This creamy chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s packed with flavor and loaded with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a lusciously creamy broth. And the best part? It’s all made in one pot for easy cleanup!
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This soup is a winner not only because it’s delicious when served but also because it gets even better the next day. The egg noodles in this recipe act as a natural thickening agent, so as the soup cools, it transforms into a rich and creamy leftover that’s just as tasty.
Love this soup? Then you’ve got to try my easy chicken pot pie, chicken and rice casserole, and easy chicken rotini casserole. They’re all family-friendly main dishes that are packed with flavor and easy to make.
This recipe is from a collection of handwritten recipes we received at our wedding shower. The lady who gave us this recipe would always make this soup for my husband and me. It’s a cozy recipe that’s perfect for this time of year.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Family Favorite: This creamy chicken soup is a cherished recipe from my husband’s friends, making it a special and beloved part of our family meals.
- Comfort in a Bowl: There’s nothing like a warm, creamy bowl of soup to provide comfort on a chilly day, and this recipe delivers just that.
- Flavor-Packed: Despite its simple ingredients, this soup is bursting with flavor, thanks to the addition of cream of chicken soup and a hint of sour cream.
- Quick and Easy: With a short list of ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is a snap to make, especially when you’re short on time.
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Key Ingredients
- Water: This will be the base of our soup, providing a clean canvas for all the flavors to come together.
- Chicken Better Than Bouillon: This will add a rich, savory chicken flavor to the soup, making it extra delicious.
- Celery: It will bring a subtle, earthy flavor and a bit of crunch to the soup.
- Carrots: A pop of color and a hint of sweetness, these will also add a nice texture to the soup.
- Chicken: The star of the show, it will bring a hearty, meaty flavor to the soup.
- Egg Noodles: These will make the soup more filling and add a comforting, homey feel.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: It will make the soup extra creamy and give it a boost of chicken flavor.
- Pepper: If you like a bit of heat, add some pepper to give the soup a little kick.
- Parsley: This will add a fresh, herby flavor and a pop of green to the soup.
Equipment
- Large Pot – You’ll need this to bring the water to a boil and to cook the noodles, carrots, and celery. Plus, everything is made in one pot for easy cleanup!
How to Make Creamy Chicken Soup
Preparation
Start by boiling water and adding bouillon. This will form the base of your soup.
Step 1 – Cook the Vegetables and Noodles
Once the bouillon is ready, add the egg noodles, carrots, and celery. Let them cook in the broth for about 10 minutes, or until they are tender.
Step 2 – Add Chicken and Cream of Chicken Soup
Next, stir in the cooked chicken and the cream of chicken soup. Let them heat up in the broth until the soup is thoroughly hot.
Step 3 – Add the Final Touches
After the soup is heated, remove it from the heat and stir in the sour cream. This will add a delicious creaminess to the soup.
Step 4 – Serve the Soup
Your creamy chicken soup is now ready to serve. Ladle it into bowls and sprinkle each serving with parsley and pepper for a flavorful garnish.
Expert Tip
To make the creamiest chicken soup, remember to remove the pot from the heat before stirring in the sour cream. This prevents the soup from curdling and gives it a smooth, velvety texture.
Recipe Variations
- Rotisserie Chicken: Instead of cooking the chicken yourself, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for added flavor.
- Add Some Heat: If you like a bit of spice, consider adding a dash of cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeno to the soup.
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables to the soup, such as corn, peas, or even some diced potatoes for a heartier meal.
What to Serve With
- For a hearty and wholesome meal, serve your creamy chicken soup with a side of freshly baked bread. The bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy soup, and it’s a great way to make the meal more filling.
- If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can serve the soup with a fresh kale salad. The crisp, refreshing salad is a great contrast to the creamy soup, and it’s a perfect choice for a warm summer day.
- For a complete comfort food meal, serve the soup with a side of mashed potatoes. The creamy, buttery potatoes are a great accompaniment to the creamy chicken soup, and they’re sure to be a hit with the whole family.
- If you want to add a bit of crunch to your meal, serve the soup with a side of homemade croutons. Simply cube some day-old bread, toss it in olive oil and your favorite seasonings, and bake until crisp. The croutons are perfect for sprinkling over the soup, adding a delicious crunch to every bite.
Make Ahead Instructions
Make ahead as instructed but do not add the noodles and sour cream. Let cool and freeze. When ready to enjoy, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bring to a boil and cook the noodles in the soup. Once cooked, remove from heat, add the sour cream and serve.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any type of cooked chicken for this creamy chicken soup. Rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or even leftover chicken will work well. It’s a great recipe to use up any extra chicken you have on hand.
Yes, you can. The recipe calls for egg noodles, but feel free to use any type of pasta you like. Penne, rotini, or even spaghetti broken into smaller pieces would all be great in this soup.
The sour cream adds a creamy and slightly tangy flavor to the soup, but if you’re not a fan, you can leave it out. The soup will still be delicious and creamy from the cream of chicken soup.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying a bowl of this creamy chicken soup, you can easily store the leftovers. Just let the soup cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This soup is freezer-friendly. Once it has cooled, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy the soup, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Heating: Reheat the soup in a pot on the stove over medium heat. You can add a bit more water to loosen it up if needed.
More Soup Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This creamy chicken soup recipe yields a hearty and satisfying soup that can serve up to 12 people.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve more than 12 people, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Just make sure your stockpot is large enough to accommodate the increased quantity. If not, you can also make it in two separate batches.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Cups water
- 8 teaspoons Chicken Better Than Bouillon
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 4 carrots diced
- 3 Cups chicken cooked
- 4 Cups egg noodles
- 1/2 Cup sour cream
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- Pepper optional
- Parsley optional
Instructions
- Prep by dicing the carrots and celery. Cook the chicken and cut into one inch pieces.
- Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot (at least 5 quarts) and add the bouillon.
- Add the noodles, carrots, and celery to the broth. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
- Add chicken and cream of chicken soup to the soup. Heat thoroughly. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and pepper to serve.
