Why You’ll Love this Homemade Chicken Soup
When you’re feeling under the weather or simply craving something comforting, this homemade chicken soup recipe will become your new best friend. I’m talking about the perfect balance of tender chicken, hearty brown rice, delicate egg noodles, and fresh vegetables that create layers of flavor in every spoonful.
What makes this recipe special is its flexibility—you can simmer it slowly on the stovetop or let your crockpot do the work while you’re away. The aromatic blend of onions, garlic, and celery creates that unmistakable, soul-warming fragrance that’ll have everyone gravitating toward your kitchen.
What Ingredients are in Homemade Chicken Soup?
Making chicken soup from scratch isn’t complicated at all—it’s about combining simple, wholesome ingredients that work together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. The magic happens when these basic components simmer together, releasing their flavors into the broth. This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts for convenience, but they still provide that rich, homemade flavor we all crave in a good soup.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup brown rice
- 3/4 cup fine egg noodles
- 5 carrots, chopped
- 3 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
- Pepper to taste
- 12 cups water
- Bread and butter (for serving)
The beauty of this ingredient list is its versatility. Can’t find brown rice? White rice works too, though it has a shorter cooking time. For a heartier version, you might want to double up on the vegetables or add others like peas or corn.
And while the recipe calls for boneless chicken breasts, you could substitute chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor profile. Remember, the key to a good soup is patience—allowing those ingredients time to mingle and develop that comforting taste that makes chicken soup the ultimate comfort food.
Isn’t it wonderful how such basic ingredients can create something so nourishing?
How to Make this Homemade Chicken Soup
To create this comforting chicken soup, start by placing 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large stockpot with 12 cups of water, 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt, some pepper to taste, and 1 garlic clove. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about an hour.
This slow cooking process allows the chicken to become tender while creating a flavorful broth that forms the foundation of your soup. The aroma that fills your kitchen during this step? Absolutely worth the wait.
While the chicken works its magic, prep your vegetables by chopping 5 carrots, 3 peeled potatoes, 1 onion, and 1 stalk of celery into small, bite-sized pieces. Once the hour has passed, remove the chicken from the broth and add all your chopped vegetables along with 3/4 cup of brown rice.
Let this mixture cook at a low boil for about 45 minutes, giving the rice time to become tender and the vegetables to infuse the broth with their flavors. During this time, chop the cooked chicken into pieces that are just the right size for spooning.
When the rice and vegetables are done cooking, add the chopped chicken back to the pot along with 3/4 cup of fine egg noodles, and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the noodles are tender. Serve this hearty soup with some bread and butter on the side for a complete meal that warms both body and soul.
For those who prefer a hands-off approach, this recipe adapts beautifully to a slow cooker. Simply add all ingredients except the egg noodles to your crock pot and cook on low for 7 hours. Using a premium slow cooker set can elevate your soup-making experience with more consistent temperature control and durability.
Then remove the chicken to chop it while adding the egg noodles to the soup. Return the chopped chicken to the pot, and within minutes, you’ll have a delicious homemade chicken soup ready to serve. Who knew comfort could be so simple to create?
Homemade Chicken Soup Substitutions and Variations
While this classic chicken soup recipe provides a comforting foundation, the beauty of homemade soup lies in its flexibility and adaptability to whatever ingredients you have on hand.
I’m constantly amazed at how swapping brown rice for barley, or adding wild rice instead of egg noodles completely transforms the dish.
Don’t have potatoes? Butternut squash makes a delightful substitute, adding a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with chicken.
For a flavor boost, try adding fresh herbs like thyme or dill, or sprinkle in turmeric for its golden color and anti-inflammatory properties.
The possibilities are endless—it’s like having dozens of soups in one recipe!
What to Serve with Homemade Chicken Soup
Three perfect companions elevate a bowl of homemade chicken soup from merely satisfying to absolutely memorable.
I’ll always reach for warm, crusty bread with a pat of salted butter that slowly melts into those delicious nooks and crannies. It’s practically mandatory for sopping up those last precious spoonfuls of broth!
A simple side salad with vinaigrette offers a bright, acidic counterpoint to the soup’s richness.
Think crisp greens, thinly sliced radishes, and perhaps some cucumber.
For a heartier meal, grilled cheese sandwiches turn this comforting soup into a complete feast that’ll warm you from the inside out.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve mastered this chicken soup recipe, I’m confident you’ll return to it time and again, especially during those cold winter months when nothing else quite hits the spot.
There’s something magical about the combination of tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and that rich broth that simply can’t be replicated from a can.
The versatility is what makes this recipe a true keeper—toss in whatever vegetables need using up, switch brown rice for barley, or add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
Whether simmered slowly on the stovetop or bubbling away in your crockpot, it’s practically impossible to mess up!
