Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe (Homemade From Scratch)

Grandma’s chicken noodle soup recipe is the perfect antidote to whatever ails you. 

Loaded with egg noodles and veggies swimming in a delicious broth, it’s a classic dish everyone adores.

Something about the combo of tender chicken and noodles with hearty veggies is so comforting. 

And this recipe tastes like something straight out of your grandma’s kitchen. 

There are no gimmicks and no fancy cooking methods. It’s just chicken noodle soup at its finest. 

Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe 

We all know that chicken noodle soup is a nutritional powerhouse. 

The chicken provides a good dose of protein, it’s easy to digest, and the soup base helps keep you hydrated. 

And this recipe for grandma’s chicken noodle soup checks all the comfort food boxes. 

It pairs tender chicken, chewy noodles, and a boatload of veggies that soothe your spirit. Plus, it will help you reach the other side of the cold or flu!

Grandma knows what she’s doing!

Ingredients 

A few pantry staples are all you need for this fantastic recipe. 

• Wide egg noodles. They’re a must in chicken noodle soup! Wide egg noodles will help soak up all that tasty broth for the ultimate flavor. 

• Cooked chicken meat. Any chicken will do in this recipe. You can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. 

• Vegetable oil. Adding oil to your noodle water will prevent the noodles from sticking together. 

• Chicken broth. Chicken broth helps develop the flavors of this soup for an intense burst of chicken flavors. Chicken stock is always best, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute vegetable broth. 

• Salt & Pepper. Always taste as you go. Your chicken stock might be a little salty, so you might not need a lot of extra salt.  

• Seasoning. I like a mix of thyme, rosemary, sage, and bay leaves. For a shortcut, use poultry seasoning.

• Celery & Carrots. Add a beautiful earthy flavor and color.

• Onions & Garlic. For a well-rounded taste.

How to Make Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup 

Bust out that giant stock pot. You’ll need it. Here’s a quick rundown on how to make grandma’s chicken noodle soup. 

1. WARM the oil and butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

2. ADD the onion, carrot, and celery, cooking until soft, stirring often.

3. STIR in the garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

4. ADD the chicken, chicken broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked and tender.

5. COOK the egg noodles in the broth, stirring often, until al dente.

6. SEASON with salt and pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaves.

7. GARNISH with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Chicken Noodle Soup 

Here are a few quick tips to ensure your chicken noodle soup is on par with grandma’s. 

• Keep your veggies crispy. If you like a little extra vegetable crunch, chop them into larger pieces or add them later in the cooking.

• Use bone-in chicken. When soaked in soup, chicken with the bone adds an extra flavor boost. Just be sure you remove all the bones before serving!

• Always save the noodles for last. This is, hands down, the most crucial step. If you add them with the chicken, they’ll go mushy.

• Use a Dutch oven. Dutch ovens make a big difference when making soup. Their thick walls help to retain heat and moisture, which creates a more flavorful soup. 

Variations 

Want to one-up grandma? Check out some fantastic variations to make your chicken noodle soup even better!

• Add more veggies. There’s no rule that chicken noodle soup only has celery and onion. You can add whatever veggies you like, from broccoli to spinach. Plus, more veggies boost the nutritional value!

• Make it creamy. Add heavy cream for a creamy chicken noodle soup (think decadent potato soup). Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of heavy cream or half and half before adding the chicken. 

• Bring on the umami flavors. For an Asian twist on an American classic, add a drizzle of sesame oil and fish sauce. It tastes amazing!

What to Serve with Chicken Noodle Soup 

Wondering what to serve with this chicken noodle soup? Check out some of these classic side dishes. 

• Cornbread. Sweet cornbread and savory chicken noodle soup are a heavenly match. And you can whip up this amazingly moist cornbread while your soup cooks on the stovetop. 

• Grilled Cheese. Is there anything better than drinking grilled cheese in soup? It’s so gooey and cheesy, and it comes together in a snap. 

• Texas Roadhouse rolls. These rolls are like pillowy, yeasty clouds. And they’re perfect with this chicken noodle soup. They take a few extra steps, but trust me, they’re worth the effort. 

• Crackers. Saltine crackers and chicken noodle soup scream ‘sick day.’ Saltine crackers are easy to digest and perfect when you’re sick. Plus, they add a salty something extra to this fantastic soup. 

Storing, Freezing, & Make-Ahead Tips 

Grandma’s chicken noodle soup makes a giant pot, so there will be leftovers! And that’s okay because these leftovers reheat (and freeze!) incredibly well. 

To Store: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. 

To Freeze: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container – without the noodles! – and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge and add fresh noodles to serve.