Easy Homemade Chicken Soup for Cozy Nights

There are meals you plan.

And then there are meals you reach for.

Chicken soup belongs in the second group.

It’s the kind of food that makes sense when the weather turns cold, when someone in the house isn’t feeling their best, or simply when you want a warm bowl of something comforting.

This version keeps things simple. No complicated techniques, no hard-to-find ingredients, just chicken, vegetables, broth, and a few seasonings.

What You’ll Need

• 1 pound boneless chicken breast or thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup egg noodles
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Start With the Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Add the onion, carrots, and celery.

Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Your kitchen should already be smelling pretty good.

Add the Chicken and Broth

Pour in the chicken broth.

Add the chicken, thyme, bay leaf, and black pepper.

Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat.

Let the soup simmer until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

The cooking time will depend on the size and type of chicken you’re using, so check the chicken rather than relying only on the clock.

Shred the Chicken

Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and let it cool enough to handle.

Shred it with two forks.

Remove the bay leaf from the soup.

Return the chicken to the pot.

Add the Noodles

Add the egg noodles and cook according to the package directions.

Don’t cook them much longer than necessary.

Noodles have a habit of quietly drinking half the soup overnight, so if you expect leftovers, you may want to cook the noodles separately and add them to individual bowls.

That’s one of those little tricks that saves tomorrow’s lunch.

Taste and Finish

Taste the soup.

Add salt if needed.

Stir in fresh parsley just before serving.

Then grab a bowl.

Easy Ways to Change It

You don’t have to make chicken soup exactly the same way every time.

Add potatoes for a heartier version.

Use rice instead of noodles.

Add frozen peas near the end.

Throw in leftover roasted chicken.

Add a squeeze of lemon for a brighter flavor.

You can even add a little grated Parmesan when serving.

Can You Freeze Chicken Soup?

Yes, but if you’re planning to freeze it, consider leaving the noodles out.

Cooked noodles can become soft after freezing and reheating.

Freeze the soup without noodles, then cook fresh noodles when you’re ready to serve it.

Use freezer-safe containers and leave some room at the top because liquids expand when frozen.

A Few Helpful Tips

Use chicken thighs if you want more flavor. They’re forgiving and stay tender.

Don’t rush the vegetables. Giving them a few minutes in the pot before adding the broth adds flavor.

Taste before salting heavily. Different chicken broths contain different amounts of sodium.

Don’t overcook the noodles. Especially if you plan to have leftovers.

A Bowl That Never Really Goes Out of Style

Chicken soup doesn’t need much explaining.

It’s familiar.

It’s inexpensive compared with many takeout meals.

And it makes a kitchen smell like somebody actually planned dinner.

Even when you didn’t.

That’s probably why this recipe keeps finding its way back onto dinner tables.