Creamy, herb-filled chicken soup made with tender vegetables and rustic hand-cut noodles from a treasured family recipe.
Some recipes do more than feed us—they carry memories, preserve traditions, and bring the people we love back to the table.
This creamy chicken noodle soup is especially near and dear to my heart. My mother passed away suddenly a few years ago, and whenever I feel homesick, this is the recipe I make. She served it to our family for as long as I can remember, always with our grandma’s homemade noodles. Those rustic noodles are simple, tender, and wonderfully comforting. They turn an already delicious soup into a true 10-out-of-10 family meal.
If you have seen Ratatouille, you probably remember the moment when Anton Ego tastes the ratatouille and is instantly transported to a childhood memory of his mother comforting him. This soup is that dish for me. One spoonful takes me back to my mother’s kitchen and reminds me of the love and comfort she gave our family.
It has become a favorite among my family and friends, too. I hope it brings the same warmth to your table and, in time, becomes part of your family’s story.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is rich, creamy, and filling enough to serve as a main course.
- The rustic homemade noodles require only four basic ingredients.
- Everything cooks in one pot once the noodles are prepared.
- It uses simple ingredients and familiar pantry herbs.
- It tastes like the kind of meal only a mother or grandmother could make.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 40 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Course: Main course
- Cuisine: American with German family influence
- Best served with: Fluffy Cheddar Biscuits
Ingredients
For the Chicken Soup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 cup carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 large chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes
- 5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk—I use 1%
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, for garnish
A note from my kitchen: You can replace the canned cream of chicken soup with a homemade roux, but using the can keeps this version true to my mom’s original recipe.
For Grandma’s Homemade Noodles
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons cold water, plus more if needed
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
Instructions
1. Sauté the vegetables
Melt the butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.
Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent. 
2. Add the seasonings
Stir in the basil, oregano, poultry seasoning, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook briefly, just until the herbs become fragrant.
3. Simmer the soup
Add the cubed chicken, broth, and cream of chicken soup. Stir until combined, then bring the soup to a boil.
Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
4. Prepare the noodle dough
While the soup simmers, combine the eggs, cold water, salt, and flour in a medium bowl. Mix until a firm dough forms.
If the mixture is too dry to come together, add a little more cold water—but not too much. The dough should be firm enough to roll and cut.
Shape the dough into a large ball, then divide it in half.
5. Roll and cut the noodles
Place one half of the dough on a generously floured work surface. Roll it into a thin sheet. 
Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into long strips. Make one cut across the strips to shorten them into rustic noodles. Repeat with the second half of the dough. 
The noodles do not need to be perfect. Their uneven, hand-cut shape is part of what makes them so special.
6. Cook the homemade noodles
Add the noodles to the simmering soup, separating them gently as they go into the pot.
Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
7. Finish the creamy broth
Whisk the milk and cornstarch together in a small bowl until smooth.
Pour the mixture into the soup and stir gently. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, allowing the broth to thicken slightly.
Keep the soup over low or warm heat until you are ready to serve. If it becomes too thick as it rests, add a splash of milk or broth. 
8. Garnish and serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
Serve it hot with fluffy cheddar biscuits for dipping and soaking up every last spoonful of creamy broth.
Tips for the Best Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- Cut the chicken evenly: Similar-size pieces will cook at the same rate.
- Flour the work surface generously: This keeps the noodle dough from sticking.
- Separate the noodles before adding them: Drop them into the soup gradually so they do not clump.
- Keep the noodles rustic: Uneven edges and different shapes give the soup its homemade character.
- Adjust the consistency before serving: Homemade noodles continue absorbing liquid, so keep extra broth or milk nearby.
- Let appearance guide the dough: Add extra water sparingly; the dough should be firm rather than wet or sticky.
What to Serve with It
My favorite accompaniment is a batch of fluffy cheddar biscuits. Their buttery, cheesy flavor makes them perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.
You could also serve the soup with:
- Crusty bread and salted butter
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Crackers or toasted sourdough
Storage and Reheating
Store cooled leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. The homemade noodles will continue to absorb the broth, so the soup will become thicker as it sits.
Reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk as needed to loosen the consistency.
A Recipe That Feels Like Home
This soup will always be more than a meal to me. It is my grandmother’s noodles, my mother’s kitchen, and the comfort of family gathered around the table.
Food has a beautiful way of holding memories for us. Even after someone we love is gone, a familiar aroma or first bite can make them feel close again. That is what this soup does for me, and I hope it becomes a source of warmth, comfort, and happy memories for your family, too.
