If you are craving a comforting bowl of warmth that feels like a hug in a bowl, you have to try this Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. It effortlessly combines tender shredded chicken, hearty noodles, and vibrant vegetables all simmered in a rich, velvety broth that’s been flavored with fragrant herbs and finished with a splash of creamy goodness. It’s the perfect dish to cozy up with any day of the year, delivering both nostalgia and a burst of wholesome flavors that truly satisfy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, fresh ingredients is the key to making this soup shine. Each component plays a vital role in layering flavors, adding texture, or contributing subtle pops of color — making sure every spoonful is delightful.
- Unsalted butter: Helps sauté the veggies creating a flavorful, golden base without overpowering the soup.
- Yellow onion: Adds a mild sweetness and aromatic depth that builds the soup’s character.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness, a pop of brilliant orange, and a satisfying bite.
- Celery: Lends a subtle earthiness and crunch to balance the creamy texture.
- Garlic cloves: Infuse a punch of savory warmth and enhance overall flavor complexity.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the broth just enough to create that luscious creamy consistency.
- Salt and black pepper: The essential seasonings that elevate every ingredient’s taste.
- Dried thyme and oregano: Earthy herbs that add a lovely garden freshness and aromatic notes.
- Chicken broth: The heart of the soup that brings savory, comforting liquid richness — reduced sodium recommended to control saltiness.
- Medium potato: Adds subtle creaminess and texture while helping thicken the soup naturally.
- Cooked chicken: Provides protein and tender meatiness for a truly satisfying bite.
- Half-and-half or whole milk: Creates the recipe’s signature creamy finish with a silky mouthfeel.
- Wide egg noodles: Chewy, tender, and perfect for soaking up all that lovely broth flavor.
- Fresh thyme leaves (optional): A beautiful garnish that adds brightness and a touch of elegance before serving.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics
Start by melting the butter in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cooking these vegetables until they soften creates the foundational flavor of this soup. Stir occasionally for about five minutes, letting the aroma fill your kitchen and your anticipation grow.
Step 2: Build the Base with Flour and Herbs
Sprinkle in the flour, salt, freshly ground pepper, thyme, and oregano. Stir everything continuously for around two minutes. This step toasts the flour just enough to get a nutty flavor, which not only enriches the soup but also ensures it thickens beautifully. The herbs release their essence here, making the whole pot smell incredibly inviting.
Step 3: Add Broth and Potato, Then Simmer
Pour in the chicken broth and toss in the diced potato. Give it a quick stir and crank up the heat to medium-high. Let the soup come to a vigorous boil, then allow it to boil undisturbed for three minutes. After that, lower the heat to medium-low and partially cover the pot. Let the soup simmer gently for about 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender. This slow simmer fully develops flavor and softens the potatoes just right.
Step 4: Stir in Chicken, Dairy, and Noodles
Add your cooked chicken along with the half-and-half or milk. Toss in the uncooked egg noodles and allow the soup to cook for 10 minutes, or until the noodles are perfectly tender and the soup reaches a creamy thickness. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you want to add more salt or pepper. This final step turns the hearty broth into the ultimate creamy, soul-warming bowl of soup.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh thyme leaves make a stunning garnish for your Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. They add an herbaceous brightness and a touch of color that makes every bowl feel special. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or a swirl of cream can also elevate it perfectly.
Side Dishes
This soup is fantastic on its own, but pairing it with some warm, crusty bread or buttery garlic toast makes it even more comforting. A crisp side salad also works beautifully to balance out the creamy richness, making your meal feel complete but not too heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your soup in charming bowls or rustic mugs for an inviting presentation. You can also ladle it into bread bowls for an adorable, edible container that doubles down on cozy vibes. Garnishing with finely chopped fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika can turn your soup into a pretty centerpiece for casual gatherings or family dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just be aware that the noodles and potatoes will absorb some liquid overnight, thickening the soup.
Freezing
Freezing this soup is a bit tricky because the noodles and potatoes can become mushy after thawing. To avoid this, freeze the broth with chicken and vegetables but keep the noodles separate. When reheating, cook fresh noodles and add them in, or reheat the soup and toss in the noodles just before serving.
