Skip to content

How to make chicken noodle soup

There are few things more comforting than a warming bowl of soup, especially one you've made from scratch. Tender chicken, veg and delicate herbs are spiralled with noodles for a classic broth that looks and smells vibrant and fresh. Follow our step-by-step recipe to learn how, and don't forget to screenshot the handy ingredients list at the bottom before you go shopping.

  1. Sear the chicken

    Heat the oil in a large, lidded pan over a medium-high heat and sear 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs and 150g boneless skinless chicken breast. Cook on one side for 5-6 mins. Turn and repeat; set aside.

    Sear the chicken
  2. Soften the veg

    Add 1 diced onion, 3 diced carrots and 3 diced celery sticks, and sauté for 10 mins until softened. Add 2 crushed garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 mins.

    Soften the veg
  3. Simmer the stock

    Return the chicken to the pan. Add 1 reduced-salt stockpot made up 2ltrs water, with 5g thyme sprigs and 5g rosemary sprigs and 2 bay leaves, tied with string. Bring to the boil; reduce to a simmer. Partially cover; cook for 20 mins, skimming off any scum. Turn off the heat.

    Simmer the stock
  4. Shred the chicken

    Remove the chicken and shred into bite-sized pieces. 

    Shred the chicken
  5. Add your extras

    Strain the soup into a clean pan; discard seasonings. Add the chicken, heat to boiling and add 400 fresh linguine. Cook for 2 mins. Add 100g green beans, cut into 4cm pieces, and 100g spinach; cook for 1 min. 

    Add your extras
  6. Serve

    Ladle into bowls, adding black pepper and parsley, if you like.

    Serve
  7. Freezing and defrosting guidelines

    Make this soup ahead of time and save for a rainy day. To freeze, strain the soup (step 5) into a freezer-safe container; discard seasonings. Add the chicken. Cool, cover and freeze. To serve, defrost in the fridge overnight; heat to just boiling. Add the noodles and follow as above. 

    In order to enjoy optimum flavour and quality, frozen items are best used within 3 months of their freezing date. For more tips on freezing and defrosting food, read our article Love Your Freezer.

  8. Ingredients

    We’ve made a handy shopping list so you can get everything you need to make this comforting chicken noodle soup recipe. Don’t forget to screenshot before you go shopping!

    1 tbsp vegetable oil
    500g skinless, boneless chicken thighs
    150g skinless chicken breast
    1 onion, diced
    3 carrots, diced
    3 celery sticks, diced
    2 garlic cloves, crushed
    1 reduced-salt chicken stock pot, made up with 2ltrs water
    5g thyme sprigs, tied with string
    5g rosemary sprigs, tied with string
    2 bay leaves
    100g green beans, cut into 4cm pieces
    100g spinach
    400g fresh egg linguine or other noodles
    30g pack flat-leaf parsley, chopped to serve (optional)

    Serves 4


    Each serving contains

    • Energy

      1960kj
      466kcal
      23%
    • Fat

      18g 25%
    • Saturates

      4g 22%
    • Sugars

      9g 10%
    • Salt

      1.6g 27%

    of the reference intake
    Carbohydrate 37.4g Protein 39.1g Fibre 7.2g