When it comes to comfort food, nothing hits quite like a big steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup with homemade broth. This isn’t just any soup—it’s the kind that makes the whole house smell like a hug, the kind grandma probably simmered on the stove all day. This easy chicken noodle soup recipe- stovetop version is perfect for chilly evenings, sick days, or just when you need something soul-soothing. Made completely from scratch, including the broth and the noodles, this stovetop chicken noodle soup is a flavorful upgrade to the classic everyone knows and loves.
Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Broth
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Large stockpot or Dutch oven Essential for simmering your homemade chicken noodle soup stovetop style.
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth To strain out all the bits from your broth.
Large spoon or skimmer Helpful for removing foam or fat.
Knife and Cutting Board For prepping your veggies and chicken.
Ladle and soup bowls For the cozy finish.
For the homemade broth
- 1 whole chicken about 4 lbs, giblets removed
- 10 cups cold water
- 2 carrots roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
- 1 large onion quartered (skin on for color)
- 3 garlic cloves smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
- 1 ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
For the soup
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- 2 cups cooked chicken from the broth
- 6 oz egg noodles or homemade noodles for chicken noodle soup, if you're feeling extra cozy
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Make the homemade broth
Place the whole chicken in a large pot with 10 cups of water. Add chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, parsley, and salt. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the top. Simmer for about 1½ hours.
Strain and reserve
Remove the chicken and let it cool. Strain the broth through a mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot or large bowl. Discard solids. Once the chicken is cool enough, shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces. Save 2 cups for the soup and refrigerate or freeze the rest.
Start the soup base
In the same pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery until soft and fragrant—about 8–10 minutes.
Build the soup
Pour in the homemade broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package instructions (about 7–9 minutes). Stir in the cooked chicken and season with salt and pepper.
Serve it hot
Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot and breathe in that incredible aroma of classic chicken noodle soup done right.
Perfect Pairings
- Sides: A crusty baguette or warm buttered crackers pair beautifully with this easy chicken noodle soup.
- Drinks: Keep it simple with iced tea or go soothing with a cup of herbal chamomile.
- Dessert: A warm slice of apple pie or a couple of oatmeal cookies make the perfect cozy dessert after enjoying a bowl of chicken noodle soup.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breasts or thighs instead of a whole chicken?
Yes! Boneless skinless thighs add richness, while breasts offer a leaner version. You can also use a mix. But a whole chicken gives you the most flavorful base for the best homemade chicken noodle soup.
2. What if I don’t have egg noodles?
Use any noodle you like—rotini, fusilli, even broken spaghetti. But chicken noodle soup with egg noodles just hits differently and adds that signature soft bite.
3. Can I freeze this soup?
Absolutely. Let it cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers. For best texture, you may want to freeze the broth and veggies separately from the noodles and chicken.
4. How can I make this even easier?
Use store-bought low-sodium broth and rotisserie chicken for a shortcut. That’s how you make chicken noodle soup homemade easy without sacrificing comfort.
5. Is this the same as basic chicken noodle soup?
Think of this as the upgrade. It's still your basic chicken noodle soup at heart—but elevated with deep homemade flavors and tender bites of real chicken.
