If you’re craving comfort in a bowl, you’ve got to try my Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. It’s that soul-soothing, made-from-scratch kind of soup that warms you up inside and out. I absolutely love how this turns out every time—rich, flavorful broth, tender chicken, and noodles that are just perfect. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll never want canned soup again. Let me walk you through what makes this homemade gem so special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- True Homemade Goodness: Every ingredient works together to create a broth bursting with real chicken and veggie flavor, nothing artificial here.
- Easy Weeknight Favorite: Even with homemade egg noodles, it comes together quickly when you need cozy food fast.
- Flexible & Adaptable: You can swap in any pasta or add veggies to make it your own.
- Family-Approved Comfort: My family goes crazy for this soup, especially on chilly evenings or when someone’s feeling under the weather.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make your Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe truly sing, you’ll want fresh, quality ingredients that complement each other. I always recommend fresh veggies and a good rotisserie chicken for convenience without sacrificing flavor.

- Butter: Adds richness and helps soften the veggies for a fragrant base.
- Celery: Gives that classic soup crunch and earthy flavor—don’t skip it!
- Carrots: Sweetness and vibrant color that brightens the soup.
- Garlic: Just a clove to add warmth without overpowering.
- Chicken stock: The heart of the soup; homemade or store-bought, just make sure it’s flavorful.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring everything together—taste as you go.
- Dried rosemary, thyme & crushed red pepper flakes: These herbs add depth and a subtle kick to the broth.
- Homemade egg noodles or dry pasta: I love making my own noodles, but store-bought works too if you’re short on time.
- Rotisserie chicken: Saves you time while adding tender, shredded chicken meat.
- Better Than Bouillon chicken flavor: This stuff amps up the chicken flavor without extra salt, but add it sparingly.
Variations
I love how flexible this Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is—it’s a blank canvas you can really make your own. I often switch up the herbs or add seasonal veggies depending on what I have on hand. You’ll enjoy experimenting to find your perfect combo.
- Vegetable Boost: I sometimes sneak in chopped kale or spinach near the end to amp up the greens and add nutrients without changing the flavor too much.
- Spicy Twist: For a little heat, increasing the crushed red pepper flakes gives it a nice punch—my family loves it this way on cold nights.
- Gluten-Free Version: Try chickpea or rice pasta if you need gluten-free noodles; they hold up well and don’t get mushy.
- Chicken Alternatives: Leftover roast chicken or even cooked turkey work beautifully, so no worries if you don’t have a rotisserie chicken around.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Your Veggie Base
Start by melting butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add diced celery and carrots—these are your soup’s flavor foundation. Sauté them just for about 3 minutes until they start to soften but still have a little bite. Then toss in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, just until fragrant. This step really wakes up the flavors and smells amazing in your kitchen.
Step 2: Build Your Broth
Pour in your chicken stock and season with rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Here’s the pro tip: taste your broth before adding more salt because the Better Than Bouillon paste adds flavor and saltiness, so you don’t want to overdo it. I usually add a teaspoon of that paste at this point and then adjust as needed later.
Step 3: Cook the Noodles Just Right
Bring your broth to a boil, then add your noodles. If you use fresh homemade egg noodles, they’ll cook in just a few minutes. If you’re using store-bought dry pasta, watch them carefully—they need to be al dente because they’ll keep softening in the hot soup after you remove the pot from the heat. Overcooked noodles are a sad thing, so don’t walk away!
Step 4: Add the Chicken and Final Seasoning
Finally, fold in shredded rotisserie chicken meat, stirring gently. Give your soup one last taste and tweak the seasoning as needed—sometimes I add just a pinch more Better Than Bouillon or a little fresh pepper. And that’s it—your homemade chicken noodle soup is ready to serve!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Don’t Rush the Veggies: Sautéing celery and carrots helps unlock their sweetness—skipping this step means a less flavorful broth.
- Taste as You Go: I learned to always taste my broth before adding salt or bouillon—too salty soup is hard to fix!
