Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is the ultimate comforting dish, offering a rich and velvety twist on a classic favorite. Blending tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and egg noodles in a smooth creamy broth, this soup is nourishing and indulgent, perfect for chilly nights or whenever you crave a heartwarming meal.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be adapted to Gluten Free and Dairy Free
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into chunks
Pasta
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cream or milk
Fats & Thickeners
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop carrots, celery, onion, and garlic into bite-sized pieces. Cut the chicken into manageable chunks or thin strips to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, stirring occasionally until the vegetables soften and release their fragrance, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are just browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, locking in moisture and flavor.
- Create the Roux: Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste, forming a light roux that will thicken the soup.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes to meld flavors and cook the chicken thoroughly.
- Stir in Cream and Noodles: Pour in the cream and add egg noodles. Cook just until noodles are tender but not mushy, about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep everything well combined.
- Season and Garnish: Stir in fresh thyme and parsley. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting richness.
Notes
- Use homemade chicken broth if possible for richer flavor.
- Add noodles last and do not overcook to prevent sogginess.
- Cook roux just enough to remove raw flour taste without browning.
- Substitute half the cream with whole milk for a lighter soup.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to maintain vibrant flavor.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat gently with added broth or water if too thick.
- Freeze broth and chicken separately without noodles to avoid mushiness; add fresh noodles when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Creamy chicken noodle soup, comfort food, creamy soup, chicken soup, easy dinner, creamy chicken soup recipe