ULTIMATE Chicken Noodle Soup– a hearty, flavor packed, and comfort food at its finest! Tender noodles, chicken, veggies, and bacon combine in a savory broth!
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Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Every food blog has a favorite chicken noodle soup recipe, but I must admit….this one may just be the BEST! Of course, I may be bias in saying that, but after you try this, you may just agree. Yes, I take a few shortcuts in this recipe, however, the flavor just cannot be beat. If you don’t like canned products, I do offer an entirely homemade version below, but hopefully you will give this one a try too!
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup is pure comfort food. This recipe is so easy you can even make it tonight, no matter what time you’re reading this! In fact, Chicken Noodle Soup is one of the easiest soups to make. From simple and inexpensive ingredients, to little to no prep, this soup is a winner.
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Why this recipe is the BEST Chicken Noodle Soup
I could go on and on about why this soup is the best, but I will leave it at just a few. Try it for yourself and you’ll see why it earned its name!
- Comfort food at its finest– yep, something about a warm bowl of soup filled with tender noodles, shredded chicken, veggies, and bacon to warm you up on a cold night
- Flavor packed- did someone mention bacon?! Oh yes I did! That may just go down as the secret ingredient in this recipe as most chicken noodle soups don’t include it.
- A One Pot Meal– since it has your veggies, protein, and starch in it, you are able to serve this entirely on its own if desired
- Versatile– if you want to change this up to fit your tastes, go for it. Prefer a brothier soup, add more liquid! More veggies? Go for it! So many options!
Ingredients needed for Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken– cooked/shredded, Rotisserie works great too
- Condensed Cheese Soup– found near the creamed soups
- Chicken Broth
- Milk
- Celery– chopped
- Carrots– chopped
- Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
- Bacon– cooked/crumbled
- Cheddar Cheese– shredded
- Egg Noodles
How to Make the Best Chicken Noodle Soup
With a few simple steps, this soup comes together quickly every time! Scroll below for full recipe card!
- In a large Dutch oven, combine the chicken, cheese soup, broth, milk, celery, carrots, Ranch mix, and bacon bits.
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Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 25 minutes.
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Stir in the uncooked egg noodles and cheddar cheese.
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Allow to cook an additional 8 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
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Serve soup warm!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Chicken Thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken soup is better when made with darker meat if I am being honest. Chicken thighs become tender and soft, just be sure to cook and de-bone for this soup.
What other meat can I use in this soup?
A GREAT option is to use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in this soup!
Do I have to use egg noodles?
Nope, I tend to go that route because it is a light noodle that cooks quickly. If you choose to use another pasta, add a bit more broth to offset the amount the pasta will absorb.
Can I add in some herbs to this soup?
Great idea! Thyme and Bay Leaves are great options. For a pop freshness, stir in a handful of chopped fresh parsley at the end. You can also add fresh chives at the end.
I don’t like adding canned soups, do you have an alternative recipe?
Sure do! Check out my other Chicken Noodle Soup recipe that is made entirely from scratch and can even be prepared using the Instant Pot!
Storage
The soup can be made and refrigerated for 3 to 4 days and frozen for up to 3 months. If you are not planning on enjoying the soup straight away or plan to freeze it, you may want to hold off on adding the noodles. As the soup sits, the noodles soak up the broth, making it rather thick. You can add more broth when reheating though, so either way works great.
What to serve with Chicken Noodle Soup?
As I mentioned above, this is a one-pot meal! There is no need to serve anything with this soup, however I tend to serve crusty bread or homemade biscuits with ours and we dip them in as we devour our bowls. Another great option is to add a side salad with this to add some greens to the meal!
More Soup Recipes to try
When the weather gets cold, these soups are just the thing to make to warm you up!
ULTIMATE Potato Soup– packed with flavor and comfort food at its finest! Load it up with cheese, bacon, and sour cream and enjoy a hearty meal!
Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup– this might just be the best tomato soup you’ve ever had! Easy to make, perfectly flavorful, and it’s nice and hearty
Chicken Pot Pie Soup– creamy and comforting, a great weeknight meal that is hearty, tasty and easy to prepare!
Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup– Shredded chicken, diced peppers, cream cheese, onion, and seasonings combined into a meal everyone will enjoy!
Chick Fil A Chicken Tortilla Soup– a copycat recipe you don’t want to pass up. Now, you can enjoy a bowl of the restaurant’s famous soup right at home!
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The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 1 can condensed cheese soup (10.75 oz)
- 6-8 cups chicken broth (I use 6)
- 1 cup milk
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 cups carrots, chopped
- 1 package dry Ranch dressing mix
- 2.25 oz bacon bits (or 1 cup choppedcooked bacon)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 oz egg noodles
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, combine the chicken, cheese soup, broth, milk, celery, carrots, Ranch mix, and bacon bits.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 25 minutes.
- Stir in the uncooked egg noodles and cheddar cheese.
- Allow to cook an additional 8 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
- Serve soup warm!!
Nutrition
Sherry says
Anyone know of a Ranch Dressing dry mix without MSG?
Kristin says
Here is a homemade version, not my recipe, but one I have used and enjoyed! https://www.spendwithpennies.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
Christina says
I couldn’t find the cheese soup. What can I substitute in place of it?
Kristin says
You can make this in place of the can, https://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/162053514/condensed-cheddar-cheese-soup-substitute/
Brittany Doom says
This will definitely be a new staple in our house it was so good!!!
I cooked my chicken in the instapot and seasoned to cook in, plus made extra and was able to meal prep chicken salad with extra shredded chicken and celery!!
Total bonus to throw together extra with very few extra ingredients!!!
Kristin says
Yay! Glad to hear it was a hit in your house!!
Catherine says
Can you double the recipe for a bigger family?
Kristin says
Absolutely! Just make sure your pot is big enough! Enjoy!
Marlette says
I’m not a fan of chicken noodle soup, but this recipe was scrumptious. Thanks!
Kristin says
Yay, glad you enjoyed! You sound like me, I typically don’t like chicken noodle soup…unless its this one, haha!
Mary says
Can you put rice in it an not the noodles.
Kristin says
Absolutely! I recommend cooking the rice separately, or increasing cook time/liquid
Ashley says
Mhmm this recipe is delicious♡ so glad I took the chance and made it.
Kristin says
YEA!!! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Hannah says
Very good! Saw this on FB and tried it tonight… can’t wait till it finishes cooking lol ( I taste as I go) GREAT recipe!
Kristin says
Yea!! How’d it turn out??? Hope you enjoyed!
Larry Cushman says
Could you use canned Chicken?
Kristin says
Sure! That should work just fine!
Connie says
Can you taste the bacon
Kristin says
Not very much, but if you don’t like bacon, you can omit it and it will still be just as tasty!
Tammy says
Did you use spaghetti noodles also ?
Kristin says
Nope, I have only ever used egg noodles, however, if you prefer spaghetti, it should work just as well!
Beverley says
Hi could u please tell me what the ranch mix is please and we’re I can buy it from thank you looking forward to making it
Kristin says
Sure! Here is a link so you can see what it looks like. You should find it in the dressing aisle of your grocery store! https://amzn.to/2CzmIbu
Kay says
Made it but it’s very salty. Even used low sodium chicken broth.
Kristin says
Hmmm, definitely use the low sodium chicken broth if finding it too salty. You can also get the low sodium bacon as well! Other than that, I am not sure how to cut that down. Perhaps a bit more broth? Or noodles?
Karen says
I am trying to print this as well but no luck. Can you please send post it in comments….
Kristin says
There should be a green print friendly button, are you not seeing it?
Carla Turner says
Can I print this recipe. There is no way to print. Please send me the recipe.
Kristin says
There should be a green print friendly button, are you not seeing it?
Robin says
I cooked this 3 weeks ago and my family loved it. I’ll be cooking a double batch for my out of town family arriving this weekend. I prepared it by the recipe and didn’t make any alterations.
Kristin says
Yea!! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Alicia says
Can I just use a regular large pot?
Kristin says
Absolutely! Hope you enjoy!
Jane says
How many does it serve?
Kristin says
This recipes makes 8 servings!
Susan says
Thank U for sharing this recipe. I have been looking for a good chicken & noodle soup recipe . My question is , what can I use in place of the cheese soup and The other cheese stuff ? Thank U
Kristin says
You can omit the shredded cheese if desired. As for the cheese soup, you can add in cream of chicken soup or omit altogether and increase broth by about 1/2 cup. This soup is easy to tweak if desired, so no worries! Enjoy!
Carol says
Left out the bacon and it was still super good!
Kristin says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Cassie Nieberlein says
Can you just use a large pot?
carol galbraith says
looks so good can’t wait to try it thx
Kristin says
Hope you enjoy!
Jennifer Wallace says
Can this be pre-made? If so, how would you do it?
Kristin says
You can make this and freeze it? Is that what you’re referring to?
Stephanie says
How long would you book in a crockpot? And would you let the chicken cook with everything and then shred it at the end? Thanks!
Kristin says
I would say about 6-8 hours low, or 4 hours high. Add all in at beginning minus pasta. Once chicken cooks, shred. Add pasta in about 1-2 hours before serving!
Danette says
Made it and loved it – and I am not a ranch fan but this was sooo good
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed this! Its a new favorite in my house for sure!
Jessica w says
Can you cook it in a crockpot?
Kristin says
Sure! Just add the pasta towards the end! Should work great!