Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Heartwarming Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a delightful homemade chicken noodle soup brings comfort right to your kitchen table.

Warm bowls of golden broth carry memories of grandmother’s loving care.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among soft, perfectly cooked noodles that dance with herbs and vegetables.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a nourishing meal that feels like a gentle embrace.

Fragrant steam rises, promising healing and satisfaction with each spoonful.

Nutritious and simple, this classic recipe connects generations through its timeless appeal.

Let’s transform basic ingredients into a soul-warming masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Heartwarming Classic: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Simplify Meal Prep: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, making dinner preparation a breeze without constant monitoring.
  • Comfort in a Bowl: Packed with tender shredded chicken and soft noodles, this soup delivers warm, hearty flavors that hug your taste buds and soothe your soul.
  • Adaptable Family Pleaser: Customize the soup's consistency by adding more broth, making it perfect for picky eaters and different taste preferences.
  • No-Fuss Cooking: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean anyone can create a delicious, homemade meal without advanced cooking skills.

Ingredients to Build Your Chicken Noodle Soup

For the Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Frozen chicken breasts provide the main protein and hearty texture of the soup.
For the Liquid Base:
  • Chicken Broth: Serves as the primary liquid and flavor foundation for the soup.
  • Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds extra creaminess and depth to the soup's overall flavor profile.
For the Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Butter: Contributes richness and smooth flavor to the soup.
  • Poultry Seasoning, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper: These seasonings blend together to create a well-rounded and savory taste.
For the Noodles:
  • Dry Egg Noodles: Provides the classic comforting texture and completes the traditional chicken noodle soup experience.

Instructions for Soul-Soothing Chicken Noodle Soup

Step 1: Toss Chicken and Seasonings

Place chicken breasts, broth, cream of chicken soup, and seasonings into the slow cooker:
  • Chicken breasts
  • Chicken broth
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Butter
  • Poultry seasoning
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed in the cooker.

Step 2: Crank Up the Heat

Set the slow cooker to high temperature and let it cook for 4 hours.

This allows the chicken to become tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Once cooking time is complete, use two forks to pull apart and shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

The meat should be soft and easily pulled apart.

Step 4: Add Noodles

Pour dry egg noodles directly into the slow cooker with the shredded chicken and broth mixture.

Stir gently to combine.

Step 5: Final Cooking

Continue cooking the noodles for 30 minutes to 1 hour until they become soft and fully cooked.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Adjust Consistency

If the soup seems too thick, add extra chicken broth to reach your desired texture.

Stir well to incorporate.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy this comforting, homemade meal straight from the slow cooker.

Pro Tips for the Ultimate Comfort Soup

  • Use frozen chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker for convenient, time-saving meal preparation without prior thawing.
  • Adjust chicken broth quantity to create your ideal soup consistency, making it thicker or more liquid based on personal preference.
  • Experiment with additional herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to elevate the soup's taste profile and add complexity.
  • Use two forks to pull apart chicken after cooking, ensuring tender, evenly distributed meat pieces throughout the soup.
  • Monitor egg noodles closely during the 30-60 minute cooking window to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect texture.

Delicious Twists on Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Hearty Mediterranean Chicken Soup: Replace poultry seasoning with oregano, basil, and add diced tomatoes and zucchini for a Mediterranean-style flavor profile.
  • Spicy Southwest Chicken Noodle Soup: Include diced green chilies, cumin, chili powder, and top with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
  • Creamy Herb Chicken Noodle Soup: Mix in fresh chopped thyme, rosemary, and replace cream of chicken soup with heavy cream for a richer, more herbaceous version.
  • Asian-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup: Swap egg noodles for rice noodles, add ginger, soy sauce, and garnish with green onions for an authentic Asian taste.

Pairing Suggestions for Your Cozy Soup

  • Pair Crusty Sourdough Bread: Soak up the rich, savory broth with a slice of tangy sourdough bread, creating a perfect textural contrast.
  • Complement with Crisp Chardonnay: Choose a light, unoaked Chardonnay that balances the soup's warmth with its refreshing acidity.
  • Match with Fresh Garden Salad: Create a light, crisp side of mixed greens with a zesty vinaigrette to cut through the soup's hearty flavors.
  • Enhance with Herb Butter: Spread homemade herb butter on bread to elevate the soup's aromatic profile and add a luxurious touch.

Keeping Chicken Noodle Soup Fresh and Flavorful

Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.

Pour completely cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave slight headspace for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.

Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add extra chicken broth if soup has thickened during storage. Stir until heated thoroughly to prevent scorching.

Place soup in microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Check temperature before serving to prevent hot spots.

FAQs

  • Can I use fresh chicken instead of frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use fresh chicken breasts. Simply follow the same recipe, but adjust cooking time slightly as fresh chicken might cook faster than frozen chicken.

  • Do I need to pre-cook the egg noodles before adding them to the slow cooker?

No, you can add dry egg noodles directly into the slow cooker. They will cook and absorb the flavorful broth during the final 30-60 minutes of cooking.

  • Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This chicken noodle soup is great for meal prep. You can store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat it easily for quick, comforting meals.

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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Comforting homemade chicken noodle soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its savory blend of tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and silky noodles. Home cooks can easily craft this classic dish that promises healing and satisfaction in every spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 frozen chicken breasts

Liquid Base:

  • 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth
  • 1 family-size can of cream of chicken soup

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

  • 1 bag of dry egg noodles
  • 1 stick (113 grams) of butter
  • Poultry seasoning, to taste
  • Onion powder, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine frozen chicken breasts, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, butter, poultry seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker, ensuring all ingredients are well distributed.
  2. Set slow cooker to high temperature and allow to simmer for 4 hours, which will thoroughly cook the chicken and blend the flavors.
  3. Once cooking time is complete, carefully remove chicken and use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, returning the shredded chicken back to the liquid.
  4. Gently stir dry egg noodles into the slow cooker, ensuring they are submerged in the hot broth.
  5. Continue cooking on high heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent noodles from sticking together and to ensure even cooking.
  6. Check noodle tenderness and adjust soup consistency by adding extra chicken broth if the mixture appears too thick.
  7. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed, ensuring a balanced and flavorful profile.
  8. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, making sure each portion contains a generous amount of chicken and noodles.
  9. Serve immediately while the soup is warm, offering a comforting and hearty meal.

Notes

  • Optimize shredding by using two forks and pulling chicken apart while it’s still warm for the most tender and even texture.
  • Balance salt levels carefully since both broth and cream of chicken soup contain sodium; taste before adding extra salt.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting regular egg noodles with rice noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
  • Enhance flavor depth by sautéing fresh diced onions and garlic before adding to slow cooker for more robust, layered taste profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-table cooking, Seasonal recipe creation, Culinary storytelling, Food photography and styling​

Education

The Chef’s Academy (Indianapolis, IN)

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on sustainable cooking practices, regional American cuisine, and recipe development.​

Ethan didn’t just fall in love with food, he grew into it, surrounded by fields, farmers’ markets, and family meals that told a story.
After sharpening his skills at The Chef’s Academy, he took his passion straight into the farm-to-table movement, working side-by-side with local growers and seasonal flavors.
He believes every recipe should feel like a walk through a summer market: colorful, fresh, and full of possibility.
Outside the kitchen, Ethan’s idea of a perfect day is hiking mountain trails, digging into heirloom vegetables, and hosting casual dinners where seconds are always encouraged.

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