Homestyle Healing Chicken Noodle Soup for Comfort (Print Version)

Warm up with Homestyle Healing Chicken Noodle Soup. A comforting bowl, rich with flavor, perfect for chilly evenings and soothing the soul.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Dairy-free (if no cream added)

# Ingredients:

→ Soup Base Essentials

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
03 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
04 - 1 bay leaf

→ Aromatic & Flavor Boosters

05 - 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
06 - 1 cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
07 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I always add more!)
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Hearty Additions

11 - 2 cups egg noodles (medium or wide)

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your mise en place on! Dice your carrots, celery, and onion. Mince that garlic. I always find this step therapeutic, just chopping away. Heat a good glug of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, and onion, letting them soften for about 5-7 minutes. You want them tender, not browned. This is where the base flavor for your Homestyle Healing Chicken Noodle Soup really begins to develop, and the smells start to make your kitchen feel like home.
02 - Once the veggies are soft, toss in your minced garlic and dried thyme. Stir it around for just a minute until you can really smell that garlic, but don't let it burn! Then, add your chicken breasts to the pot. I usually just nestle them right in the middle. Pour in the chicken broth, making sure the chicken is mostly submerged. Add the bay leaf. This is where I always make sure the heat is just right—a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, so the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender.
03 - Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. You'll know it's ready when it shreds easily with two forks. Carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot and place them on a cutting board. Let them cool for a few minutes while the soup continues to simmer gently. This step always makes me feel like a pro chef, honestly!
04 - Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. I like mine fairly chunky, but you do you! Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Now, it's noodle time! Add the egg noodles to the simmering soup and cook according to package directions, usually about 7-10 minutes, or until they're al dente. Don't overcook them! Mushy noodles are a sad, sad thing, trust me, I've had that disaster. This is crucial for a truly satisfying Homestyle Healing Chicken Noodle Soup.
05 - Once the noodles are cooked, remove the bay leaf from the pot – seriously, don't forget this! Taste the soup. This is your moment to shine! Add salt and black pepper to your liking. I tend to be a bit heavy-handed with the pepper, but that's just me. Sometimes I add a little extra broth if it's looking too thick. Adjust until it tastes absolutely perfect to you. It's all about personal preference here, so don't be shy!
06 - Right before serving, stir in the fresh chopped parsley. That vibrant green really brightens up the whole dish and adds a lovely fresh finish. Ladle your warm, comforting Homestyle Healing Chicken Noodle Soup into bowls. It should look golden, smell amazing, and just *feel* right. Serve immediately and watch those happy faces. It's truly a labor of love, but oh so worth it!

# Notes:

01 - Always taste your broth before adding salt; broths vary wildly in sodium.
02 - For best results, let the soup cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
03 - If you don't have egg noodles, small pasta like orzo or ditalini can work in a pinch.
04 - A tiny splash of fresh lemon juice at the very end brightens all the flavors.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - two forks

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 35g

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