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Cozy Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup – Best Easy Recipe

cozy homestyle chicken noodle soup - featured image

This cozy homestyle chicken noodle soup is the ultimate comfort food, made with simple ingredients and a secret parmesan rind trick for deep, savory flavor. Ready in about 45 minutes, it’s perfect for cold nights or when you need a hug in a bowl.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds (about 1/4 inch thick)
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced (include the leaves)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 parmesan rind
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 2 tablespoons fresh)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken)
  • 8 ounces wide egg noodles (or gluten-free pasta)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Fresh dill for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the carrots still have a little bite. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Add the parmesan rind, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried dill. Stir and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
  3. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. Nestle them into the simmering broth. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender enough to shred.
  4. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board. Let rest for a couple of minutes, then shred with two forks.
  5. While the chicken rests, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions, subtracting 1 minute from the cooking time. Drain and toss with a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.
  6. Remove the parmesan rind and bay leaves from the pot. Return the shredded chicken to the broth. Add the cooked noodles and stir gently. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve immediately, ladled into bowls and garnished with fresh dill if desired.

Notes

Cook noodles separately to avoid them absorbing too much broth and becoming mushy. Store broth and noodles separately in the refrigerator for best leftovers. The parmesan rind adds umami richness without making the soup taste cheesy. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta or rice. For a dairy-free version, omit the parmesan rind.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken noodle soup, homestyle soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, chicken soup, homemade soup, cozy soup