Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Are you craving a bowl of comfort? Look no further than this Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. Made from scratch, just like Mom used to make, this classic chicken noodle soup recipe delivers flavor and nostalgia. A rich, hearty broth serves as the base for tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and perfectly cooked wide egg noodles. It’s simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just need a dose of home-cooked goodness, this soup is the answer.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup made from scratch. This was hands down my favorite meal as a kid, and to this day, it is my number one ranked form of comfort food, even in the heat of summer.

I remember my Mom making this when I was little and every time I ate it I got the hiccups. I realize now it was probably because I was eating it WAY too fast!!

When my friend, Lisa, and I used to play in my play kitchen we would put warm water in my “soup kettle” and “cook” homemade chicken noodle soup on my stove. It was the one meal we always made.

The Best Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This hearty and nourishing chicken soup is reminiscent of your grandma’s chicken noodle soup made completely from scratch, including the noodles! So, if you’re looking for a quick 30-minute or less soup, this isn’t the recipe for you. Slow simmered for at least an hour so the flavor can develop and the vegetables soften, this chicken soup will soothe your soul. 

If you love Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup recipes,  you are sure to love these too: Thai Chicken Noodle Soup, Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup, and this Italian Chicken Noodle Soup.

Homemade Chicken and Noodle Soup Recipe 

Perfect for those cold nights or whenever the mood hits, this chicken soup will fit the bill. Great for a weekday or weekend lunch, afternoon snack or to take with you to work or school. Make sure to serve with some crusty bread to soak up all the flavors in your bowl. This soup freezes really well so you can also stash some in the freezer to eat at a later date. 

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles 

Made with chicken broth and a fresh whole chicken you won’t get a richer flavored soup than this one. I love lots of fresh veggies in mine and to take it to the next level – make my own Egg Noodles. My Homemade Egg Noodle Recipe is easy to make and will up your noodle soup game.

Can Chicken Soup Cure a Cold?

Chicken soup is often considered beneficial when you have a cold, while it may not cure it, it provides several advantages that can help alleviate symptoms:

• The broth keeps you hydrated, which is crucial when you’re sick, and it contains nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein that support the immune system.
• Some studies suggest that chicken soup may also have mild anti-inflammatory properties, helping to ease symptoms such as a sore throat or congestion. The steam from the hot soup can clear nasal passages, and its warmth offers soothing comfort to a sore throat.
• On top of its physical benefits, chicken soup is a classic comfort food, which can make you feel emotionally better while your body fights off the infection. Although it won’t necessarily shorten the duration of a cold, it can certainly make you feel better in the meantime

Feeling under the weather? Try my Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea recipe!

Ingredients for this easy homemade chicken noodle soup recipe 

For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe. 

• Whole chicken: Using a whole chicken adds loads of flavor to homemade chicken soup.
• Onion: I added a medium-sized onion, chopped.
• Celery: I added diced celery to add flavor to the soup as well.
• Carrots: Carrots add texture, color, and flavor to the chicken soup.
• Chicken broth: I used store-bought chicken broth as a base for the soup, or make your own homemade stock.
• Chicken bouillon: If you want to add more flavor you can throw in some chicken bouillon.
• Salt and pepper: Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Water
• Egg Noodles: You can use frozen or Homemade Egg Noodles

Be sure to keep reading to find tips and tricks, substitutions, and answers to questions you may have about this homemade chicken noodle soup recipe.

How to make Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup from Scratch 

Follow these steps for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup using a whole chicken.

Place the whole raw chicken into a soup pot, large pot, or Dutch oven. Add veggies. I cut my onion up fairly large, and do the same for my celery and carrots.

Add chicken broth, salt and pepper generously, and fill with water to cover the ingredients, adding about 2-3 more inches above them.

Cover and cook until the chicken is done. Depending on the size of your chicken, I find it’s done in about an hour or a little more.

Remove the chicken from the pot, discard the skin, and de-bone it. Dice or shred the meat and return the chicken to the pot.

While your soup is cooking, boil the egg noodles until they are done, drain and rinse them. Add the noodles to the soup, and serve.

I like to garnish the soup with fresh parsley.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Notes from Me

One thing I have always noticed over the years, sometimes the broth is better than others.  When it’s good, we refer to it as “a good batch!” And when it needs some help, just like my Mom did, and her Mom before her did, I always blame the chicken! It’s easy to fix though, by adding a little chicken bouillon. 

The noodles will soak up the broth as it sits. I always add some more chicken broth to the leftovers.  We love the broth.

If you are watching your fat intake, I would recommend making this a day ahead and putting it into the fridge. The grease from the chicken will go to the top and harden and can be removed.

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this best homemade chicken noodle soup recipe make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

Substitutions

Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own!

• Change up the veggies: add some corn, frozen peas, or whatever you have on hand. 
• Use different noodles; any type of noodle goes in chicken soup so use whatever you’ve got in the pantry. 
• Swap homemade chicken stock for store-bought stock if you happen to have some in the fridge or freezer. 
• Try using chicken thighs or chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken. You can also use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken to add to the soup though cooking the raw chicken with the broth will add more flavor. 

FAQs about  Mom’s Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup 

• What is chicken noodle soup broth made of? The chicken noodle soup broth in this recipe uses store-bought chicken broth as a base. The flavor is enhanced by the whole chicken and the added vegetables and seasonings.   
• Should you cook chicken before making soup? No, cooking the chicken in the broth or water adds loads of flavor so don’t cook the chicken before making the soup. 
• Do you cook noodles before adding them to chicken soup? You can cook the noodles before you make the soup as it is a matter of choice. I prefer to cook my noodles before adding them. Cooking them in the soup will make the soup starchy and I am not a fan of that myself.
• What is the secret ingredient in soup? I find the secret ingredient in my chicken soup (besides love!) is a really good stock. That is where the whole chicken comes in. Simmering the whole chicken with fresh veggies makes a rich chicken stock.
• Is chicken stock the same as chicken broth? Though used interchangeably, chicken stock is not the same as chicken broth. Chicken stock is usually made with chicken bones while chicken broth is made using chicken meat. 
• What to add to chicken noodle soup to make it better? If your broth is bland, up the salt and pepper first. Then try adding some chicken boullion to deepen the flavor.
• Can you freeze homemade chicken noodle soup? Yes, you can freeze homemade chicken noodle soup. It freezes quite well. 
• Is homemade chicken soup healthy? Absolutely! Homemade chicken soup is chock full of nutrients. 

Tips & Tricks

• Make sure to cook whichever type of noodle you use al dente so it stays firm in the soup.
• To add more flavor throw in a few bay leaves, fresh thyme, fresh dill or any dried herbs or fresh herbs will work.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth if you need to adjust the amount of salt for health reasons. 

More Homemade Soup Recipes to Love

If you are looking for more soup recipes, I’ve got you covered. For creamy soups, you may like this Broccoli Cheese Soup, this Cream of Reuben Soup, or this Creamy Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup. 

If you like pasta-based soups then this Easiest Lasagna Soup is a must as is this Tortellini Soup With Sausage. 

See ALL of my Soup Recipes Here

This easy chicken noodle soup recipe turns a comforting bowl of soup into a warm hug.  I’m thinking we could all use an extra hug today.  

This post was originally published on February 4th, 2012. It has been rewritten to improve user experience and reshared on September 17, 2024.

My sweet pups, Gabby & Sully, who were standing close by when I first posted this recipe. They were always my audience whenever I de-boned a chicken. As all dogs do, they both crossed over the rainbow bridge into heaven in 2015 and 2016.  ❤︎