Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup — my lazy mom version. Everything goes into one pot with water and simmers for about 45 minutes. Simple, satisfying, and delicious. Read on for tips and ingredients.
Hello from South Carolina! I’m staying in a beach house on Isle of Palms, just steps from the sand, learning about food photography and having a great time. We head into Charleston tomorrow and Friday, so if you’d like to follow along check my Instagram story.
I recently started Present Over Perfect, a book recommended by Stephanie from Girl Versus Dough. It’s prompting me to slow down, reassess priorities, and make internal changes. Last year was packed with sponsored work and travel, and I felt burned out and inadequate in many roles — wife, mother, writer, photographer. The book is pushing me to question habits and be more intentional.
One habit I’m changing is my phone use. I’m on my phone often for work — social media, photos, stories — but there’s a time and place. Not at the dinner table. Not during family outings. Our house rule is no phones at the table. On a recent flight I noticed everyone staring at devices instead of talking. Technology helps us in many ways, but it also disconnects us. This year I want to connect more: with family, friends, and new people — to listen and have real conversations.
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
I want to spend more time with my girls and be mindful so I won’t look back and regret missed moments. Food often helps us gather, and for my family, chicken noodle soup is one of those dishes. My kids ask for it when they’re sick or when the weather turns cold. Phoebe loves the broth, and Madeline loves the chicken and pasta.
One day I decided to make soup using only boneless, skinless chicken thighs because that’s what I had on hand. I cut them into pieces and tossed them in, and the result was delicious. While a whole cut-up chicken with bones and skin makes a deeper broth, this shortcut still delivers lovely flavor and a lighter broth. It’s quick — about 45 minutes total, and you can even shorten it to 30 minutes if needed. Everything cooks in one pot with minimal fuss.
This version is easy, comforting, and perfect when you want a homemade meal without extra prep. My family loved it, and I’ll be making it again and again.
Print Recipe
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
You can use bone-in, skin-on chicken or a small whole chicken for deeper flavor, but boneless, skinless thighs work great for a quicker, cleaner soup.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thigh meat* cubed
- 4 medium sized carrots peeled and chopped
- 4 ribs celery chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced or finely diced
- 8 to 9 cups of water + more if needed
- 2 bay leaves fresh if you can get it; otherwise dry works too
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 sprigs fresh dill
- 1 sprig fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 lb. rotini pasta
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
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In a large heavy-bottomed pot, add the cubed chicken, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Pour in 8 to 9 cups of water (or enough to cover ingredients and allow room for pasta later). This will become your broth.
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Top with bay leaves, thyme, dill, and basil. Season with salt and pepper, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes to develop flavor.
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After about 35 minutes, add the uncooked rotini and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Adjust heat as needed. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Before serving, remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
If you have time, use a small whole chicken (cut up) or bone-in, skin-on pieces; bones and skin add more depth to the broth. For extra richness, sauté the carrots, celery, and onion in a bit of avocado oil, olive oil, or butter before adding garlic and the chicken. Then add herbs and water and follow the cooking steps above. Season at the end.
If your pot is very full, cook the pasta separately and add cooked al dente noodles to each bowl before ladling the soup over them. Enjoy!