Description
Comfort meets nostalgia in this classic chicken noodle soup that warms hearts and soothes souls. Packed with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles, you’ll find pure culinary happiness in each spoonful of this timeless family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless skinless)
Vegetables:
- 1/2 yellow onion (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (sliced thinly)
- 2 carrots (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) coarse ground black pepper
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles (cooked 1 minute shy of directions)
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics by melting butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions, minced garlic, and sliced celery with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Cook until onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes, being cautious not to burn the garlic.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot and add carrots. Include fresh thyme for an herbal essence. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, allowing carrots to soften gradually.
- Carefully lower chicken breasts into the simmering broth. Reduce heat and poach for 20 minutes, enabling the chicken to absorb the rich flavors of the surrounding ingredients.
- Remove chicken from the broth and shred using two forks. The meat should be tender and easily pulled apart. Return shredded chicken to the pot and incorporate pre-cooked noodles, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Perform a final flavor assessment. Sample the soup and adjust seasonings as needed. Consider adding a touch of lemon juice for brightness or additional salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste profile. Ensure the soup is well-balanced and satisfying before serving.
Notes
- Boost protein by adding quinoa or white beans for a heartier, more nutritious soup.
- For gluten-free version, swap traditional noodles with rice noodles or spiralized zucchini strands.
- Keep chicken extra tender by using bone-in chicken thighs instead of breasts, which retain moisture better during cooking.
- Chop vegetables and shred chicken in advance to cut down total cooking time and simplify weeknight meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg