Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup

You could spend ages developing that deep, rich, savory flavor that makes the perfect base for a classic chicken noodle soup—but with a few time-saving steps (and a little help from Progresso™ Chicken Broth), you’ll get the same delicious results in a fraction of the time!

Brown the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper, then browning to add richness and depth to the recipe. You’ll know your chicken is cooked just right when it turns golden brown on the outside and is at the correct temperature on a meat thermometer.

Cook the Vegetables

Slightly softening your veggies with a quick sauté will bring out their aromatic qualities. Add butter, onions, carrots, and celery to a pan and cook until they become tender and translucent.

Add the Broth and Noodles

Pour in your broth and when it begins to bubble, add the egg noodles.Then, let all those delicious ingredients simmer until your noodles are tender.

It’s hard to believe a dish so comforting could be so simple to make. Check out the full recipe below to see for yourself!

Chicken Noodle Soup Ingredients

It’s impressive that chicken noodle soup gets all of its amazing flavor from just a few simple ingredients. But, when they come together, it’s like magic in a bowl!

Chicken: Tender, tasty, and filling, boneless, skinless chicken breasts add heartiness to this classic homestyle dish. You can use chicken thighs instead, if you prefer the richer flavor of dark meat. Or for the most decadent flavor, you can use a full bird. It takes a little extra effort to prepare, but the results are absolutely amazing.

Vegetables: A classic blend of onion, carrots, and celery brings flavor, as well as an always-welcome extra helping of veggies. Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like potatoes or peas to add a new flavor element to your dish.

Broth: Though it may not be the star of the show, chicken broth is working hard behind the scenes—giving a deliciously warm and savory base for all this recipe’s ingredients.

Noodles: Tender and deliciously filling, egg noodles are what make this chicken noodle soup so hearty and satisfying. They hold their own without overpowering, making them the perfect partner for all the other incredible flavors.

What Type of Noodles Are Best for This Dish?

While this classic Chicken Noodle Soup recipe calls for medium egg noodles, you can change things up to add your own signature spin. Try elbow macaroni for a different shape and texture. Or you can even add fettuccine noodles—just break them up to a size small enough to fit on a soup spoon. For an extra-special touch, you can add homemade pasta to make this dish even more comforting.

Whatever pasta you choose, note the cooking instructions on the package. Egg noodles tend to cook a bit more quickly than other varieties of pasta, so adjust your cooking times accordingly.

Storing Leftover Chicken Noodle Soup

One of the best parts of making a big pot of chicken noodle soup? The leftovers! Store any extra chicken noodle soup properly so you can enjoy it anytime you need an extra cozy moment in your day.

Leftover chicken noodle soup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days. You can also use individually sized containers if you’d like to pre-portion your soup for a quick meal. Allow the soup to cool completely before placing it in the fridge. Leftover chicken noodle soup can even be frozen for 3-6 months. Use an airtight container for freezing, leaving enough room for the soup to expand as it freezes. If you’re short on freezer space, ladle cooled soup into a gallon-size freezer bag. Leave a bit of extra space, then let out excess air and seal. Date and label your soup before freezing so you know it will be fresh when you’re ready to enjoy.