Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

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Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup — 🍲🥕🙌🏻 Classic, comforting, and tastes just like grandma made but way easier and faster! This soup is AMAZING and it’ll be your new favorite recipe!

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with vegetables and herbs on a wooden board, accompanied by slices of bread and a small bowl of chopped parsley.

The Easiest Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Chicken noodle soup is one of the fondest memories I have of my grandmother’s cooking. Classic, comforting, a cure-all for whatever ailed me, and I could taste my grandma’s love in it.

However, my grandma’s version took hours and hours. I don’t have time to watch a boiling pot for half the day and this version is easy, ready in 30-minutes, and has all the comforting qualities you want in classic chicken noodle soup.

A pot of homemade chicken noodle soup with a wooden spoon, surrounded by carrots, parsley, and slices of bread on a woven mat.

My family loved the homey, classic flavors in the soup, raved about it, and asked when I’m making it again.

It makes enough to stash half in the freezer for a rainy day or for winter cold and flu season. Chicken noodle soup is a miracle worker! Even better when it’s a one-pot wonder to cut down on dishes and work.

What Readers Are Saying

It’s not just my family who’s raving about this soup. With 1000+ 5-star reviews, this soup is an ultimate favorite! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

After finding this great soup recipe, it’s my GO-TO one. Everyone loves it. I use egg noodles or small sized pasta and less than called for.
Will need to try more from your website!

Lois

This is our FAVORITE chicken noodle soup recipe! It’s so easy and makes flavorful soup!

Meredith S.

This soup is full of flavor. I followed the recipe and added a handful of frozen peas for color. Start to finish was 30 mins. Hubby had 3 bowls! I’ll be making more of your recipes.

Kerri

Ingredients for a soup arranged on a countertop include sliced carrots, chopped celery, diced onions, shredded chicken, egg noodles, broth, olive oil, salt, garlic, herbs, and parsley.

Chicken Noodle Soup Ingredients 

To make this easy chicken noodle soup recipe, you’ll need the following basic ingredients: 

  • Olive oil
  • Carrots 
  • Celery stalks
  • Sweet Vidalia onion
  • Garlic
  • Chicken broth 
  • Bay leaves
  • Fresh thyme sprig
  • Dried oregano
  • Wide egg noodles
  • Shredded cooked chicken
  • Fresh parsley 
  • Salt and black pepper

Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup

Making homemade chicken noodle soup with egg noodles doesn’t get easier than this! Here’s an overview of how this simple recipe comes together: 

  1. To a large Dutch oven or stockpot, add the oil and heat over medium-high heat to warm.
  2. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and sauté until the veggies begin to soften before adding the garlic and sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, pepper, and bring to a boil. Allow mixture to boil gently for about 5 minutes or until vegetables are fork-tender. 
  4. Add the egg noodles, stir with a wooden spoon, and simmer the mixture until the noodles are cooked through. 
  5. Add the chicken, parsley, optional lemon juice and boil until chicken is warmed through, remove the bay leaves and fresh herbs sprigs, and serve immediately! 

Recipe FAQs

What Are the Best Noodles for Chicken Noodle Soup? 

Wide egg noodles in chicken noodle soup is the only way to go for me because that’s how my grandma made it, but if you like rotini or another type of pasta, use it instead.

What’s the best chicken for chicken noodle soup?

I always use store bought rotisserie shredded chicken, both the white and dark meat, in my homemade chicken noodle soup (if I don’t have leftover boneless skinless chicken breasts on hand). My Sheet Pan Whole Roasted Chicken leftovers or extra chicken from Crockpot Whole Chicken are great to use in this soup because you get the flavor from bone-in chicken or you can use shredded chicken thighs. Or use my quickie Poached Chicken recipe. There are lots of options!

What Herbs are used in chicken noodle soup?

I prefer using a blend of fresh and dried herbs in my soup for a more nuanced flavor. For this recipe, I used bay leaves, fresh thyme, and dried oregano. However, you can easily adapt the recipe using whatever herbs you have on hand!

Why do you add lemon juice to chicken noodle soup?

The squeeze of lemon juice does NOT make the soup taste even remotely lemony. Instead, it brightens up the rich flavors of the soup and makes the recipe pop overall. If you don’t have a fresh lemon on hand, use apple cider vinegar to achieve the same result.

What sides go with chicken noodle soup?

We love serving this easy homemade soup with bread rolls (try Parker House Rolls or No-Knead Dinner Rolls), Skillet Cornbread, or a Classic House Salad.

how long can I store chicken soup?

You can store this soup in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days in the fridge or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with carrots, noodles, and parsley is placed on a table. Slices of bread are in the background.

what to serve with chicken noodle soup

You can serve this comforting chicken soup with anything from crackers or dinner rolls to your favorite crusty bread. It’s a meal in itself! Of course, you can serve the soup as a side to another entree, pair it with a simple house salad, or whatever works well for your meal lineup.

