You get future meals ready in a flash. This matters on busy school nights. A warm bowl is just minutes away.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Soup Troubles

Is your soup tasting a bit bland? Do not worry. This happens to everyone. The fix is easy. Just add a pinch more salt. Taste it after each pinch.

Getting the flavor right matters. It makes your food sing. I remember when my soup was too salty. I added a peeled potato. It soaked up the extra salt!

Are the noodles too soft? Cook them separately next time. Add them to your bowl just before serving. This keeps them perfectly springy. Is your broth not clear? Skim off the foam while it cooks. A clear broth looks so inviting.

Solving small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn by doing. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free noodles. Add them at the end so they do not get mushy.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Follow the storage tips above. The flavors get even better the next day.

Q: What if I do not have thyme? A: Use dried basil or oregano. A little dried dill is also lovely.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. Just use a bigger pot. *Fun fact: This is called “scaling” a recipe.*

Q: Any optional tips? A: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end is magic. It makes all the flavors bright. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this soup. It is a hug in a bowl. Nothing makes me happier than sharing these recipes. I would love to see your creation.

Did you add your own special twist? Maybe some extra veggies? Please share your photos with our community. It inspires everyone to get cooking.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I cannot wait to see your cozy bowls. Happy cooking!

—Anna Whitmore.