Monday to Friday Chicken Noodle Soup
This recipe delivers a comforting and quick chicken noodle soup, ideal for weeknights. Featuring tender chicken, fine egg noodles, and crisp carrots in a flavorful broth, brightened with fresh herbs and lemon, it comes together in under 25 minutes. It's a wholesome and satisfying meal perfect for a busy schedule.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For simmering the soup
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing vegetables and chicken
- 1 Chef's knife For chopping and slicing ingredients
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons For accurate ingredient portions
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Ladle For stirring and serving
Ingredients
Main
- 12 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/3 cup packed parsley or dill leaves
- 2 cups fine egg noodles dry
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8 small carrots peeled and thinly sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 clove garlic pierced with a toothpick
Instructions
- Combine carrots, broth, water and garlic in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer until the carrots are tender, about 5 minutes. While this is cooking, cut the chicken into 1/2-inch chunks. Rinse, pat dry and mince the dill or parsley. Add the chicken and egg noodles to the broth, cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Fish out garlic clove and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
For optimal flavor, use a good quality chicken broth as it forms the base of this soup. Ensure carrots are tender but still have a slight bite, usually achieved by not over-simmering. When adding the chicken and noodles, be mindful not to overcook them; the noodles in particular can quickly become mushy. For a more pronounced garlic flavor, lightly smash the clove instead of just piercing it, and remove it before serving as instructed. Seasoning is crucial; taste and adjust salt and pepper throughout the cooking process, not just at the end, to build layers of flavor. The lemon juice brightens the soup significantly, so add it right before serving.