When my body is tired and achy, or I’m feeling a bit under the weather, I always throw together this Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup recipe. The aroma that fills my house as it cooks is absolutely soothing to the soul, and the “from scratch” chicken soup flavor makes it the ultimate comfort food. There’s no bouillon or canned broth here folks, because this chicken soup is the real deal. But don’t worry, despite being made from scratch, this surprisingly simple and easy recipe makes the BEST homemade chicken noodle soup with very little hands-on time!.
Chicken soup is comfort food at its finest. When you’re feeling under the weather or just need something warm and nourishing, a bowl of chicken soup really hits the spot. But to take chicken soup from bland to grand, you need the right blend of seasonings.
I’ve made my own chicken soup recipe better over the years as a busy mom and home cook. I’ve found the right mix of spices to make my chicken soup even better after a lot of trial and error. Here are my top 12 seasonings for making chicken soup at home, so you can make a pot of comforting goodness right in your own kitchen.
The Foundation: Salt, Pepper, and Celery Seed
These 3 ingredients form the base flavor layer of my chicken soup. A pinch of salt enhances the savory flavors of the broth while a dash of black pepper adds subtle heat. But don’t skip the celery seed – it’s a secret weapon that gives the broth a unique earthy, celery-like flavor. You can also use celery salt in place of regular salt. Just be mindful of the extra sodium.
Aromatic Herbs: Bay Leaf, Thyme, and Parsley
Bay leaf and thyme that have been dried give chicken soup broth a herb flavor. Use them sparingly so their flavors don’t overpower. The fresh, grassy taste of parsley makes the soup taste better. Add it near the end of cooking to keep the color and taste. Dried parsley works too but has a more subtle flavor.
Allium Power: Onion and Garlic
An onion and garlic base builds huge flavor in any soup or stew. I use both onion powder and fresh diced onion in my chicken soup recipe. The powder adds instant onion flavor while the fresh onions caramelize and add sweetness. Garlic powder provides an extra punch of garlicky goodness.
Smoked Paprika for Depth
Adding a little smoked paprika to chicken soup makes it taste rich and smoky. It deepens the overall flavor profile. Pimentón, a Spanish smoked paprika, is my favorite, but any kind will do. Just don’t use too much smoked paprika because it can be strong.
Fresh Herbs for Brightness
In addition to parsley, fresh herbs like dill, chives basil oregano, and marjoram make great additions to chicken soup. Their vibrant flavors provide a pop of brightness. Mix and match different herbs to put your own twist on the classic recipe. Add them toward the end of cooking so they retain their color and flavor.
Warm Spices: Ginger, Red Pepper, and Turmeric
For extra flavor and warmth, I like to add a pinch of ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and turmeric. Ginger has a bit of sweet heat, red pepper provides a subtle kick, and turmeric lends an earthy flavor and golden hue. This spice trio takes the soup to the next level.
Umami Boosters: Mushrooms, Tomato Paste, and Soy Sauce
Ingredients high in savory umami flavor make chicken soup even more satisfying. I like to add sliced mushrooms, a spoonful of tomato paste, and a splash of soy sauce. Shiitake and cremini mushrooms are great choices. The tomato paste and soy sauce inject a savory, salty richness.
Acid for Brightness: Lemon Juice or Vinegar
A squirt of lemon juice or vinegar right before serving balances the rich broth with bright acidity. This helps all the flavors pop. I use fresh lemon juice, but apple cider or white wine vinegar also work well. The acidic brightness makes everything in the soup taste better.
The Extras: Vegetables, Grains, and Leafy Greens
Carrots, celery, potatoes and noodles are classic chicken soup additions. I also like to throw in vegetables like peas, corn, green beans and spinach for extra nutrition. And grains like rice, barley, and quinoa add hearty bulk. Mix and match different add-ins to customize your soup.
Bone Broth for Added Nutrition
For the ultimate nutrition boost, use homemade bone broth as the base of your soup instead of plain water. Simmering bones and connective tissue releases collagen, amino acids, and minerals into the broth. This takes the flavor and health benefits over the top.
Finishing Touches
Before serving, I taste the soup and adjust any seasonings as needed. An extra pinch of salt, splash of acid, or dash of herbs may be necessary to perfect the flavor balance. I also like to stir in a spoonful of fresh chopped herbs right before eating for extra freshness.
My Go-To Chicken Soup Recipe
Here is a quick outline of my simple chicken soup recipe that you can use to make a hot bowl of comfort food any night of the week:
- In a large pot, sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic
- Add chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper
- Simmer until vegetables are tender
- Add chopped chicken, mushrooms, tomato paste, lemon juice, and soy sauce
- Stir in rice, peas, spinach and parsley
- Adjust seasonings and serve
With the right blend of seasonings, it’s easy to make homemade chicken soup that rivals the best restaurant versions. I hope these tips help you craft your own perfect pot of hearty, flavorful chicken soup. Just add a loaf of crusty bread, and you’ve got the ultimate cold weather comfort food!
Ingredients for Chicken Noodle Soup
Making chicken noodle soup from scratch doesn’t require a lot of complicated ingredients. All you need is chicken, a few simple vegetables, herbs, and spices, and you’re good to go! Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this easy chicken noodle soup recipe:
- For the vegetables, I use onion, carrot, and celery in a simple mirepoix, with a little garlic added for flavor. The chicken and this mix of vegetables cook together to make a delicious homemade soup broth. The vegetables help the soup look and feel better too.
- Chicken with Bones: For the tastiest chicken noodle soup, you must use chicken with bones. I use bone-in, skinless chicken breast, so my soup has tasty pieces of white meat all over it. If you like dark meat, you can use drumsticks or thighs. If you want a richer soup, you can leave the skin on while it simmers and take it off later. I like to take it off to cut down on the fat.
- Spices and herbs: Basil, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper give this soup its classic warm taste. We also add salt to make the natural flavors really stand out.
- Water: The chicken, vegetables, and spices cook in water to make a delicious homemade broth.
- For chicken noodle soup, I like to use wide egg noodles because they are light, but you can use any shape of pasta you like! Try stars, alphabet pasta, fideo, or ditalini.
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?
You can make this homemade chicken noodle soup recipe even faster by swapping out the raw chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken. Before you start making the soup, take the chicken meat off the bones. Then, add the chicken carcass to the pot with the vegetables and simmer them together instead of the whole chicken breast. Remove the bones before adding the shredded chicken back at the end.
Or, instead of simmering the bones, you can use a pre-made chicken broth and simply add the shredded rotisserie chicken at the end. This is a very quick way to make chicken soup, but it won’t taste as good as when you make your own broth!
How to Make Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup
FAQ
What spices are good in chicken soup?
Add peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, poultry seasoning, basil, and parsley.
What can I put in my chicken soup to give it more flavor?
What Can I Put in Chicken Soup to Make It Taste Better? Adding herbs and spices to vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery before cooking them in the broth makes the soup taste better. Season the soup with salt and pepper early on, allowing the flavor to concentrate as the soup simmers.
What are good seasonings to put in soup?
Aside from salt, the typical dried seasonings would be black pepper (a small amount in soup goes far), oregano, bay leaves, thyme, and sage (not all at the same time). Fresh seasonings can include parsley, garlic, onion, and the celery that you dislike. If you like cilantro (aka coriander), you could try that as well.