Easy Chicken Soup Recipe: Simple Homemade Comfort in 30 Minutes

The easiest homemade chicken soup recipe requires just 7 basic ingredients: 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 cup egg noodles. Simmer for 20 minutes for a comforting, nourishing soup ready in under 30 minutes. This beginner-friendly recipe delivers rich flavor without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

The Perfect Easy Chicken Soup for Busy Days

When you need comforting, nourishing food without spending hours in the kitchen, this straightforward chicken soup recipe delivers. Unlike complicated versions requiring homemade stock or advanced techniques, this approach uses accessible ingredients while maintaining authentic flavor. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility—you can adapt it based on what's in your pantry while still achieving that classic, soul-soothing chicken soup experience.

Why This Easy Chicken Soup Recipe Works

This recipe succeeds where others fail by focusing on essential elements that create depth of flavor without complexity. The combination of sautéed aromatics (onion, celery, and carrots—known as mirepoix in culinary terms) builds a flavor foundation that transforms simple ingredients into something special. Using boneless chicken breasts ensures quick cooking without compromising tenderness, while egg noodles provide satisfying texture without requiring precise timing.

Many "easy" chicken soup recipes cut corners by skipping the crucial step of sautéing vegetables first, resulting in flat-tasting broth. This version maintains that professional touch while keeping preparation time under 10 minutes. The 20-minute simmer allows flavors to meld perfectly without demanding your constant attention.

Simple Chicken Soup Ingredients List

One reason this recipe qualifies as truly easy is its reliance on common pantry staples. You likely already have most ingredients on hand:

Ingredient	Amount	Substitution Options
Boneless chicken breasts	1 pound	Rotisserie chicken (add at end), chicken thighs
Chicken broth	4 cups	Low-sodium broth, homemade stock
Carrots	2 medium	Parsnips, sweet potato (for variation)
Celery	2 stalks	Fennel bulb (for different flavor profile)
Yellow onion	1 medium	Shallots, leeks
Garlic cloves	2	1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Egg noodles	1 cup	Rice, orzo, or small pasta shapes

Step-by-Step Easy Chicken Soup Instructions

Follow these simple steps for foolproof chicken soup every time. Total hands-on time: 10 minutes. Total cooking time: 30 minutes.

Sauté the aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften but don't brown.
Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to burn it.
Pour in broth: Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook chicken: Add chicken breasts, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Shred chicken: Remove chicken and shred with two forks, then return to pot.
Add noodles: Stir in egg noodles and simmer for 8-10 minutes until tender.
Season: Add salt, pepper, and optional fresh herbs like parsley or dill to taste.

Pro Tips for the Best Easy Chicken Soup

These simple techniques elevate your basic chicken soup from good to exceptional without adding complexity:

Don't rush the sauté: Taking 5-7 minutes to properly soften vegetables builds flavor depth that shortcuts can't match
Use room temperature chicken: Cold chicken from the fridge lowers the broth temperature too much, affecting cooking time
Resist overcooking noodles: Egg noodles continue cooking off-heat, so remove soup from burner when they're just al dente
Add acid at the end: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens flavors remarkably
Skim fat if desired: For clearer broth, skim foam during initial simmer with a spoon

Simple Variations for Your Easy Chicken Soup

Once you've mastered the basic recipe, these quick modifications keep your chicken soup interesting:

Immune-boosting version: Add 1 tablespoon grated ginger and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar during simmering
Herb-infused: Toss in a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary while soup simmers, removing before serving
Creamy adaptation: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream at the end for a richer texture
Vegetable-packed: Add 1 cup frozen peas or chopped spinach during the last 5 minutes
Gluten-free option: Replace egg noodles with rice or gluten-free pasta

Storing and Reheating Your Homemade Chicken Soup

This easy chicken soup recipe makes excellent leftovers. Proper storage maintains quality and flavor:

Refrigeration: Cool completely and store in airtight container for up to 4 days
Freezing: Freeze without noodles (they become mushy) for up to 3 months. Add fresh noodles when reheating
Reheating: Warm gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed. Avoid boiling to preserve texture
Reviving leftovers: Add fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon to refresh flavors in stored soup

Why This Recipe Is Perfect for Beginners

Many aspiring home cooks avoid making chicken soup because they believe it requires advanced skills or hours of preparation. This recipe disproves that myth by focusing on achievable techniques with clear guidance. The straightforward method builds confidence through small successes—properly sautéed vegetables, perfectly cooked chicken, and well-timed noodle addition all provide visible markers of progress.

Unlike recipes demanding precise measurements or obscure ingredients, this approach embraces flexibility. Forgot an ingredient? No problem. Short on time? You can safely reduce simmering time slightly. This forgiving nature makes it ideal for developing kitchen intuition while producing consistently good results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this easy chicken soup recipe without chicken broth?

Yes, you can substitute water for chicken broth if necessary, but add 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes or 1 tablespoon soy sauce per cup of water to maintain flavor depth. For best results with water, simmer the chicken bones (if using bone-in) for 15 minutes before adding other ingredients to create instant stock.

How do I prevent my chicken from becoming dry in soup?

Remove chicken from broth as soon as it reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature—typically 15 minutes for boneless breasts. Overcooking is the main cause of dry chicken. Shredding immediately after cooking helps retain moisture better than leaving it whole in the soup.

Can I prepare this easy homemade chicken soup recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare the soup base (broth and vegetables) up to 2 days ahead, storing separately from cooked chicken and noodles. When ready to serve, reheat base, add shredded chicken and cook noodles fresh for best texture. This prevents noodles from becoming mushy during storage.

What's the quickest way to chop vegetables for chicken soup?

Use a food processor with the pulse function for uniform, quick chopping—about 10-15 pulses for onions and carrots. Alternatively, purchase pre-chopped mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery mix) from your grocery store's produce section for true weeknight efficiency.

How can I make my easy chicken soup recipe more flavorful without adding complexity?

Add one or more of these simple flavor boosters: a Parmesan rind while simmering, 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like thyme or oregano), or a splash of white wine when sautéing vegetables. A small amount of umami-rich ingredients like tomato paste (1 tablespoon) or soy sauce (1 teaspoon) also deepens flavor significantly without complicating the recipe.