Description
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender chicken, soft egg noodles, and a rich creamy broth. Perfect for warming up on cold days, this classic soup blends fresh vegetables, herbs, and a silky texture that brings nourishment and satisfaction in every spoonful. Ideal for family meals, quick weeknight dinners, or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 6 oz egg noodles
Broth & Dairy
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tbsp butter
Vegetables
- 1 cup carrots, finely diced
- 1 cup celery, finely diced
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Thickener
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables and Chicken: Start by finely dicing carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté them in butter over medium heat until softened and fragrant. Add bite-sized pieces of chicken and cook until no longer pink on the outside.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and chicken, stirring constantly to cook out the raw flavor. This roux will thicken the soup, helping achieve that luscious creamy texture.
- Add the Broth: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it simmer so flavors meld and the soup thickens.
- Cook the Noodles: Add egg noodles to the simmering soup and cook according to package instructions until tender but still firm. Avoid overcooking to hold the perfect bite.
- Stir in Cream and Seasonings: Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Let it warm through without boiling to keep the cream from curdling.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken for more flavor by cooking the chicken with bones in the broth.
- Don’t overcook noodles; add them near the end to maintain texture and prevent mushiness.
- Temper the cream by slowly incorporating it into hot soup while stirring to avoid curdling.
- Fresh herbs added at the end provide a bright, fresh finish.
- Adjust thickness by adding a splash of broth or cream if the soup becomes too thick.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Creamy chicken noodle soup, comfort food, easy soup, hearty soup, family recipe, creamy soup, chicken soup, warm soup