Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe (Budget-Friendly & From Scratch!)

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There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup to warm your soul on a chilly evening. This classic recipe is one of the best dinner ideas for family meals, offering comfort, nutrition, and incredible flavor all for under $11! Whether you’re searching for healthy dinner ideas, quick dinner ideas, or cheap dinners for a family, this from-scratch soup checks every box.

Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Families

When you need easy weeknight dinners that don’t sacrifice taste, this Chicken Noodle Soup delivers. It’s genuinely one of those lazy dinners that feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen. The secret? Simmering chicken breasts directly in the broth infuses deep, rich flavor while the vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness. Kids absolutely love this soup, making it perfect for kid friendly dinners, and adults appreciate the wholesome ingredients and budget-friendly price tag.​

Essential Kitchen Equipment

Before you begin, gather these tools to make your cooking process smooth and efficient. Having the right kitchen utensils makes all the difference when preparing homemade soups.​

Equipment	Purpose
Large pot	Essential for simmering soup
Cutting board	For prepping vegetables
Chef’s knife	Dicing onions, celery, carrots
Measuring cups and spoons	Accurate ingredient portions
Mixing bowls	Organizing prepped ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. The total cost comes to approximately $10.90, making it one of the most economical supper ideas around.​

Vegetables & Aromatics

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Yellow onion	1 medium	Adds sweet, savory base
Garlic cloves	3	Aromatic depth
Carrots	4	Sweetness and color
Celery ribs	2	Classic soup flavor
Fresh parsley	1 Tbsp	Fresh finishing touch

Proteins & Liquids

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chicken breasts	2 (boneless, skinless)	Becomes tender and shreddable
Chicken broth	8 cups	Creates savory base
Egg noodles	6 oz. uncooked	Traditional choice

Seasonings

Ingredient	Amount
Olive oil	2 Tbsp
Dried basil	1 tsp
Dried thyme	½ tsp
Bay leaf	1
Black pepper	¼ tsp (freshly cracked)
Salt	1-3 tsp (divided)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Work (10 Minutes)

Start by gathering all your ingredients on your cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, dice the yellow onion into small, uniform pieces. Mince the three garlic cloves finely to release maximum flavor. Peel and dice the four carrots into bite-sized rounds or half-moons. Dice the celery ribs similarly. Mince the fresh parsley and set it aside for garnishing at the end.​

Building the Flavor Base (6 Minutes)

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery this classic combination is called mirepoix and forms the aromatic foundation of countless soups. Cook the vegetables for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’ve softened and the onion becomes translucent. The vegetables should be tender but not browned.​

Layering the Aromatics (5 Minutes)

Add the minced garlic, dried basil, dried thyme, bay leaf, freshly cracked black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt to your pot. Stir everything together and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. This step allows the dried herbs to bloom and release their essential oils, creating a more complex and flavorful broth.​

Simmering the Chicken (1 Hour)

Place the two chicken breasts directly into the pot and pour in all 8 cups of chicken broth. The liquid should completely cover the chicken. Cover your pot with a lid, increase the heat to high, and bring everything to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for one full hour.​

Important tip: Make sure the pot continues to simmer throughout the entire hour with gentle bubbles breaking the surface. If you turn the heat too low and the soup stops bubbling, the chicken won’t become tender enough to shred easily.​

Shredding the Chicken

After an hour of simmering, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot using tongs or a large spoon. Place them in a mixing bowl and use two forks to pull the meat apart into shreds. The chicken should be incredibly tender and fall apart with minimal effort.​

While the chicken is out, taste the broth and season with additional salt if needed. Start with one teaspoon and adjust to your preference. Keep in mind that if you used bouillon to make your broth, it may already contain plenty of salt.​

Cooking the Noodles (7 Minutes)

Turn the heat back up to high and bring the soup to a boil once again. Add the 6 ounces of uncooked egg noodles directly to the boiling broth. Cook the noodles until they’re tender, which typically takes about 7 minutes, but check your package directions. Egg noodles are the traditional choice because they become wonderfully tender and fluffy while absorbing all the delicious broth flavors.​

Final Assembly

Return all the shredded chicken to the pot and stir gently to combine. The chicken will warm through quickly in the hot soup. Taste once more and add additional salt if necessary. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh minced parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.​

Pro Tips for Perfect Soup

Don’t skip the simmer: That full hour of gentle simmering is crucial for developing deep flavor and ensuring tender, shreddable chicken.​

Season in layers: Adding salt at different stages helps build balanced flavor throughout the soup rather than just on the surface.​

Fresh herbs matter: While dried basil and thyme work beautifully during cooking, fresh parsley at the end adds brightness that dried herbs can’t match.​

Cook noodles al dente: If you plan to store leftovers, slightly undercook the noodles as they’ll continue to absorb liquid and soften in the refrigerator.​

Storage and Meal Prep

This soup makes excellent leftovers and is perfect for meal planning as part of your dinner ideas for family. Store cooled soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best results, store the noodles separately if possible, as they’ll continue to absorb broth and may become mushy.​

To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup has thickened too much.​

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Among all the dinner dishes you could make, this Chicken Noodle Soup truly embodies comfort food at its finest. It’s budget-friendly enough to count as one of your go-to cheap dinners for a family, yet tastes like you spent hours perfecting it. The aroma that fills your kitchen as it simmers is absolutely heavenly.​

This recipe proves that healthy dinner ideas don’t have to be complicated or expensive. With wholesome vegetables, lean protein, and a savory broth base, you’re getting nutrition along with incredible taste. It’s also endlessly adaptable add more vegetables, swap in different herbs, or use whatever noodles you have on hand.​

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs add even more flavor to the broth. Just adjust the simmering time slightly and remove the bones before shredding.​

How can I make this soup in less time?

Use a rotisserie chicken and store-bought broth to cut the cooking time significantly. You’ll sacrifice some depth of flavor but still enjoy a delicious quick dinner.​

What other noodles work well?

While egg noodles are traditional, you can use rotini, fusilli, farfalle, or any bite-sized pasta you prefer. Just follow the package cooking instructions.​

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, but freeze it without the noodles for best results. Noodles don’t freeze well and become mushy when thawed. Add freshly cooked noodles when reheating.​

How do I make this soup more filling?

Add extra vegetables like potatoes, parsnips, or peas. You can also increase the amount of chicken or noodles to make it heartier.​

Is this soup gluten-free?

The soup itself is naturally gluten-free if you substitute the egg noodles with rice noodles, gluten-free pasta, or simply omit them entirely.​

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Noodle Soup from scratch deserves a permanent spot in your rotation of easy weeknight dinners. It checks every box: budget-friendly, nutritious, comforting, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re feeling under the weather, feeding a hungry family, or simply craving something warm and satisfying, this recipe delivers every single time. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked vegetables, and savory broth creates magic in a bowl that both kids and adults will love. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping, and you’ve got one of the most satisfying supper ideas imaginable.​

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