Chicken noodle soup. Just the name conjures images of warmth, comfort, and home. It’s the quintessential remedy for colds, a comforting meal on a chilly day, and a dish that brings back nostalgic memories for many. But forget the canned versions – truly homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Food is in a league of its own. This isn’t just soup; it’s a culinary experience, especially when you take the time to craft it from scratch. My mom’s recipe elevates this classic to gourmet levels, focusing on rich homemade stock and tender egg noodles that are surprisingly simple to make. Prepare to discover the BEST chicken noodle soup food you’ve ever tasted!
In my house, the announcement of homemade chicken noodle soup food on the menu is met with genuine excitement. It’s a family favorite for good reason – the flavor is simply irresistible! Beyond my family, this recipe has become my go-to offering for friends and neighbors, particularly during the colder months. Paired with a rustic loaf of artisan bread, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering warmth and nourishment in every spoonful. This soup isn’t just food; it’s a gesture of care and comfort.
Choosing Your Noodles for Chicken Noodle Soup Food
While my mother’s recipe traditionally calls for homemade egg noodles, the beauty of chicken noodle soup food lies in its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different noodle types to find your perfect bowl.
- Homemade Egg Noodles: For the ultimate homemade experience, egg noodles are the classic choice. Made from simple ingredients like flour, salt, milk, and eggs, they come together in minutes and offer a tender, satisfying texture that perfectly complements the soup.
- Farfalle Pasta: If you’re looking for a visually appealing and fun noodle, farfalle (bow-tie pasta) works wonderfully. Its shape holds the broth beautifully and adds a playful element to your soup.
- Elbow Macaroni: A pantry staple, elbow macaroni is a reliable and comforting choice. Its small size and curved shape make it ideal for capturing the flavorful broth.
- Rotini: The spirals of rotini pasta add a delightful texture to chicken noodle soup food. They also hold onto the broth well, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
The choice of noodle ultimately depends on your preference and what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to try different varieties to discover your favorite combination for chicken noodle soup food.
The Foundation: Homemade Chicken Stock for Chicken Noodle Soup Food
When it comes to chicken noodle soup food, the stock is the unsung hero. While store-bought stock is convenient, homemade chicken stock truly elevates the dish to another level. And the secret to incredibly flavorful and easy homemade stock? A rotisserie chicken.
Using a rotisserie chicken is a game-changer. You get tender, cooked chicken meat for your soup, and the leftover carcass and bones become the base for a rich, flavorful broth. Making your own chicken stock might sound intimidating, but it’s surprisingly simple and the depth of flavor it adds to your chicken noodle soup food is undeniable. It transforms a simple soup into something truly extraordinary.
Crafting Your Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Food: Step-by-Step
Let’s walk through the process of making this comforting and delicious chicken noodle soup food from scratch.
1. Prepare Homemade Chicken Stock (Ideally Ahead of Time)
Start by making your homemade chicken stock. Using a rotisserie chicken is the easiest method. Alternatively, if you’re short on time, choose a high-quality store-bought chicken stock. However, for the best chicken noodle soup food experience, homemade stock is highly recommended.
2. Sauté the Aromatic Vegetables
In a large stock pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add diced celery and carrots and sauté for about 3 minutes, until they begin to soften and release their fragrance. Next, add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. This step builds a foundational layer of flavor for your chicken noodle soup food.
3. Build the Flavorful Broth
Pour in your chicken stock (homemade or store-bought) into the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Season generously with salt, remembering to taste as you go – it’s crucial to season the broth properly. Add freshly ground black pepper and a delicate pinch of dried rosemary, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. These herbs add subtle warmth and complexity to the chicken noodle soup food. For an even richer flavor, consider adding a small spoonful of “better than bouillon” chicken base or chicken bouillon powder, adjusting to your taste.
4. Add Noodles and Cook to Perfection
Bring the broth to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add your noodles. If using uncooked homemade egg noodles, add them directly to the boiling broth. For dry store-bought pasta, add it now as well. Cook until the noodles are just al dente, tender but with a slight bite. Be vigilant, especially with store-bought noodles, as overcooking will lead to mushy soup. As soon as the noodles are barely tender, remove the pot from the heat. The residual heat will continue to cook them to perfect tenderness.
5. Incorporate the Chicken and Final Seasoning
Finally, add the cooked chicken meat from your rotisserie chicken to the soup. Stir gently to combine and heat through. Taste the broth one last time and adjust seasonings as needed. This is your opportunity to perfect the flavor profile of your chicken noodle soup food.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Ladle your homemade chicken noodle soup food into bowls and serve immediately. For a truly comforting meal, pair it with crusty no-knead bread or homemade rolls. If you enjoy this recipe, you might also want to explore my chicken and dumpling soup for another comforting variation!
The Health Perks of Chicken Noodle Soup Food
Beyond its comforting taste, chicken noodle soup food offers genuine health benefits, especially when homemade. Compared to many store-bought versions that are often high in sodium and artificial additives, homemade chicken noodle soup is a nutritional powerhouse.
Chicken broth or stock, particularly when homemade, is packed with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, making it incredibly soothing and restorative for the body. Even if you opt for store-bought broth and noodles, homemade chicken noodle soup food is still a significantly healthier choice than processed alternatives. It’s a wholesome and nourishing meal that’s good for both your body and soul.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips for Chicken Noodle Soup Food
Making Ahead: This chicken noodle soup food is an excellent make-ahead dish, especially when using homemade egg noodles. Unlike store-bought noodles that can become soggy, homemade egg noodles hold their texture beautifully, even when reheated. If you prefer using regular store-bought noodles, I recommend preparing the broth (steps 1-2) in advance. Then, on the day you plan to serve, simply boil the broth, cook the noodles, and add the chicken.
Storage: Store leftover chicken noodle soup food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, depending on the freshness of the chicken.
Freezing: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or gently reheat over medium heat on the stovetop. If you’ve used store-bought noodles, consider slightly undercooking them before freezing to prevent them from becoming mushy upon reheating.
Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yields: 8 servings
Calories: 206 per serving
Ingredients:
For the Soup:
- 1/2 Tablespoon butter
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3-4 large carrots, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 10 cups chicken stock or broth (preferably homemade)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 batch homemade egg noodles (or 4 cups dry egg noodles, farfalle, or other bite-size pasta)
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, cooked and shredded
- 1 teaspoon “better than bouillon” chicken base (optional), or chicken bouillon granules
Equipment:
- Large stock pot
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add celery and carrots and sauté for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken stock and season with rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Taste and add “better than bouillon” or chicken bouillon granules if desired.
- Bring broth to a boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente.
- If using store-bought noodles, be careful not to overcook. Remove pot from heat as soon as noodles are just tender.
- Add rotisserie chicken and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes:
- Stock: Homemade chicken stock is highly recommended for the best flavor. Use a rotisserie chicken carcass for easy homemade stock. Store-bought broth can be enhanced with “Better than Bullion” chicken base.
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is convenient. Alternatively, use roasted chicken or cook raw chicken (thighs, breasts, or tenders) in the boiling broth before adding noodles, cooking for about 5 minutes.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free egg noodles or gluten-free all-purpose flour for homemade egg noodles.
- Make Ahead: Prepare broth in advance and add noodles and chicken on the day of serving if using store-bought noodles. Homemade egg noodles hold up well for make-ahead soup.
- Freezing: Cool soup completely before freezing. Undercook store-bought noodles slightly before freezing to prevent mushiness upon reheating.
Enjoy crafting and savoring this ultimate homemade chicken noodle soup food!
