Homemade Dutch Oven Chicken Noodle Soup

This Dutch oven chicken noodle soup recipe is a hug in a bowl. It is the best and perfect for a cold winter night, it's so easy to make you'll never want to buy canned soup again. 

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You’ll love this Dutch oven chicken noodle soup

It's easy to make. This classic chicken noodle soup recipe is so simple to make, you cannot screw this up! It tastes so much better than canned soup, you will love making this on repeat. 

It's delicious. There is truly nothing quite like a big pot of homemade soup. It is perfect for a cold day, and I love having soup cooking all day on the stove. It makes your home smell delicious, and feel so warm and cozy. This Dutch oven chicken noodle soup is no exception.

It takes no time. This homemade chicken noodle soup recipe takes 30 minutes to make with a few simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. 

Are Dutch ovens good for soups?

Yes! Dutch ovens are a must for the home cook. It's perfect for homemade soups, sauces (like homemade marinara or vodka sauce), or stews.

Ingredients

This ingredient list may seem long, but much of what you'll need to make this homemade Dutch oven chicken noodle soup is pantry staples!

Olive Oil. If you using a rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked and shredded chicken, you don't need to use olive oil. I pour a bit of olive oil into the Dutch oven to make sure that the chicken breast I'm cooking doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. 

Chicken Breast. I prefer to use boneless chicken breasts and I cook them in the Dutch oven before making the soup. I like how it adds a bit of flavor to the homemade soup. 

Butter. Once the chicken is done cooking, I add in 2 tablespoon of butter to help deglaze the pan and add that deliciously rich butter flavor. 

Carrots. Carrots are one-third of what is called a mirepoix, which is a base of fresh vegetables that help build flavors in soups, stews, sauces, and casseroles.  

Celery. Fresh celery stalks, diced, is another part of a classic mirepoix. 

Onion. Onion is, in my opinion, the most crucial part of a mirepoix and any soup, stew, sauce, or casserole. It adds so much flavor that you absolutely need for this homemade chicken soup. 

Thyme. If you want to make the best chicken noodle soup, you need fresh thyme. It is an absolute game-changer and makes all the difference. 

Rosemary. Similar to fresh thyme, you're going to want to make sure you add fresh rosemary, too. This combination of fresh herbs makes for such a flavorful broth. 

Garlic. I prefer to use fresh garlic for the health benefits, but if you don't have any, you can absolutely use garlic powder instead. 

Chicken Stock. Chicken stock is a must as the base for this recipe! You can be really adventurous and make your own homemade chicken stock. My personal preference is to use a boullion cube or Better than Boullion.

Noodles. I prefer to use hearty egg noodles, but you can use whatever pasta you prefer! Be sure you only cook the noodles until they are al dente. 

Bay Leaves. A bay leaf gives a taste similar to dried oregano and thyme without being super overwhelming. 

Pepper. Black pepper is a must, I season the chicken breasts with it, and add some at the end.

Salt. I always wait to add salt until right before I add the chicken and the noodles back. You don't want to over salt the soup and chicken stock can be salty. 

How to make Dutch oven chicken noodle soup

1. Pour 2 tablespoon of olive oil into your Dutch oven. 
2. Add your chicken breasts and cook until seared evenly and cooked through. If you’re using a meat thermometer, cook to 165F.
3. Once the chicken is cooked, add 2 tablespoon of butter, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, rosemary and thyme.
4. Cook over medium-low heat unfortunately 7-10 minutes, or until onions are translucent. 
5. While your veggies are cooking, chop your chicken into cubes.
6. Once veggies are cooked through, add in 8 cups of chicken stock and 2-3 bay leaves.
7. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
8. Add in your noodles and chicken. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until noodles are done.
9. Allow to cool for a few minutes, serve with crackers or garlic bread, and enjoy!

Tips for making the best homemade chicken noodle soup

Noodles. If you are planning on having leftovers, don't add all the noodles at once. The noodles continue to cook in a hot bowl of soup, so if you have any leftovers, the noodles are going to be soggier and soggier each time you reheat the soup. 

Fresh Ingredients.​ The fresher the ingredients you can use, the better for any chicken soup recipes. 

Substitutions and Variations

If you don't have everything you need to make this Dutch oven chicken noodle soup, don't worry! Here are some substitutions and variations.

Chicken. You can cook the skinless chicken breasts like I did, or you can use a rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, bone-in chicken breasts, or a whole chicken for this easy chicken noodle soup recipe. You'll just want to be sure you have about 4 cups cooked and diced into bite-sized pieces.  

Veggies. You can certainly add whatever flavorful vegetables you'd like.

Broth.​ You can use homemade chicken broth, low-sodium chicken broth, or a Boullion cube. 

Parmesan Rind.​ If you really want to level up the flavor of your broth, add a parmesan rind into the large Dutch oven while your soup is simmering. 

Storage and reheating instructions

Store the leftover chicken noodle soup in an airtight container in the fridge. The leftovers will keep fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you're reheating leftover soup, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. 

If you want to reheat the soup on the stove top, bring it to a boil and add in ½ cup or 1 cup of wide egg noodles, cook for 4-5 minutes, and then serve. 

How to add flavor to chicken noodle soup

Although this is a great recipe, there are some ways that you can really level up the flavor of chicken noodle soup.

• Parmesan Rind
• Lemon Juice
• Fresh Herbs, like thyme, rosemary, and sage.
• Fresh Garlic
• Homemade Chicken Broth

FAQ

Do you have to cook egg noodles before adding to soup?

Nope! I cook the egg noodles in the broth for this Dutch oven chicken noodle soup.

How to get a thick broth for chicken noodle soup?

You can make a roux with equal parts flour and butter, or you can add cornstarch. 

How to make chicken soup without drying out the chicken?

Cook your chicken breasts and remove them from the Dutch oven or stock pot, and don't add them back into the soup until right before serving. 

Amazon home finds

If you don't already want a Dutch oven, you absolutely need one for the fall and winter months. These soup bowls are perfect for all the cozy comfort food recipes.  

Pin it for later!

Want more cozy dinner recipes?

• Chicken Pastina Soup
• Easy Wonton Soup
• Sausage and Rice One Pot Recipe
• Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles Lasagna