This Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup is everything you want when time is short but comfort is non-negotiable. It’s warm, soothing, and packed with familiar flavors tender chicken, soft egg noodles, aromatic vegetables, and a gently seasoned broth. Whether you’re fighting a cold, feeding the family, or just craving something cozy, this soup delivers homemade goodness without the all-day simmer.
Built with pantry staples and simple techniques, it’s a reliable recipe you can turn to again and again especially on busy weeknights.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
Why This Soup Works So Well
- Fast but flavorful: Uses broth shortcuts without tasting flat
- Comfort-food classic: Familiar, soothing flavors everyone loves
- Flexible ingredients: Easy swaps based on what you have
- Perfect texture: Noodles cook just long enough to stay tender
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 4 (14.5-ounce) cans chicken broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can vegetable broth
- ½ pound cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
- 1½ cups egg noodles
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Step by Step Instructions
1. Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.
2. Build the Soup
Add the chicken broth and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir in the cooked chicken, egg noodles, carrots, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
3. Simmer
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and the flavors are well blended.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
4. Serve
Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy on its own or with a simple side.
Best Noodles for Chicken Noodle Soup
- Egg noodles are traditional and cook quickly
- Rotini or fusilli work well for a heartier texture
- Rice or orzo are good alternatives if you’re out of noodles
👉 Tip: Add noodles toward the middle or end of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Easy Customizations
- Extra herbs: Bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, or parsley
- Garlic lovers: Add minced garlic with the onion
- Richer broth: Simmer raw chicken breasts directly in the broth, then shred
- Veggie boost: Peas, corn, or spinach added at the end
What to Serve with Chicken Noodle Soup
- Saltine crackers or oyster crackers
- Grilled cheese sandwich
- Crusty French bread or baguette
- Biscuits or dinner rolls
Storage & Freezing
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 6 months. For best results, freeze the soup without noodles and add freshly cooked noodles when reheating.
Reheating:
Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 162
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 13g
This Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. Warm, nourishing, and ready in under an hour, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll be grateful to have on hand especially when you need it most.
Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and celery; cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add broths, chicken, noodles, carrots, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
