Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
A comforting bowl of broth-based soup with tender chicken, hand-pulled noodles, and aromatic herbs for a satisfying, home-cooked meal. This french-inspired comfort food ready in about 60 minutes pairs cubed chicken breasts, (chicken or vegetable) broth, (egg or wheat) noodles for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cubed chicken breasts
- 4 cups (chicken or vegetable) broth
- 2 cups (egg or wheat) noodles
- 2 medium, sliced carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp, fresh or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add chicken, broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 3: Stir in noodles and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Remove bay leaves and discard.
- Step 4: Use a slotted spoon to serve soup in bowls, adding extra noodles or herbs as desired. Garnish with fresh thyme and a drizzle of olive oil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Chicken Noodle Soup take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Classic Chicken Noodle Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cubed chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Chicken Noodle Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic Chicken Noodle Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic Chicken Noodle Soup?
French comfort food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
