Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Our best recipe for the ultimate comfort meal

By
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/3/22
Tested by
Bahareh Niati
Bahareh Niati
Tested by Bahareh Niati
Bahareh Niati is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Baking and sweet treats are her favorites, and she shares her creations and love for baking on her blog Baking is Therapy.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Chicken noodle soup

The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 70 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Nothing tastes quite like a steaming hot bowl of chicken noodle soup when it's cold out or you're feeling under the weather. It's nourishing, warming, and delicious, with lots of soothing chicken flavor. Easy to make, this flavorful recipe is sure to be popular with the whole family.

Our recipe begins with chicken thighs, which flavor the broth, staying moist and tender as they cook. We like utilizing skin-on, bone-in thighs since they add tons of flavor to the soup. It's easy to make this recipe using boneless thighs if that's what you have on hand—skip the browning step and cook the chicken for just 20 minutes, or until tender.

Chicken noodle soup is the perfect mix of tender pasta, succulent chicken, flavorful broth, and colorful vegetables. Serve the one-pot meal as-is for lunch or a light dinner, or pair it with a salad and crusty bread for a substantial meal. It's quick enough for a weeknight with some wiggle room, and it keeps well in the fridge or the freezer.

“This soup has a great flavor and is perfect for cold days or when you’re looking for some comfort food. Make sure you don’t overcook the vegetables. This way they’ll keep their bright colors, and you’ll get the best texture. I like to have a few crackers and lemon wedges on the side too!” —Bahareh Niati

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, more to taste

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 large leek, white and light green parts coarsely chopped

  • 3 medium carrots, diced

  • 3 stalks celery, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 6 ounces egg noodles

  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make chicken noodle soup

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  2. Heat a large Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot over medium-high heat. Season the chicken all over with 1 teaspoon of salt. Once the pot is hot, add the oil and tilt the pot, swirling slightly, so the bottom is evenly coated. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin-side down.

    Chicken thighs in a large pot

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  3. Cook the chicken, undisturbed, until the skin is crisp and golden brown, about 7 minutes. Use tongs to remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.

    Chicken thighs with crispy skin on a plate

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the leeks and sauté until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the carrots and celery; sauté for 2 more minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    Vegetables cooking in a large pot

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  5. Add the chicken broth, water, and bay leaf. Stir, scrapping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a simmer.

    Chicken broth added to large pot of vegetables.

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  6. Meanwhile, remove the skin from the chicken thighs along with any excess fat. Enjoy the chicken skins as a delicious salad topper or make chicken skin chips.

    Chicken thighs on a cutting board with skin removed

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  7. Once the broth is simmering, return the chicken to the pot with any juices from the plate, ensuring the thighs are fully submerged. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is tender and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Use a spoon to skim off any excess fat that floats to the top, if necessary.

    Chicken thighs added to large pot of broth and vegetables

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  8. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Add the egg noodles and stir. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a simmer and cook until the noodles according to the package directions to al dente.

    Egg noodles added to pot of soup

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  9. Meanwhile, shred the chicken and discard the bones (or save them for chicken broth).

    Shredded chicken on a cutting board

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

  10. Once the noodles are cooked, remove from the heat, return the shredded chicken to the pot along with the parsley and lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning, and serve immediately.

    A pot of chicken noodle soup

    The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

Tip

  • While this soup still tastes great leftover, the noodles do get slightly soggy. If you're making it ahead to serve later, follow the recipe as written but don't add the noodles. Add the water and shredded chicken to the soup and store for up to three days. When ready to serve, bring to a simmer and add the noodles, proceeding with the recipe.

Recipe Variations

  • This recipe is even quicker using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Skip the browning step and sauté the vegetables in olive oil. Add the chicken once the broth comes to a simmer and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Follow the rest of the recipe as written.
  • For a low-carb soup, omit the noodles and water and increase the chicken to 2 1/2 pounds.
  • Swap the leek for one medium yellow onion.
  • Add more veggies, like one diced parsnip or a small diced fennel bulb. Add a pop of green by stirring in one cup of green peas or 2 packed cups of fresh spinach at the end.
  • Swap the egg noodles for another pasta, like rotini or macaroni.
  • It's also easy to make a noodle soup using your leftover Thanksgiving turkey carcass.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Chicken noodle soup will keep for up to 5 days. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • To freeze, add the soup to a freezer-safe airtight container, leaving at least an inch of space at the top. Store for up to 3 months, defrosting in the fridge before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop.

How Can I Make Chicken Soup More Flavorful?

If you're looking to add a bit more flavor to your chicken noodle soup, there are a few ways to amp up this recipe:

  • Swap the water for more chicken broth. Use a flavorful broth or stock, since it is the backbone of the soup.
  • Add more herbs like extra parsley, fresh basil, dried rosemary, or dried oregano.
  • For a bit of spice, add red pepper flakes.
  • Double the lemon juice.



Nutrition Facts (per serving)
464 Calories
26g Fat
18g Carbs
44g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 464
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 7g 37%
Cholesterol 202mg 67%
Sodium 822mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 44g
Vitamin C 8mg 38%
Calcium 74mg 6%
Iron 4mg 21%
Potassium 855mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags: