If you are looking for the ultimate comfort food that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, this Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a rich, savory, and satisfying soup that combines tender shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles swimming in a luscious, creamy broth. Every spoonful delivers layers of flavor and texture, making it perfect for cozy dinners, family gatherings, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something deeply nourishing. This recipe brings a delightful twist to traditional chicken noodle soup by blending creamy goodness with classic ingredients, ensuring you’ll keep coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays a crucial role. From the fragrant garlic and fresh veggies that build the base, to the tender chicken and luscious broth that create the heart of the soup, every item is essential. These ingredients work harmoniously to provide vibrant color, balanced seasoning, and that irresistibly creamy texture.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps sauté the vegetables to release their natural sweetness.
- Celery (1 cup, diced): Offers a subtle crunch and fresh aroma to brighten the soup.
- Carrots (1 ½ cups, diced): Provide natural sweetness and a lovely pop of orange color.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Gives a fragrant aromatics boost that deepens the soup’s flavor.
- Chicken stock (8 cups): The soul of the soup, whether homemade or a good-quality store-bought broth, it creates a savory foundation.
- Salt (1 teaspoon) and Pepper (½ teaspoon): Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
- Dried rosemary (¼ teaspoon) and thyme (½ teaspoon): Earthy herbs that add warmth and depth.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (¼ teaspoon): Introduce a subtle kick to awaken the palate.
- Homemade egg noodles or 8 ounces dry noodles: For that tender, chewy bite that makes this soup feel so hearty.
- Cooked rotisserie chicken (3 cups, shredded): A delicious, time-saving protein that infuses the soup with meaty goodness.
- Chicken bouillon paste or cube (optional): Perfect for an extra flavor boost if desired.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by melting the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Once melted, toss in the diced celery and carrots. Sauté these fresh veggies for about 3 minutes so they soften just enough to start releasing their natural flavors, providing a wonderful base for your creamy chicken noodle soup recipe. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until you can smell its inviting aroma filling your kitchen.
Step 2: Add the Broth and Seasonings
Pour in your homemade chicken stock or a high-quality store-bought broth to the pot. This broth is where your soup’s depth really begins to develop. Season with salt, black pepper, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well and take a moment to taste and adjust the seasoning; this step is essential to create that perfectly balanced savory backdrop for the creamy chicken noodle soup recipe.
Step 3: Boost Flavor with Bouillon (Optional)
If you want an extra layer of richness, stir in a teaspoon of chicken bouillon paste or toss in a cube. This will intensify the chicken flavor without overpowering the fresh ingredients, making your soup even more comforting and robust.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles
Bring the broth to a gentle boil, then add your egg noodles or preferred pasta. Cook the noodles until they reach al dente — fresh noodles usually take about 5 to 7 minutes, while dry pasta can take 8 to 10 minutes. Be careful to remove the pot from heat promptly once the noodles are tender to avoid mushiness, which is key to the ideal texture in this creamy chicken noodle soup recipe.
Step 5: Stir in the Chicken
Next, add the shredded rotisserie chicken into the pot. The chicken has already been cooked, so it just needs to warm through and mingle with the flavors of the broth and herbs. Once combined, take another taste and fine-tune the seasoning if needed. This step seals in the meaty goodness that makes the soup so satisfying.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the rich, creamy chicken noodle soup into bowls and prepare to cozy up. At this point, the comforting aromas and silky texture will make it hard to wait before diving in.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little something extra on top can elevate this dish to another level. Chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese add freshness and a delightful finishing touch. You might also consider a few croutons or a drizzle of good quality olive oil to bring more texture and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty artisan bread or buttery rolls, perfect for dipping into the creamy broth. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is another great option to balance the richness and add a refreshing crunch alongside the heartwarming soup.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress your guests or family, serve this creamy chicken noodle soup recipe in rustic bread bowls. It’s charming and practical, turning the soup into a full meal right in the bread. You could also portion it out in individual ramekins topped with melted cheese and baked for a golden crust, adding a fun twist to this classic dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled to room temperature, transfer leftover soup to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The noodles will continue to soak up the broth, so for best results, store noodles separately if possible before combining upon reheating.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal. Freeze soup (without noodles, if possible) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop and adding freshly cooked noodles.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. If stored with noodles, you might want to add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Freshly cooked noodles added at serving time will give you that perfect texture and flavor revival.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought chicken broth instead of homemade?
Absolutely! While homemade stock offers the deepest flavor, a high-quality store-bought chicken broth works wonderfully and is a great time saver for this creamy chicken noodle soup recipe.
What noodles are best for this soup?
Homemade egg noodles provide the best texture and absorb the broth beautifully, but dry egg noodles, farfalle, or other bite-sized pasta shapes also work well depending on your preference or what you have on hand.
How can I make this soup dairy-free?
This particular recipe uses butter and a creamy broth base, but you could substitute butter with olive oil and add a splash of coconut milk or a non-dairy cream alternative to keep the soup creamy without dairy.
Is it better to add noodles before serving or ahead of time?
For the best noodle texture, it’s ideal to cook noodles separately and add them just before serving to prevent them from becoming mushy, especially if you plan to store leftovers.
Can I use leftover chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Any cooked, shredded chicken will do. Leftovers from a roast chicken or grilled chicken breast can add just as much flavor and protein to this creamy chicken noodle soup recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is a treasured classic with a delicious twist that brings warmth and comfort to any table. Its simple, wholesome ingredients come together effortlessly to create something truly special. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or indulging in a quiet night in, this soup is sure to be your go-to for heavenly satisfaction. Give it a try and watch it become an instant favorite in your recipe collection!
Print
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting and hearty Chicken Noodle Soup made with sautéed vegetables, tender rotisserie chicken, and homemade or store-bought egg noodles simmered in flavorful chicken broth, perfect for a warming meal in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 ½ cups carrots, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Broth and Seasonings
- 8 cups homemade chicken stock (or high-quality store-bought chicken broth)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste or 1 cube chicken bouillon (optional, for extra flavor)
Pasta and Protein
- 3 cups homemade egg noodles (or 8 ounces dry egg noodles, farfalle, or other bite-size pasta)
- 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter until fully melted and hot.
- Add Celery and Carrots: Add the diced celery and carrots to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until they begin to soften but still retain some bite.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken stock and add salt, black pepper, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste the broth and adjust seasoning as needed. If using, stir in chicken bouillon paste or cube for extra depth of flavor.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, approximately 5-7 minutes for fresh noodles or 8-10 minutes for dry pasta.
- Remove from Heat: Once noodles are cooked, immediately remove the pot from heat to prevent overcooking the noodles.
- Add Chicken: Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and mix until heated through.
- Final Taste Check: Taste the soup again and adjust salt, pepper, or seasonings as preferred.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately. Optionally, pair with crusty bread or rolls for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, use homemade chicken stock; store-bought broth works well as a shortcut.
- Fresh homemade noodles cook faster and have a better texture but dry pasta is a convenient alternative.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Adding chicken bouillon paste or cubes is optional but can enhance the soup’s richness.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To prevent noodles from soaking up too much broth if storing leftovers, cook noodles separately and add when serving.