Reheating
To reheat your soup, warm it gently on the stove over medium heat until heated through. If it’s too thick, add a little chicken broth or milk to bring back that perfect creamy texture. Stir often and taste to adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
FAQs
Can I use leftover chicken for this soup?
Absolutely! Leftover cooked chicken works wonderfully in this Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. It’s a fantastic way to repurpose chicken and saves time while still maintaining the soup’s rich, comforting flavors.
What can I substitute for half-and-half?
If you don’t have half-and-half on hand, whole milk or a mix of milk and cream makes a great substitute. For a lighter option, you can also use milk alone, but keep in mind the soup might be slightly less indulgent.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
Yes, you can! Use gluten-free all-purpose flour or cornstarch to thicken the soup, and swap the egg noodles for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Just keep an eye on cooking times as these pastas vary.
How do I prevent the noodles from getting mushy?
Cook the noodles within the soup at the last step, and don’t overcook them. Alternatively, cook noodles separately and add them right before serving or keep them aside to add as needed to prevent mushiness.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
The broth and chicken freeze well, but noodles and potatoes tend to change texture when frozen. Consider freezing the soup and storing cooked noodles separately, then combine them when reheating for the best results.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a homemade bowl of Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe — it comforts, nourishes, and feels like a little moment of joy during your day. I hope you dive right into this recipe and enjoy every creamy, flavorful spoonful. Trust me, once you make it, it’ll become your go-to soup for all seasons and moods.
PrintCreamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
This creamy chicken noodle soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. Made with fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and wide egg noodles in a flavorful chicken broth thickened with a touch of flour and enriched with half-and-half or whole milk, this soup offers a rich, satisfying meal. The addition of herbs like thyme and oregano adds aromatic depth, while the potatoes provide extra texture and substance, making it a perfect family-friendly recipe that can be easily reheated and enjoyed throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 Tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (100g) chopped yellow onion (1/2 of a large onion)
- 1 cup (120g) sliced or diced carrots (1–2 large carrots or a handful of baby carrots)
- 1 cup (120g) sliced or diced celery (2–3 stalks)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium potato, peeled and diced (around 1 and 1/2 cups or 280g)
Spices & Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
Liquids & Dairy
- 8 cups (1.92 liters) chicken broth (reduced sodium recommended)
- 1 cup (240ml) half-and-half or whole milk
Other Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 cups (about 250g) shredded or chopped cooked chicken
- 3–4 cups (about 112-150g) uncooked wide egg noodles (or other dry pasta)
Optional Garnish
- Fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven (4-quart or larger) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add Flour and Seasonings: Stir in the all-purpose flour, salt, fresh ground pepper, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Cook this mixture for 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste and to meld the herbs with the vegetables.
- Add Broth and Potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced potato. Stir everything briefly, then raise the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil without stirring. Let it boil uncovered for 3 minutes.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and partially cover the pot. Let the soup simmer gently for 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Taste at this stage and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Cook with Chicken, Milk, and Noodles: Add the shredded cooked chicken, half-and-half or whole milk, and uncooked wide egg noodles. Cook for about 10 minutes until the noodles are tender and the soup thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Final Taste and Serve: Taste the soup again and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the soup warm, garnished with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
- Store and Reheat: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to one week. To reheat, pour soup into a pot over medium heat and cook until warmed through. Add extra chicken broth if the soup has thickened too much after refrigeration.
Notes
- Using reduced sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness of the soup.
- Wide egg noodles can be substituted with other types of pasta, but cooking times may vary slightly.
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried for a brighter flavor. Double the amount for fresh herbs as indicated.
- For a richer soup, use half-and-half instead of whole milk. For a lighter version, you may use whole milk or a milk alternative, though it will change the creaminess.
- Since the soup thickens as it cools, adding additional chicken broth while reheating will bring it back to desired consistency.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated and can be frozen, but texture of potatoes and noodles may change slightly after freezing.