The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy (2024)

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5 from 2 votes

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe – Quick and Easy: “This is the BEST Chicken Noodle soup I’ve ever had,” said her husband. Plus a weeknight meal that’s healthy and delicious!

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy (1)

So you may have noticed a trend by now around here. I have about 5 recipes in the Fantabulosity archives, that start with “The Best.” (The BEST Guacamole Recipe, the BEST Side Salad Recipe, the BEST Beef Tenderloin Recipe, The BEST Punch Recipe)

But I want you to know that I do NOT take this term lightly, and only apply it to those that I (we) truly think are the best. And you can pretty much count on there being a story of why I think each one is the best version.

There are other recipes in Fantabulosity recipe “land” that I think are super delicious, but only those that leave people pausing to say,

Jessica, I kid you not… this is the best “X” I’ve had.

get the honor of the title “The Best,” around here.

Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe: Quick & Easy

So homemade chicken noodle soup is all the same, right? Oh heavens no. For YEARS I’ve wanted achicken noodle soup recipe that would almost beg someone to get sick, just for an excuse for me to make it for them. I’m happy to say that I think this is IT. Now, I have to give major “props,” (do people still say that) to my right-hand gal, Kate…

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She’s a whiz in the kitchen (has actually even owned and ran her own food truck before) and helped me through this recipe the other day. I had the broth in the pot, the fresh herbs added, chicken and veggies sautéing, and I called her with a…

Ok, give me a run down on what spices you think should go in this chicken noodle soup recipe?

So in a quick minute, she named off her favorites, and just 30 minutes later, my husband took his first bite and proceeded to tell me 3 times,

Jessica, I’m not kidding. This is the best chicken noodle soup I’ve ever had.

Score! Time to share it with you all!

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy (3)

Why I love it SO much:

• It’s a healthy soup recipe that can be great on a diet.

• It can be doubled/tripled and put in the freezer for quick lunches or dinners during the week.

• It’s so quick and uses a lot of items on hand that can be made last minute for someone feeling under the weather.

• It’s not egg noodles. Yes, you can use just about any noodle that you like…and I know egg noodles are used in chicken noodle soup a lot but ditalini pasta is bite-size and so great for the spoon! We do use egg noodles in chicken and noodles though!

Don’t be intimidated by the fresh herbs. I know when you’re new to cooking, or heck, even just see fresh herbs in a recipe, it’s easy to think that’s it’s too “fancy,” or too “time-consuming,” for you. But adding fresh herbs can add SO much flavor to something, in an incredible way. I didn’t believe it until I tested it myself.

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Now, along with every other recipe here on the blog, you can count on it being incredibly easy. I’m a mom of two little boys and a husband that loves for me to sit down with him in the evenings so we can have our family time. So a big time-consuming meal doesn’t happen around here during the week. On Sunday’s, yes. But that’s also when my husband usually chips in with the cooking, and we make it an event.

So this chicken noodle soup recipe is NO different. It’s incredibly quick and easy and fits right in with our weekly menu plan. Would you believe that my picky eaters even eat it, and ask for it?

PRO TIP: Cook chicken breasts in the slow cooker and keep it in the freezer for quick meals like this soup!

📖 Recipe

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy (5)

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Jessica Burgess

This chicken noodle soup recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners. Fresh herbs, pasta, vegetables, and chicken are combined to make this aromatic and delicious soup recipe.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 162 kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 10 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 Tablespoon basil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon parsley
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 carrots chopped in to small pieces
  • 2 stalks of celery chopped in to small pieces
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup Ditalani pasta
  • 1-2 chicken breasts chopped in to small pieces
  • 1-2 cups water optional

Instructions

  • In a stock pot, combine chicken broth and all spices, and heat over low-medium heat.

  • In a separate saucepan, saute carrots and celery in olive oil over medium heat for 15 minutes.

  • Add in chicken breasts (sprinkle with additional salt and pepper; optional)

  • Cook an additional 5-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender.

  • Add chicken/veggie mixture to thesoup base.

  • Add in noodles about 10-15 minutes before serving.

  • Remove bay leaves and sprigs of rosemary and thyme. (It’s ok if some of the herbal leaves have broken off into the soup. It will just add a bit more character.)

  • For a thinner soup, add in 1-2 cups water once the noodles have softened. (Noodles will soak up most of soup base.)

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1/8 recipe) | Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 990mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2615IU | Vitamin C: 13.9mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

So the fresh herbs. I can hear some of you now…

Do I have to use fresh herbs?

No. Of course not. But man ALIVE. I made this without the fresh rosemary and thyme twice against the dried, and it was a HUGE difference. Can you also use fresh herbs in place of the dried herbs that I suggest. You bet! Just make sure to adjust and remember that fresh herbs are more “potent,” than dried. So use more dried if you plan to go that route, and visa versa.
Although I must admit… I’ve never had something with TOO many herbs and seasonings. I just haven’t.

Looking for Quick Weeknight Meals?

