Ingredients
Chicken and Broth
- Bone-in chicken thighs or breasts – 4 pieces (about 2 lbs)
- Chicken broth – 8 cups
Vegetables and Aromatics
- Carrots – 2 medium, chopped
- Celery stalks – 2, chopped
- Onion – 1 medium, chopped
- Garlic cloves – 3, minced
Pasta and Herbs
- Egg noodles – 6 oz
- Fresh parsley – 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Fresh thyme – 1 teaspoon, chopped
Seasoning
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
- Oil (vegetable or olive) – 1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the carrots, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Peel and mince the garlic. Measure out the herbs and set aside the chicken and noodles so everything is ready to cook.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add garlic last and cook for an additional minute, avoiding burning.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot along with the chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot and shred the meat with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup to ensure tender pieces in every bite.
- Add Noodles and Herbs: Stir in the egg noodles and fresh parsley and thyme. Cook until the noodles are tender but still firm, about 6-8 minutes.
- Season and Serve: Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup hot, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use homemade chicken broth if possible for deeper flavor.
- Add noodles late in the cooking process to prevent mushiness.
- Simmer the soup gently to keep chicken tender and broth clear.
- Skim excess fat from the surface for a lighter soup.
- Add fresh herbs near the end to preserve flavor and color.
- For gluten-free, substitute egg noodles with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
- To store leftovers, keep noodles separate to prevent sogginess.
- Freeze soup without noodles for up to 3 months; add fresh noodles when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Chicken Noodle Soup, comfort food, homemade soup, hearty soup, easy dinner, nourishing meal, classic recipe