Is there anything more comforting than a big bowl of chicken noodle soup? I don’t think so! It’s like a warm hug on a cold day, or when you’re just feeling a little blah. And the best part? This recipe is seriously FAST. Like, 30-minutes fast! I remember my grandma used to make chicken noodle soup whenever I was sick, and it always made me feel better. Now, I’ve tweaked her recipe a bit to make it even quicker and easier for busy weeknights. I call it my Chicken Noodle Soup Hero, because it seriously saves the day. You’re gonna love how simple and delicious it is!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Okay, so why *this* chicken noodle soup? Trust me, you’re gonna be obsessed. It’s seriously the best, and here’s why:
Benefits of This Chicken Noodle Soup Hero Recipe
Quick and Easy
Seriously, 30 minutes! From start to finish. I mean, come on!
Comforting and Flavorful
It’s like a warm hug in a bowl. The broth is so rich and the chicken is perfectly tender. My favorite part is the little bit of lemon juice – it just brightens everything up!
Packed with Nutrients
We’re talking carrots, celery, onion… all those good-for-you veggies. And chicken! Protein power!
Simple Ingredients
Nothing fancy here. You probably already have most of this stuff in your pantry. Easy peasy!
Ingredients for Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Don’t worry, nothing too crazy here. You’ll need: 1 ½ cup carrots (peeled and sliced into ¼ inch thick slices – I like ’em a little chunky!), 1 cup celery (chopped), 1 yellow onion (peeled and diced), 2 garlic cloves (minced – I use a garlic press, so easy!), 96 ounces low sodium chicken broth (you can always add more!), 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme), ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles, 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts), ¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley leaves (finely chopped), and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (optional, but trust me, it’s good!). Told ya it was simple!
How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup Hero: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here’s the deal. This is SO easy, you won’t even believe it. Just follow these steps and you’ll have a pot of delicious Chicken Noodle Soup Hero in no time!
Preparing the Noodles for Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
First things first, let’s get those noodles going. Fill a big pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once it’s boiling, toss in your egg noodles and cook ’em according to the package directions. This is important: cook them separately! Trust me, you don’t want soggy noodles in your soup. Once they’re done, drain ’em and set ’em aside. We’ll add ’em in later.
Sautéing the Vegetables for the Chicken Noodle Soup Hero Base
Now, grab your biggest pot (or a Dutch oven if you have one!). Add the olive oil and heat it up over medium-high heat. Once it’s warm, toss in the carrots, celery, and onion. We’re gonna sauté these for about 7 minutes, or until they start to soften. Stir them around every now and then so they don’t burn. Then, add the garlic and sauté for another minute or two. Careful, garlic burns easily!
Building the Flavor of Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Alright, time to build that flavor! Pour in the chicken broth, then add the bay leaves, thyme, oregano, pepper, and salt. Bring the whole mixture to a boil, then let it boil gently for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are fork-tender. This is where all those amazing flavors start to come together. Mmm!
Finishing the Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Almost there! Add the shredded chicken, parsley, and lemon juice (if you’re using it – and you should!). Let it boil for just a minute or two, until the chicken is warmed through. Now, taste the soup and add more salt if you think it needs it. Maybe a little extra pepper too? Whatever you like! And don’t forget to remove those bay leaves before serving!
Serving Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Okay, this is the best part! Grab a bowl, add about ⅔ cup of cooked noodles, and then scoop that delicious soup right over the top. Serve it up immediately and enjoy! You can add more noodles if you like a noodle-heavy soup – it’s all up to you!
Tips for the Best Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Want to take your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero to the next level? Here are a few of my favorite tips for making it absolutely perfect!
Seasoning is Key to a Delicious Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Seriously, don’t be shy with the salt and pepper! Taste the soup often and adjust the seasonings as needed. A little extra salt can really bring out all the other flavors. And if you like a little kick, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes!
Preventing Soggy Noodles in Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Okay, I can’t stress this enough: cook those noodles separately! Soggy noodles are the enemy of good soup. By cooking them separately and adding them in at the end, you’ll ensure they stay perfectly al dente.
Building a Rich Broth for Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Don’t rush the simmering process! Letting the broth simmer gently for a good 5 minutes really allows the flavors to meld together and create a super-rich and delicious base for your soup. It’s worth the wait, trust me!
Chicken Noodle Soup Hero Variations
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic Chicken Noodle Soup Hero? Awesome! Now let’s get a little crazy and try some fun variations. The possibilities are endless, really!
Add Different Herbs to Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Think outside the thyme box! Rosemary is amazing in chicken soup – a little goes a long way though, it’s strong! Or how about some fresh sage? Adds a really earthy, comforting vibe. Even a little dill can be surprisingly delicious!