Tips for the Best Chicken Noodle Soup

Herbs: There are quite a few herbs used including thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and parsley. If you don’t have them all on hand, don’t want to buy a bunch of thyme for just 1 teaspoon, or aren’t fond of a particular herb, you can probably omit it. Your soup won’t taste exactly like mine, but it’ll be close.

Salt: Make sure to salt your soup to taste. I use low-sodium chicken broth and add a bit of salt to my soup so I can control the overall salt level. The saltiness of low-sodium broth varies among brands, and if you used a rotisserie chicken, salt levels vary. And everyone’s personal preference for salt varies so salt to taste.

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4.56 from 1319 votes

Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

By Averie Sunshine
🍲🥕🙌🏻 Classic, comforting, and tastes just like grandma made but way easier and faster! This soup is AMAZING and it'll be your new favorite recipe! Made in just one pot and ready in 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
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Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced thin (about 1 1/2 large carrots)
  • 1 cup celery, sliced thin (about 2 stalks)
  • 1 cup sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, peeled and diced small (about 1 medium onion)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 64 ounces 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (plus more if desired)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
  • 12 ounces wide egg noodles, (or your favorite noodles or pasta)
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, (use store bought rotisserie chicken to save time; or use other leftover chicken or cook your own chicken)
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • To a large Dutch oven or stockpot, add the oil and heat over medium-high heat to warm.
  • Add the carrots, celery, onion, and sauté for about 7 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften. Stir intermittently.
    Add the garlic and sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, pepper, and bring to a boil. Allow mixture to boil gently for about 5 minutes or until vegetables are fork-tender. Note – If you like brothier soup, add additional broth, possibly as much as an additional 64 ounces because as time passes the noodles will continue to absorb broth.
  • Add the egg noodles and boil mixture for about 10 minutes, or until noodles are soft and cooked through. Tip – At any time while making the soup, if the overall liquid level is lower than you like and you prefer more broth, adding a cup or two of water is okay. At the end you will adjust the salt level.
  • Add the chicken, parsley, optional lemon juice (brightens up the flavor), and boil 1 to 2 minutes, or until chicken is warmed through. Tips – Taste soup and add salt to taste. I add about 1 tablespoon but this will vary based on how salty the brand of chicken broth used is, how salty the rotisserie chicken is, and personal preference. Make any necessary seasoning adjustments (i.e. more salt, pepper, herbs, etc.), remove the bay leaves, and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Storage: Soup will keep airtight in the fridge for 5 to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a saucepan, as desired. Note that as leftover soup sits and time passes, the noodles will continue to absorb the broth so don’t be surprised if the overall liquid volume looks less. You can easily add a bit more broth, as desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 412kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 83mg, Sodium: 168mg, Potassium: 683mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 3886IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Easy Chicken Soup Recipes: 

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup — Classic and comforting chicken noodle soup with loads of juicy chicken, tender noodles, carrots, celery, and seasoned to perfection so that it tastes just like grandma used to make it! But this recipe is made with EASE and convenience in mind by using your slow cooker. Just add the ingredients, set it and forget it, and your soup will taste AMAZING!

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup - Classic and comforting chicken noodle soup with loads of juicy chicken, tender noodles, carrots, celery, and seasoned to perfection so that it tastes just like grandma used to make it! But this recipe is made with EASE and convenience in mind by using your Crock-Pot. Just add the ingredients, set it and forget it, and your soup will taste AMAZING!

Easy 30-Minute CREAMY Chicken Noodle Soup — Why have regular chicken noodle soup when you can have CREAMY instead? Pure comfort food at its finest! Ready in 30 minutes, an instant family favorite, and PERFECT for chilly weather!!

Easy 30-Minute Homemade White Chicken Chili – Hearty, healthy, loaded with tender chicken, and packed with bold flavor! Fast and easy comfort food that everyone loves! It’ll be on rotation all winter!

Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup –  Chicken, tomatoes, corn, black beans, avocado, cheese, and addictively crunchy tortilla strips! Fast, easy weeknight meal, and better than from a restaurant!

Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Tortellini Soup – An fun spin on classic chicken noodle soup using cheese tortellini! Fast, easy, comfort food that just hits the spot! You’ll make it over and over again!

Chicken Pot Pie Soup — All the comfort food feels of pot pie, but in soup form! Rich, hearty, creamy and ready in just 30 minutes! Use canned biscuit dough to save time on busy weeknights when you’re craving a hot homemade meal!

Loaded Cheesy Chicken Chowder — Potatoes, chicken, carrots, corn and more!! Thick, creamy, rich, and wonderfully cheesy!! Fast and easy comfort food that everyone loves!!