If you’re planning your weekly menu, check out some of my other favorite weeknight meals that tend to rotate in our menu plan.

BBQ Chicken Pasta

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps:

Until the next BEST recipe you all…

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy (9)
The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy (10)
The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy (2024)

FAQs

How to make chicken noodle soup from a can taste better? ›

Pretty much every can of soup already contains aromatics. But to put some pep back in your soup's step, you're going to want to add more. Start by sautéing any combination of finely chopped vegetables and alliums—like onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and ginger.

Do you cook noodles before adding to chicken soup? ›

→ Follow this tip: Adding noodles to the soup should be the very last thing you do before taking the pot off the heat. Wait until the soup is just about finished, mix in the noodles, and simmer until the noodles are about halfway cooked. The residual heat from the soup will continue to cook the pasta.

Why do people put lemon juice in chicken noodle soup? ›

use a bit of lemon juice in mine to brighten up the. flavor, and it adds such a welcome element. I love to. use a fun pasta shape for a soup like this, such as.

How do you make chicken noodle soup less boring? ›

Add Some Herbs

Start by melting a little butter in a pan and add some fresh herbs like ground pepper, oregano, thyme, and basil. Mix the sauteed herbs into the broth to add flavor to a boring canned soup. You can also toss a sprig of rosemary or fresh sage into the pot while you heat up the soup.

What brings out the flavor in chicken soup? ›

Here are a few ideas:
  1. Add a variety of herbs and spices to the broth - try adding some oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and cumin.
  2. Even better - add some garlic and onion for additional flavor.
  3. You can also throw in some veggies like carrots, celery, and potatoes for an added crunch.
Mar 5, 2023

How to get more flavor in chicken soup? ›

  1. I start off by boiling some chicken broth. I'll whisk in an egg or two, very finely. ...
  2. Chopped carrots and mushrooms. ...
  3. Tomato paste is optional; depends on whether I'm craving some. ...
  4. Ground pepper, to taste.
  5. Finish off with some freshly chopped basil and sage from the windowsi.
Mar 11, 2022

Do you simmer chicken noodle soup covered or uncovered? ›

Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce to a bare simmer and skim foam as it rises to the surface. When foam subsides, add remaining ingredients, using only 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook chicken, turning 2 or 3 times, until meat loosens from bone, about 2½ hours.

Should you use chicken stock or broth for chicken noodle soup? ›

In most cases, stock and broth are interchangeable. If you're in the soup aisle and can't remember whether the recipe called for stock or broth, either will do for making soup, gravy, or a flavorful pot of rice or grains. Keep in mind that stock is unseasoned, and broth is seasoned.

Should I rinse noodles for chicken noodle soup? ›

Rinse the Noodles: Once the noodles are cooked to al dente, drain them and rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking process and washes off excess starch, preventing them from absorbing more liquid and becoming mushy.

Why do you put vinegar in chicken soup? ›

Whether it's white wine or vinegar, a touch of acid added to the simmering pot will create a richer finished product. That's because acid helps break down the cartilage and other connective tissues in the bones of the chicken, which helps speed up the formation of gelatin in the stock.

Why add vinegar to chicken noodle soup? ›

Add Vinegar To Begin With To Avoid Oversalting

Vinegar, much like salt, is a flavor enhancer — it not only imparts its own taste and acidity to a soup, but in small quantities, it helps to bring out the brightness of other ingredients as well.

What is the liquid in chicken soup called? ›

Chicken broth is the liquid part of chicken soup. Broth can be served as is, or used as stock, or served as soup with noodles. Broth can be milder than stock, does not need to be boiled as long, and can be made with meatier chicken parts. Chicken bouillon or bouillon de poulet is the French term for chicken broth.

How do you fix tasteless chicken soup? ›

Try adding some acidity. A splash of lemon juice or a tablespoon of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors of the soup.

What thickens chicken soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

What else can you add to chicken noodle soup? ›

Originally Answered: What are some simple ingredients you can add to canned chicken noodle soup that will elevate the taste? Garlic, a hearty dash of lemon juice, chopped celery, fresh parsley, shreds of roasted chicken, some cracked black pepper.

How to make canned chicken soup taste good? ›

Herbs: Fresh chives, thyme, or cilantro stirred in just before serving. Spices: Your soup is probably salty enough, but what about simmering a bay leaf in there for a while (don't forget to remove it before serving)? Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes.

How do you make Campbell's noodle soup taste better? ›

Adding fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or dill for freshness and depth. Incorporating aromatics like onions, garlic, and celery for added complexity. Seasoning with salt, pepper, and other spices like bay leaves or paprika to taste. Adding a splash of lemon juice or a dash of vinegar to brighten the flavors.

How do you make canned chicken taste better? ›

In order to improve the taste of this canned protein, you need to add texture to it. For example, add cranberries and pecans to your next chicken salad for a textural boost. Toss your drained canned chicken in a bowl with mayonnaise, dried cranberries, pecans, and a scant amount of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.

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