There’s nothing quite like curling up with a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup, especially when it’s lovingly made from scratch. This small batch chicken noodle soup for two is the definition of comfort in a bowl—rich, aromatic broth, tender bites of chicken, and soft noodles that soak up all that savory goodness. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, a cozy lunch, or when you're feeling under the weather and need something soothing but still hearty. With this chicken noodle soup homemade easy recipe, you don’t need a big pot or a whole day—just a handful of pantry staples, a small saucepan, and about 30 minutes of your time. Whether you're cooking for yourself or sharing with someone special, this easy homemade chicken noodle soup simple enough for beginners but flavorful enough to rival grandma’s.
Small Batch Chicken Noodle Soup for Two
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Medium saucepan or small Dutch oven (2–3 quarts) Ideal for small batch cooking without overcrowding your ingredients
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula For stirring aromatics and soup
Chef’s knife and cutting board For prepping vegetables and herbs
Measuring cups and spoons To keep ingredient quantities accurate
Ladle For serving the soup into bowls
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 medium carrot peeled and sliced
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth homemade or store-bought
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken leftover rotisserie or poached
- 3 ounces egg noodles about 1 heaping cup
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
- Juice of 1/4 lemon optional, for brightness
Sauté the Vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and the onions are translucent. This trifecta of veggies—known as mirepoix—is the foundation of many great chicken soup recipes.
Add Garlic and Herbs
Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. You should start smelling that classic chicken noodle aroma—your kitchen is on its way to smelling like a cozy diner or grandma’s house.
Pour in the Broth
Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the flavors meld for about 5 minutes.
Add the Noodles
Add the egg noodles and simmer until tender, about 6–8 minutes. If you're using homemade noodles for chicken noodle soup, adjust cook time accordingly—they often take less time than dried noodles.
Stir in the Chicken
Add the cooked, shredded chicken to the pot and heat through for 3–4 more minutes. Don’t overcook, as chicken breast can dry out easily. This stovetop chicken noodle soup easy recipe gives you plenty of flexibility, so even leftover grilled or roasted chicken works wonderfully.
Garnish and Serve
Remove the pot from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a splash of lemon juice for brightness. Garnish with chopped parsley, then ladle into bowls and serve warm.
Pairings
Though this best homemade chicken noodle soup is satisfying all on its own, here are some perfect pairings to round out your meal:
- Crusty Bread: A slice of toasted sourdough or baguette is perfect for dipping
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: The melty richness balances the lightness of the soup
- Simple Salad: A small green salad with vinaigrette adds a fresh contrast
- Crackers: Classic saltines or buttery round crackers are always a welcome addition
- Hot Tea or Apple Cider: For a cozy, soothing beverage pairing
These additions transform your bowl of soup into a comforting and complete meal, especially great on chilly evenings or when you need a little TLC.
FAQs
1. What kind of chicken should I use?
For this small batch recipe, cooked chicken breast works great if you want lean and mild flavor. Chicken thighs, especially boneless and skinless, offer a richer and more savory depth. Leftover rotisserie chicken is also a fantastic shortcut for quick and easy chicken noodle soup.
2. Can I make this with raw chicken?
Yes! You can poach a small chicken breast in the broth first (about 15 minutes), remove it, shred it, then continue with the recipe. It’s an easy way to create chicken noodle soup from scratch.
3. Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, but note that noodles can get mushy when frozen. If you plan to freeze it, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them fresh when reheating.
4. What noodles work best?
Egg noodles are traditional, but you can also use ditalini, orzo, or even spaghetti broken into pieces. If you’re a fan of noodle soup recipes, try making your own noodles for a rustic twist.
5. How do I keep it from getting bland?
Use high-quality chicken broth and season in layers. A splash of lemon juice or a pinch of extra herbs at the end can help elevate the flavor. And always taste before serving!
