Description
This comforting Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic homemade recipe featuring tender shredded rotisserie chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles simmered in a flavorful chicken broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s quick to prepare and packed with savory herbs and seasonings.
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 butter.
- Add Celery and Carrots: Add 1 cup diced celery and 1 ½ cups diced carrots to the pot, sauté for 3 minutes until slightly softened, enhancing their natural sweetness and flavor.
- Add Garlic: Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in 8 cups of chicken stock and season with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the broth and adjust salt and spices as needed to suit your preference.
- Enhance Flavor (Optional): Stir in 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste or 1 bouillon cube for a richer broth if desired.
- Bring to a Boil: Heat the broth mixture until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Cook Noodles: Add 3 cups homemade egg noodles or 8 ounces dry pasta. Cook fresh noodles for 5-7 minutes or dry pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente.
- Prevent Overcooking: Remove the pot from heat immediately after noodles reach the desired tenderness to avoid mushy noodles.
- Add Chicken: Stir in 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken to warm through without overcooking.
- Final Taste Check: Taste the soup again and adjust seasonings if necessary for a balanced flavor.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.
- Suggested Pairing: Serve with crusty bread or rolls to complete the meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, use homemade chicken stock if possible.
- Adjust the level of crushed red pepper flakes to control soup spiciness.
- Adding bouillon paste or cube is optional but adds depth to the broth.
- Fresh homemade egg noodles provide a tender texture but dry pasta works well if preferred.
- Serve immediately after cooking noodles to preserve their texture.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; noodles may absorb broth over time.
