Recipe

Comforting Best Chicken Soup

A warm, cozy bowl with tender chicken, buttery veggies, and a bright lemony finish. Simple ingredients, big comfort, and leftovers that taste even better tomorrow.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.9

A steaming bowl of homemade chicken soup with shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and herbs on a wooden table with a spoon nearby

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There are two kinds of chicken soup days. The first is the sniffly, bundled-up, please-hand-me-a-blanket kind. The second is the random Tuesday where you just want dinner to feel like a soft landing. This recipe covers both.

My “best” chicken soup is not fussy, but it is intentional. We build flavor in layers: sauté the vegetables until they smell sweet, bloom the garlic and herbs, simmer the chicken until it practically shreds itself, then wake the whole pot up with a little lemon at the end. It is cozy, savory, and somehow still bright.

Whether you serve it with noodles, rice, or just a chunk of bread you tear off like a kitchen gremlin, you are in for a good bowl.

A pot of chicken soup gently simmering on a stovetop with visible carrots, celery, and shredded chicken

Why It Works

Deep, classic flavor without needing a complicated stock. Sautéing the veggies first makes the broth taste like it has been working all day.
Tender, juicy chicken thanks to a gentle simmer. No rubbery bites here.
A broth that tastes alive with lemon and fresh herbs added at the end for that clean, cozy finish.
Flexible carb options so you can go noodles, rice, or keep it lighter and still feel satisfied.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

How to Store Chicken Soup

This soup is a leftover champion. The only trick is keeping noodles or rice separate so they do not drink the whole pot overnight.

Refrigerator

Cool soup quickly, then store in an airtight container.
Keeps well for 3 to 4 days.
If you added pasta, expect it to soften. Not a dealbreaker, just a softer noodle moment.

Freezer

Freeze the soup without noodles for best texture.
Freeze up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove.

Reheating

Warm over medium-low heat until steaming. Avoid a hard boil so the chicken stays tender.
Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt and a fresh squeeze of lemon to bring it back to life.
If you kept noodles or rice separate, warm them on their own and add to bowls right before serving.

Common Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes, and it is a fantastic shortcut. Sauté the vegetables, simmer the broth with seasonings for 15 to 20 minutes (add a Parmesan rind here if using), then stir in shredded rotisserie chicken at the end just long enough to warm through. Finish with lemon and herbs.

Should I use chicken thighs or breasts?

Either works. Thighs stay extra juicy and forgiving. Breasts are lean and shred beautifully if you keep the simmer gentle and do not overcook.

How do I make the broth taste richer?

Two easy upgrades: add a Parmesan rind while it simmers (remove it before serving), or stir in a spoonful of butter at the end. Also make sure you salt enough. Under-salted soup tastes like hot water with good intentions.

How do I keep noodles from getting soggy?

Cook noodles in a separate pot, then add them to each bowl as you serve. It is one extra step that saves your leftovers.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes. Add everything except lemon and fresh herbs (and keep noodles separate). Cook on low 6 to 7 hours or high 3 to 4 hours. Shred the chicken, then finish with lemon and herbs right before serving.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Large Dutch oven or soup pot (at least 6 quarts)
Cutting board and sharp knife
Wooden spoon for scraping up flavor
Tongs for removing chicken
Fine-mesh strainer (optional, if you want an extra-clear broth)
Microplane or zester (optional, for lemon zest)
Instant-read thermometer (optional, for a quick 165°F doneness check)

I started making chicken soup the way a lot of people do: when I wanted comfort but did not want drama. The first few times, I treated it like a pot you fill with water and hope for the best. It was fine. Then I learned the little stuff matters. Let the vegetables actually soften. Let the herbs hit the hot oil for a few seconds. Salt in layers. Finish with something bright.

Now this is the soup I make when friends are coming over and I want the house to smell like I have my life together, even if my sink is full of dishes and I am tasting the broth like it is my full-time job. It is cozy, reliable, and always worth the stir.

Comforting Best Chicken Soup

(4.9 Reviews)

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
3 celery ribs, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves)
2 bay leaves
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless thighs or breasts)
1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional but great)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Optional add-ins: 2 cups cooked egg noodles or cooked rice, 1 cup frozen peas, pinch of crushed red pepper, 1 Parmesan rind

Note: If you are using bone-in chicken, you get extra cozy broth. If you are using boneless, it is faster and still delicious.

Instructions

Sauté the base. Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and the veggies smell sweet.
Bloom the flavor. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves. Cook 30 to 60 seconds, just until the garlic smells amazing. Do not let it brown.
Simmer. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the chicken. If using skin-on pieces, you can skim excess foam or fat from the surface as it rises, but a little richness is part of the charm.
Optional: If using a Parmesan rind, add it now.
Cook the chicken gently. Simmer 25 to 30 minutes (boneless may take closer to 15 to 20), until the chicken reaches 165°F and easily pulls apart. Keep it at a gentle simmer, not a hard boil.
Shred. Transfer chicken to a plate. When cool enough to handle, remove skin and bones if needed, then shred or chop into bite-size pieces.
Finish the soup. Return chicken to the pot. If you used a Parmesan rind, remove and discard it. Add peas if using and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off heat, then stir in lemon juice, lemon zest (if using), and parsley.
Taste like you mean it. Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon. If serving with noodles or rice, add to each bowl so leftovers stay perfect.

Shredded cooked chicken on a cutting board next to a pot of soup

Nutrition information is estimated.

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