Amazing Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup: 1 Hour Comfort

Oh, there’s just nothing like a big ol’ bowl of soup when you need some serious comfort, right? Especially when life gets just a little too hectic, and dinner feels like a mountain to climb. That’s where this super easy, incredibly delicious creamy chicken noodle soup comes in. Seriously, it’s my go-to when the pantry’s looking a bit sad and everyone’s hungry *now*. In less time than it takes to decide what to order in, you can have this warm hug in a bowl ready to go. It’s saved me more times than I can count!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Seriously, why wouldn’t you love a bowl of this soup? It hits all the right notes:

• Speedy Weeknight Winner: This recipe comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for those busy nights when you need something delicious FAST.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s warm, it’s creamy, it’s packed with tender chicken and noodles. Pure bliss in every spoonful!
• So Easy, Anyone Can Make It: No fancy techniques here! Just simple steps that guarantee a fantastic result, even if you’re new to the kitchen.
• Incredibly Flavorful: We build flavor from the ground up, making sure every bite is rich and satisfying. Your taste buds will thank you!

Gather Your Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row, or rather, our ingredients! For this dreamy chicken noodle soup, you’ll want to have these on hand. First up, we’ve got about a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into nice, bite-sized pieces – this is gonna give us all that lovely chicken goodness. For our veggie base, about a tablespoon of olive oil to get things started, then we’ll toss in a cup of chopped yellow onion, another cup of carrots, and a cup of celery. These guys are the backbone of so many good soups! Don’t forget two cloves of garlic, minced up fine to really wake up the flavors. Eight cups of chicken broth is our liquid gold here; try to grab a good quality one, it makes a difference! Then, two cups of egg noodles, because they just hug that creamy broth so perfectly. And for that luscious, creamy texture? Half a cup of heavy cream is key. We’ll finish it off with a quarter cup of fresh parsley, chopped, and of course, salt and black pepper to make everything sing. Trust me, fresh herbs make all the difference!

Essential Equipment for Making Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Alright, before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got your tools ready! You’ll definitely need a nice big pot or a Dutch oven for this. A cutting board and a good chef’s knife are a must for chopping up all those veggies and chicken. And a sturdy spoon for stirring? Absolutely essential. That’s really all you need to whip up this cozy soup!

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Okay, deep breaths, we’re going to make the most amazing soup! It’s really not complicated at all, just follow these easy steps and you’ll be scooping up creamy goodness in no time. Remember, a little patience goes a long way, especially when building flavor. You can find even more delicious dinner recipes that are just as easy to make!

Searing the Chicken and Sautéing Aromatics

First things first, grab your big pot and let’s get it nice and hot over medium-high heat with that tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in your chicken pieces and let ’em get a good sear on all sides. We’re not cooking them all the way through, just getting some nice color and flavor locked in! Scoop the chicken out and set it aside for a bit. Now, into that same pot, add your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Let them soften up for about 5-7 minutes – they’ll get a little tender and sweet. Then, add your minced garlic for just a minute until you can really smell it. Yum!

Building the Broth and Cooking Noodles

Now for the liquid! Pour in all 8 cups of your chicken broth. Turn the heat up and let it come to a lovely boil. Once it’s boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer, put a lid on loosely, and let it just bubble away gently for about 10 minutes. This lets all those flavors from the veggies mingle beautifully. After that, it’s noodle time! Add in your 2 cups of egg noodles and cook them according to the package directions, or just until they’re perfectly tender. Don’t overcook them!

Finishing Touches for Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Almost there! Go ahead and add that cooked chicken back into the pot. Next, stir in the heavy cream and that fresh parsley. This is what makes it creamy and gorgeous! Give it a gentle stir and just heat it through. It’s super important not to let it boil after you add the cream, or it might get a little… well, curdled. Nobody wants that! Finally, taste it. Does it need salt? A little more pepper? Adjust it until it tastes just perfect to you.

Want an even thicker soup? You can totally cheat a little! Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with about two tablespoons of cold water to make a little slurry, and stir that into the pot in this last step before serving. It’ll thicken things right up!

Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Want to take this soup from ‘good’ to ‘OMG, I need the recipe NOW!’? Here are my little tricks:

First off, please, please, PLEASE use a good quality chicken broth. I know it’s tempting to grab the cheapest carton, but honestly, the flavor difference is HUGE. It’s the base of our soup, remember? If you can find a low-sodium one, even better, that way you can control the salt yourself.

Another thing? Don’t be afraid of those veggies! Make sure they get a good sauté until they’re nice and tender. They release all their sweetness and flavor into the broth, which makes this creamy chicken noodle soup taste so much richer. It’s that little bit of extra cook time that makes all the difference.

And that cream? Add it at the very end, and *don’t boil* it. Seriously, I learned that the hard way! Just let it heat through gently. This keeps everything silky smooth and wonderfully creamy.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Now, I love this recipe just the way it is, but hey, kitchens are for experimenting, right? If you don’t have egg noodles on hand, no worries! Wide fettuccine or even penne pasta work great. Just make sure they’re cooked until al dente. For my friends looking for a dairy-free option, you can totally swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk (use the thicker part from the can!) or a good quality unsweetened cashew cream. It gives it a slightly different vibe but is still super delicious!

Want to jazz it up? Throw in some frozen peas or finely chopped broccoli florets with the noodles. A pinch of dried thyme or a bay leaf simmered in the broth adds another cozy layer of flavor. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, a dash of smoked paprika when you sauté the veggies can give it a lovely subtle smokiness. You can find tons of other easy recipes that are just as adaptable!

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

This soup is practically a meal in itself, but who doesn’t love a little something on the side? A warm, crusty baguette or some fluffy dinner rolls are absolutely perfect for soaking up every last bit of that creamy goodness. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette also cuts through the richness beautifully. Honestly, it’s delightful just on its own, but these little extras make it feel extra special!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftover creamy chicken noodle soup? Lucky you! Just let it cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, just gently reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often. Try not to boil it, especially after the cream went in, to keep it nice and smooth. If it seems a little thick, just splash in a tiny bit of extra broth or milk to loosen it up.

Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask about this creamy chicken noodle soup:

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Totally! If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken or some cooked chicken breast sitting around, go for it! Just shred or chop it up and add it in Step 5 with the heavy cream. You won’t need to cook it separately, just warm it through in the soup. Easy peasy!

How do I make this soup thicker?

If you like your soup extra thick, I’ve got a little kitchen hack for you! In Step 5, right before you add the cream, stir in a cornstarch slurry. Just mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until it’s smooth, then whisk it into the simmering soup. Let it bubble for a minute or two until it thickens up beautifully. Instant thickness, no fuss!

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

While I love to make this fresh, it can be a bit tricky to freeze once the cream is in. Dairy products can sometimes separate or change texture when frozen and thawed. If you want to freeze it, I’d suggest leaving out the cream and parsley, freezing just the broth/chicken/noodle base, and then adding fresh cream and parsley when you reheat it. It tastes so much better!

What kind of noodles are best?

Egg noodles are classic for a reason – they soak up that creamy broth so wonderfully! I usually just use regular wide egg noodles. But honestly, any small pasta shape will work in a pinch, like ditalini or even small shells. Just cook them until they’re tender, and watch them closely so they don’t get mushy!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Alright, we all want to know what we’re putting into our bodies, right? Here’s a ballpark idea of what you’re looking at per serving (about 1.5 cups). Keep in mind that these numbers are estimates and can change a bit depending on the exact brands you use or any little tweaks you make. For the super detailed breakdown, you can always check out our privacy policy page where we have more info!

• Calories: Around 350
• Fat: About 15g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 25g
• Protein: A hearty 28g
• Sodium: Around 900mg
• Sugar: About 5g

Share Your Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Creations!

I absolutely LOVE hearing from you all! Have you made this creamy chicken noodle soup? Did it save your weeknight dinner? Please, tell me all about it in the comments below! And if you snapped a pic, don’t forget to tag me on social media – I’d be thrilled to see your delicious creations. You can also reach out through my contact page anytime!

Print