4.56 from 1319 votes (990 ratings without comment)

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. I made this soup on Tuesday night, and I will say that the flavor didn’t impress me on the first night but has gotten better on the 2nd and 3rd night. Also, I added an additional cup and a half of carrots and an additional cup of chicken after I followed the recipe to the letter in the beginning. There were just SO MANY noodles it was hiding everything else. Overall I like it and will make it again.

  2. Unfortunately we can’t get chicken broth in the country I live in. Do you think it would it be possible to substitute chicken stock (perhaps with some water) instead? I keep coming back to this page and staring longingly at the soup…

    1. In the US we use chicken broth and chicken stock interchangeably so not sure what you have vs. what I have and what the differences are. I would use common sense and thin out whatever you have if you think it needs thinning out with water and just play it by ear with regard to the consistency, saltiness level, etc. I’m sure the soup will turn out great.

  3. Sitting down a piping hot bowl of chicken noodle soup right now! I didn’t have celery, or enough rotisserie chicken. So I skipped the celery and quickly sautรฉed extra chicken in the pan. It warm and tasty and just what I needed.
    Thanks for the recipe!

  4. Made this tonight. My 3 year old gobbled it up and my husband went back for a 2nd bowl. This recipe is a keeper.

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and glad it came out great for you! Glad it’s a keeper and the whole family enjoyed it!

    1. I don’t know the calorie breakdown but there are online calculators you can use to plug in the recipe data and then determine what you’re looking for. Serving size would vary based on the person’s appetite.

  5. Everyone in my house is sick so I decided to look for a homemade chicken noodle soup recipe and found this one on Pinterest. I made this soup last night and it was a major hit. My husband who says soup does not make a complete meal ate 2 bowls and called it “hearty”. My 2 sons who are very picky also called it “delicious”. This recipe is definitely a keeper!

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and Iโ€™m glad it came out great for you! Glad that it got praise from both hubby and kids, too!

  6. Making this for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. The first time I made it, I was fairly certain that the full teaspoon of black pepper was going to be too spicy for my littles. I was right but it was soooo good, they dunked their crescents and ate it anyway. Today, I cut back the pepper, used homemade chicken broth & leftover chicken. It is even more delicious!!! Definitely a keeper! Thanks so much!!

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and Iโ€™m glad it’s even better the second time around! Salt and pepper are so personal, so yes, always just add to taste and glad the homemade broth and chicken worked like a charm. If you have any leftover Thanksgiving turkey, that’ll work too!

  7. My husband claims he does not like soup and doesn’t consider it a meal. I made this and he ate two bowls of it that night and brought leftovers to work for lunch the next day. It was so delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and Iโ€™m glad it came out great for you! Glad your husband is a believer now :)

  8. The soup is wonderful, but it definitely took longer than 30 minutes. The ingredients and amounts are perfect, and I wouldn’t change a thing. ย 

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and Iโ€™m glad it came out great for you and that you wouldn’t change a thing!

  9. I just made this soup and it was delicious. I didn’t have fresh parsley so I had to use dried and I cut the pepper in half as I am not a fan and was still a little to much but was still very good. I didn’t need to add any salt and I use the reduced sodium Better than Bullion for my broth. Hubby is going to love it. Thanks!!

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and Iโ€™m glad it came out great for you! And yes way better than bullion! Glad it tasted great for you!

  10. This recipe is very quick and delicious but 12 oz of noodles was way too much. The noodles soaked up all of the broth :(.

    1. Thanks for trying the recipe and glad it was delicious. In Step 5. I wrote ‘ At any time while making the soup, if the overall liquid level is lower than you like and you prefer more broth, adding a cup or two of water is okay. At the end you will adjust the salt level.’ So in your case, another cup or two of water would have been great (or extra chicken broth). Now you know for next time. Thanks for trying the recipe!

    2. I’ve made this twice now. It IS delicious. I’ve had the same problem with the noodles usurping my broth. The second time I added water and more broth and it was still all gone the next day. Perhaps I should use less noodles?

      1. I would say use less noodles, and/or switch brands (some ‘soak up’ broth much more than others) and possibly continue to add more water/more broth than I called for. The great thing about this recipe it’s very flexible and you can always adjust the salt at the end to account for the liquids added. Glad you’re loving the flavor!

  11. I would love to try your chicken noodle soup as a freezer meal but was wondering if the noodles would be mushy when I reheat it?

    1. I have never had that happen. Just be sure not to overcook the noodles to begin with knowing you’re going to have to thaw/reheat.

  12. Could I pop this in the crockpot for a couple hours? I know I LOVE the idea about it being 30 mins, but to really enhance the flavor? or will things get too mushy???
    I am loving your recipe’s!!!

    1. I haven’t tried this recipe as a slow cooker recipe and while you probably could do it, there is that risk of things turning mushy, and I haven’t tested it out. There is so much flavor after 30 minutes that I really don’t think it’s lacking in any way or that you’ll miss one ounce of flavor!