Spice Up Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Want to add a little kick? A pinch of red pepper flakes is always a good idea. Or, for a more complex flavor, try adding a little smoked paprika. It’ll give your soup a really nice depth. My secret weapon? A tiny dash of hot sauce!
Vegetable Variations for Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Get creative with your veggies! Add some mushrooms for an earthy flavor. Or how about some chopped zucchini or yellow squash? They cook up super fast and add a nice sweetness. Sometimes I even throw in a handful of spinach at the very end – gotta get those greens in!
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Okay, so you’ve got your amazing Chicken Noodle Soup Hero ready to go! But what should you serve with it? A slice of crusty bread for dipping is always a winner. Or how about a simple side salad? Something light and fresh balances out the richness of the soup perfectly. Enjoy!
Storing and Reheating Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
So you’ve made a big batch of Chicken Noodle Soup Hero (good for you!), and you’ve got leftovers? No problem! It’s even better the next day, honestly. Just gotta store it right so those noodles don’t get all sad and soggy.
Storing Leftover Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
The key here is to keep the noodles separate from the soup. I usually store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge, and the noodles in a separate container. That way, they don’t soak up all the broth and turn to mush. It’ll keep for up to 5 days this way!
Reheating Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
When you’re ready to dig in again, just warm up the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave. Then, pour it over a fresh batch of cooked noodles. Boom! Perfect soup every time. If you’re feeling lazy, you *can* reheat the soup with the noodles already in it, but just know they might be a little softer. Still delicious, though!
Nutritional Information for Chicken Noodle Soup Hero
Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutrition info, right? Here’s the deal: I’m giving you a rough estimate, but keep in mind that it can totally vary depending on the exact ingredients you use. Different brands of broth, different types of noodles… it all adds up! So, take this with a grain of salt (low-sodium, of course!). This isn’t meant to be a super precise calculation, just a general idea. I hope you find this information helpful!
Chicken Noodle Soup Hero FAQs
Got questions about my Chicken Noodle Soup Hero? I got answers! Here are some of the most common things people ask me. Hope this helps!
Can I freeze Chicken Noodle Soup Hero?
Yep, you sure can! But again, those noodles! They can get kinda mushy when you thaw it. My advice? Freeze the soup *without* the noodles. Then, when you’re ready to eat, just thaw the soup and cook up some fresh noodles. Works like a charm!
Can I make Chicken Noodle Soup Hero in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Just toss everything (except the noodles and parsley) into your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Then, shred some cooked chicken, stir it in along with the parsley and cooked noodles during the last 30 minutes. Easy peasy slow cooker chicken noodle soup hero!
What kind of noodles are best for Chicken Noodle Soup Hero?
I’m a big fan of wide egg noodles – they’re classic and comforting! But honestly, you can use whatever noodles you like. Rotini, ditalini, even those cute little acini de pepe… they all work! Just adjust the cooking time accordingly and keep an eye on them so they don’t get too mushy.
Enjoy Your Chicken Noodle Soup Hero!
Alright, that’s it! You’ve officially made my Chicken Noodle Soup Hero! I really hope you love it as much as I do. If you try it out, be sure to leave a comment and rating below – I’d love to hear what you think! And don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family. Everyone deserves a little Chicken Noodle Soup Hero in their life!
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Chicken Noodle Soup Hero: The Easiest 30-Minute Fix
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Make chicken noodle soup from scratch with this simple recipe that cooks up in under 30 minutes. It is warm, comforting, packed with flavor and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cup carrots, peeled and sliced into ¼ inch thick slices
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 96 ounces low sodium chicken broth, plus more if desired
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken, about 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, optional
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and once the water is boiling, cook your egg noodles according to the package, drain and set aside.
- In a separate large pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and heat over medium high heat to warm. Add the carrots, celery and onion to Dutch oven 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, salt, and bring to a boil. Allow mixture to boil gently for about 5 minutes or until vegetables are fork tender.
- Add the shredded chicken, parsley, lemon juice, if using, and boil for 1 to 2 minutes, or until chicken is warmed through.
- Taste soup and add salt to taste. Make any necessary seasoning adjustments (i.e. more pepper, herbs, etc.) and remove the bay leaves.
- When ready to serve, add about ⅔ cup of cooked noodles into a bowl and scoop soup over the noodles and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken broth: You can use regular chicken broth if desired. You probably wont need to add any additional salt.
- Want to cook chicken directly in the broth? Add the chicken when you add the chicken broth and spices. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook the chicken for about 20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. When chicken is fully cooked, remove and shred. Add chicken back into soup along with fresh parsley and lemon juice.
- Storage: Store this soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Keep the noodles separate to prevent them from getting soggy. When reheating, warm the soup first and then pour it over the noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
