Homemade chicken noodle soup recipe

A recent trip to the family doctor reminded me that I need to eat healthier! So I thought I’d kick off March with one of my favorite healthy meals— homemade chicken soup. 

This soup is a slight variation of a family recipe passed down from my great-grandmother—a little Ukrainian woman who could make a paper bag taste good! I have fond memories of helping her peel and chop vegetables and making this soup takes me right back there to that tiny faux marble kitchen table all those years ago.

Chicken soup cooking in a pot. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

There’s nothing complicated about making chicken soup. It takes a little time and prep work, but the extra effort gets you a meal that lasts several days. 

And it’s so good for you! According to Healthline, chicken is a good source of protein, vitamin B, and selenium (for the immune system and thyroid). Celery contains vitamins A, K, and C and is an anti-inflammatory that aids digestion while decreasing the occurrence of ulcers. Carrots are known for eye health since they contain vitamin A, beta carotene, and potassium. WebMD even describes carrots as beneficial for lowering cholesterol and fighting cancer, arthritis, and heart disease. In other words, chicken soup is just good for whatever ails you!

Ingredients:

Whole chicken
5- 6 celery stalks
5-6 carrots
2 onions
2 cups chicken stock or broth
2 chicken bouillon cubes
4 cups water
2 tsp salt
Pepper, to taste
Parsley, to taste
Wide egg noodles (optional)
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Whole chicken. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Carrots, onion and celery to be prepped. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Pepper, salt and parsley to be used in soup. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Chicken broth and bouillon to be used in soup. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Place whole chicken in a large pot and cover with water. 

Chop up two celery stalks, two carrots, and one onion in large chunks (these are just to make the stock and will not be eaten) and add to the pot.

Add one tsp salt, two chicken bouillon cubes, parsley, and pepper.

Cook chicken and veggies on medium-high heat for approximately 45 minutes or until carrots and chicken are cooked.

Remove the chicken from the pot, and place it on a plate to cool.

Cooked chicken, waiting to cool before shredding. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Drain the liquid stock into another pot, discarding only the cooked vegetables. 

Add four cups of water and two cups of store-bought chicken stock to liquid, then re-season with pepper, parsley, and one tsp salt. 

Add in fresh chopped celery (2-4 stalks), carrots (3-4), and an onion.

Fresh chopped carrots, celery and onion for the chicken soup. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Celery, onions, and carrots for the chicken soup cooking. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Cut or shred the cooked chicken into small pieces and add it to the new chicken stock mix.

Cooked and shredded chicken. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Cook on medium heat for an additional 30 minutes, or until the carrots are cooked. 

Cook the noodles according to directions.

Wide egg noodles for the chicken soup. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Serve with cooked noodles and buttered bread.

Cooked homemade chicken soup in a bowl. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Do you make homemade soup? I’d love to hear about your fond memories and healthy soup recipes, so feel free to share them in the comments below!

Related blogs you may want to read:
Banana bread and raisin recipe
Potato soup recipe
Tuna noodle casserole recipe
Chicken vegetable pot pie recipe

This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.