Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Here’s a simple, delicious homemade chicken noodle soup recipe that will warm you up and soothe your soul!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 8 cups chicken broth (or stock)
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 1 ½ cups egg noodles (or any pasta you prefer)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, but adds a nice freshness)
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare the base:
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic and vegetables:
   Stir in the garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Add the broth:
   Pour in the chicken broth, and add the bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
4. Simmer:
   Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
5. Cook the noodles:
   Add the egg noodles and cooked chicken to the soup. Continue to simmer for another 8-10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
6. Adjust seasonings:
   Taste the soup and adjust the salt, pepper, or thyme to your liking. You can also add a bit of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
7. Serve:
   Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with chopped parsley (optional), and enjoy!

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Tips:

• Chicken: Use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken to save time, or cook and shred your own.
• Noodles: If you want the noodles to remain firm, you can cook them separately and add them to the soup when serving. This prevents the noodles from getting too soft and mushy.
• Storage: This soup keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days, and you can also freeze it for up to 3 months!

Enjoy your cozy bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup!