The Best Chicken Noodle Soup is made whenever I have a leftover roaster chicken carcass. This homemade chicken soup recipe is a keeper!
Everyone should know how to make a comforting pot of chicken soup. There is nothing better than a nice warm bowl of soup on a cold winter day. It is also one of those great meals that can be made in advance or pulled out of the freezer when you have a sick family member or friend.
What ingredients are in the best chicken noodle soup?
- one leftover chicken carcass
- water
- carrots, onions and celery
- seasonings
- noodles or other pasta
Every time I make chicken noodle soup, it comes out a little different. That's because I use different seasonings on my roasted chicken. I find that Cuban Roasted Chicken makes a really good chicken soup but you can use any chicken that's well seasoned. Store bought rotisserie chicken also works and it is a great time saver.
How to make Chicken Carcass Soup
This soup is totally made from scratch!
It starts with a chicken carcass that still has some meat left on the bones. I always make a big chicken so that I'll have at least ⅓ of it to make soup. The carcass cooks in water along with vegetables and herbs to make a delicious tasting broth.
It all gets strained then carrots and celery are added along with whatever noodles or pasta you like. You can always make the stock or broth ahead of time then add the noodles and vegetables on the day you plan on serving the soup.
The whole process takes about 2 hours to cook but worth every minute. And it really is passive cooking time because while it simmers, you can be doing other things. You'll have the best chicken noodle soup simmering on your stove and your kitchen will smell amazing!
What type of noodles should you use?
The nice thing about chicken noodle soup is that you can use all types of noodles. Sometimes I use spaghetti and other times I'm in the mood for wide egg noodles. They are added at the end so you can basically use whatever you like. Or you could add orzo, elbow macaroni or pastina. Make this a gluten free recipe by using gluten free noodles too.
Tips for making the best homemade chicken noodle soup:
Tips for making the best homemade chicken noodle soup:- Make a really big batch so you can freeze some. You can double the recipe below but make sure not to add the noodles until you reheat the soup.
- The longer the stock cooks, the more flavorful it is. Onions and celery are not the only veggies that can be added to flavor the soup. Some other favorites are parsnips, leeks, garlic and chives. You can also use your favorite herbs.
- If you don't want to add noodles, you can substitute rice also. Add dry rice to the last 25 minutes of cooking time. It might soak up the broth so make sure to add extra water.
- Add salt and pepper to your taste.
February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day!
I could eat soup all winter. In case you didn't know, February 4th is national homemade soup day. I really don't need a special day to celebrate with homemade soup but for those who do, I have included more homemade leftover chicken soup recipes below.
More Chicken Soup Recipes
- Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Gluten Chicken Noodle Soup
- Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Sicilian Soup via Katie's Cucina
- Chicken Lentil Soup via Swirls of Flavor
Best Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 1 leftover roasted chicken carcass
- a large pot of water
- 1 large onion peeled
- 3 large stalks of celery trimmed
- a handful of parsley and dill or other favorite herbs
- 3 large carrots peeled and trimmed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces noodles
- 1 Tbsp dried herbs
Instructions
- Put the chicken in a large soup pot and fill with water. Bring to a boil, add onion, cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour. Add the celery, herbs and carrots. Cover and cook on low heat for another 30 minutes.
- Remove pot from the heat. Cool for a few minutes. Strain the broth and remove the chicken and vegetables. Chop the chicken into small pieces, discarding the bones and skin. Skim the broth for any extra fat. Chop the carrots, celery and onion(if desired). Discard herbs.
- Pour broth in the pot and add the chicken and chopped vegetables. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook soup on medium heat and bring the broth to a simmer. Add noodles or pasta and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until noodles are done. Season with more salt and pepper and dried herbs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Published April 2012; updated January 2021
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Yum...this looks SO comforting! It's already in the 90s here in Texas this week, but I can eat chicken soup year-round too...especially with a salad for lunch. Your soup looks so good! BTW...I'm having a contest on my blog that you should really enter! Come by for the details...
I can eat soup year round, and there's nothing more flavorful than a big brothy bowl of chicken soup. ok, now I'm officially hungry. 🙂
I have a cold right now so it's the perfect time for chicken soup!
Soup on a rainy day is best comfort food ever!
Great idea using drumsticks for soup! We've had the same rainy, dreary couple of days and this would have been marvelous for dinner!
Chicken noodle soup is always one of my favorites. Can't wait to try this.
I used to raise meat chickens and each one made 3 meals for a family of 4. One of those meals was always a soup of some sort. Perfect main meal soup,
There are so many good uses for rotisserie chickens! This soup looks nice and hearty without too many calories!
Thanks Karen! I do love rotisserie chicken!
Perfect recipe Lisa! Whenever I buy a rotisserie chicken, I throw the bones in a freezer for soup! My go to seasoning for hicken soup is Bell’s Poultry seasoning.
Thanks Lynne! I'll have to try Bell's poultry seasoning.
My husband makes the perfect stock and when I showed him this, he said, yes, this is the way I do it. Yum.
Definitely the best way Terri!
My son is convinced that Chicken Noodle Soup is the only food he can eat when he is sick. But I could enjoy this anytime.
This is the best way to make chicken noodle soup! It looks so hearty and delicious!
I always save my chicken carcass for broth (also beef and pork bones). This looks delicious!
There is nothing more comforting than chicken soup. And I always use my leftover chicken including the carcass for the broth!