Make a pot of this nourishing, simply delicious chicken noodle soup, filled with tender chicken, plenty of vegetables, and Italian pasta noodles. It comes together easily on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker.

Two bowls of homemade chicken noodle soup with carrots, wide noodles, and herbs sit on a beige linen cloth. Two gold spoons are placed next to the bowls.

Have you ever made chicken soup from scratch? What are you waiting for?! I think every home cook needs a go-to recipe for homemade chicken noodle soup, the ultimate comfort food. Just the scent of a pot of chicken soup simmering on the stove is enough to transform your kitchen into a cozy haven.

This recipe is based on a soup my Italian grandma used to make (my favorite, along with this creamy white bean soup) and it’s a keeper.

I add a couple of slices of lemon and a Parmesan rind, both of which add a layer of Italian-style flavor and brightness.

  • You can make this classic chicken soup on the stove in less than hour, or just 15 minutes in an electric pressure cooker. I updated nana’s chicken soup by using boneless chicken thighs (instead of a whole chicken with the bones) to save time.

Chicken noodle soup in a pressure cooker

Forget about simmering a chicken all day in a large soup pot. If you have a pressure cooker, this soup is even quicker to make.

I’ve fallen hard for my electric pressure cooker. I’m so glad I invested in one a few years ago. Now I use it to make so many dishes I’d usually slow-cook, like a rich Sunday-style meat sauce for pasta.

Karen’s ingredient notes:

Fresh produce ingredients for homemade chicken soup: onion, celery and carrots.
  • Pasta: Look for wide pappardelle, dried egg noodles or fettuccine. I break them into pieces so they’re easier to spoon up.
  • Chicken: Chicken thighs are my first choice to use in this soup don’t dry out when they’re cooked the way chicken breasts can. You’ll need 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The same quantity of chicken breast meat is fine to use.
  • Parmesan rind: I’m one of those people who starts to get anxious when there isn’t a hunk of Parmesan in the fridge, and I always save the rinds. They are perfect to use in soups and sauces, adding a layer of umami flavor – it’s a totally optional ingredient.
  • Dill: The grassy, fresh taste of dill screams “homemade chicken soup” like no other herb. If you don’t like it, try using parsley or basil instead. A tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme leaves are great too.
A bowl of chicken noodle soup with chunks of carrots, celery and chopped dill on top.
5 from 33 ratings

Homemade Chicken Pappardelle Noodle Soup

Karen Tedesco
A classic homemade chicken noodle soup recipe straight from my Italian grandmother's kitchen. This recipe makes a tasty, nourishing soup loaded with tender chunks of chicken, vegetables and wide noodles to catch all the delicious broth. Easy to cook on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) butter
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 ½ cups (240 g) chopped onion (1 large)
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  • ½ pound (225 g) carrots, peeled and sliced into 2-inch chunks
  • 3 stalks celery (pick off and reserve the leaves for garnish), sliced into 2-inch chunks (1 cup)
  • 1 ½ pounds (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 5 cups (1183 ml) chicken broth
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric, optional, but makes a beautiful golden broth
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 ¼-inch thick slices of fresh lemon, seeds removed
  • 1 small Parmesan rind, optional
  • 8 ounces (225 g) dried fettuccine or egg noodles, broken into large pieces
  • ¼ cup (12 g) chopped parsley
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese to taste

Instructions
 

  1. Put the butter and oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the onion, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook 5 minutes, stirring, or until the onion is softened.
  2. Add the chicken, broth, turmeric, 2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, lemon and Parmesan rind. Stir. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and partially cover the pan. Let the soup bubble gently for 45 minutes. The chicken should be very tender and shred easily with a fork. Remove the cheese rind and lemon slices and discard.
  3. When the soup is almost done, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
  4. Add the noodles and dill to the soup. Serve warm in bowls, sprinkled with cheese and celery leaves.

Notes

Pressure cooker directions:
  1. Set a pressure cooker to the “Sauté” function and preheat on high. When the cooking pot is hot, add the butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Turn the Sauté function off. Add the chicken, 4 cups broth, turmeric, 2 teaspoons salt, pepper, lemon and Parmesan rind (if using).
  3. Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and cook on medium-high 15 minutes. Release the pressure manually.
  4. Stir in the cooked pasta, dill and cheese and serve.
To freeze the soup:
  • Don’t add the noodles if you want to freeze the soup – they will absorb the broth and get soggy.
  • Portion the soup into freezer-proof containers 3/4-full to allow for expansion. Cool completely.
  • Fasten the container lids securely. Mark a piece of masking tape with the date and place in the freezer. Store for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on a microwave.
  • Cook the noodles after defrosting and add to the heated soup when you’re ready to serve.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 304kcal Carbohydrates: 21g Protein: 29g Fat: 12g Sodium: 215mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 5g

Nutrition facts are calculated by third-party software. If you have specific dietary needs, please refer to your favorite calculator.

Save to Pinterest
Tried this recipe?A star rating takes 5 seconds and helps more people find it.