- Noodle Watch: Remove the pot from heat just as noodles become al dente; they’ll finish cooking off the stove to avoid that mushy texture.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: Saves time, adds great flavor, and means you don’t have to boil raw chicken for hours.
How to Serve Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Garnishes
I’m all about simple garnishes that add freshness. A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or dill really brightens the soup’s flavor. Sometimes I add a squeeze of lemon juice—it cuts through the richness beautifully. A few grinds of fresh black pepper on top always completes the dish for me.
Side Dishes
My family loves pairing this soup with crusty bread or buttery garlic toast—the perfect combo for soaking up every last drop. A crisp green salad or some roasted veggies round out the meal if you want something extra hearty.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions or when friends come over, I serve my chicken noodle soup in rustic bread bowls—it’s impressive, cozy, and totally Instagram-worthy! You can also drizzle a little homemade chili oil or swirl in some cream for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. It tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld, though I make sure to keep the noodles submerged in broth to avoid drying out.
Freezing
Freezing this soup works well if you leave out the noodles—you can add fresh noodles when reheating for perfect texture. I freeze broth and chicken separately sometimes and assemble fresh for quicker meals later.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm your soup on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If frozen, add fresh cooked or dried pasta when reheating to keep noodles tender, and adjust seasoning as needed.
FAQs
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Can I use leftover cooked chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Leftover chicken works perfectly in this soup. Just shred it and add toward the end of cooking to warm through. It’s a fantastic way to avoid waste and still get delicious flavor.
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Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
You can, by substituting the chicken stock with vegetable broth and skipping the chicken. Add extra veggies like mushrooms or beans for heartiness. Using vegan noodles will keep it plant-based and still satisfying.
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What is the best way to avoid mushy noodles?
The key is to add noodles last and cook them just until al dente, then remove the pot from heat immediately. Remember, they keep softening in the hot broth, so stopping cooking early prevents them from getting mushy.
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Can I make the broth ahead of time?
Definitely! Making homemade chicken stock ahead intensifies the soup’s flavor. Store it in the fridge or freeze it, then build your soup by adding fresh noodles and chicken when ready.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe has truly become my go-to comfort in a bowl. I remember making it with my mom when I was a kid, and now I pass it on to my own family. It’s cozy, simple, and full of love—and that makes all the difference. I can’t wait for you to give it a try and make some warm memories of your own with this classic soup.
Print
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Chicken Noodle Soup combines tender rotisserie chicken, homemade or store-bought egg noodles, and a flavorful broth simmered with fresh vegetables and herbs. Made from scratch with a comforting blend of celery, carrots, garlic, and chicken stock, this hearty soup is perfect for a nourishing meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3-4 large carrots, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Soup Base
- 1/2 Tablespoon butter
- 10 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary, or more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon better than bouillon chicken flavor, or chicken bouillon granules (or more as needed)
Main Ingredients
- 1 batch homemade egg noodles or 4 cups dry egg noodles, farfalle or other bite-size pasta
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, melt 1/2 tablespoon butter, then add diced celery and carrots. Sauté for 3 minutes until slightly softened. Add minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in 10 cups of chicken stock. Season the broth with dried rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Taste the broth and add a spoonful of better than bouillon chicken flavor or chicken bouillon granules if additional flavor is needed.
- Cook Noodles: Bring the broth to a boil. Add the noodles—either homemade egg noodles or dry pasta—and cook just until al dente. Be attentive not to overcook the noodles, especially if using store-bought varieties, as they will continue cooking once removed from heat.
- Add Chicken: Remove pot from heat as soon as noodles are tender but firm. Stir in 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. Taste the soup again and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve and Store: Serve hot. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, depending on the freshness of the chicken used.
Notes
- Making Chicken Noodle Soup from scratch with homemade broth and noodles elevates the flavor and texture significantly.
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles; they become mushy and lose their pleasant bite.
- This soup can be personalized with extra herbs or spices according to your preference.
- Leftovers stored properly will remain flavorful and safe to eat for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 206 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 934 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg

