This Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is your ultimate hug in a bowl—ultra-comforting, impossibly creamy, and packed with tender chicken and tangy Reames noodles. It’s the kind of deeply satisfying, soul-soothing meal you crave on chilly nights or anytime you need a little extra coziness. Prepare to fall in love with every spoonful!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Seriously Creamy Goodness: The combo of cream of chicken and cheddar cheese soup creates the dreamiest, silkiest broth—you’ll want to slurp every last drop.
- Big, Hearty Noodles: Reames frozen egg noodles mimic classic homemade—thick, chewy, and utterly satisfying in every bite.
- Weeknight-Friendly: It comes together quickly, with just a little prep, and rewards you with maximum comfort in under an hour.
- Familiar Flavors, Just Better: Brings together everything you love about a childhood favorite, dialed up with extra richness, gentle spice, and plenty of chicken.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup proves that a handful of well-chosen ingredients can yield explosive flavor and irresistible texture. Each component shines—don’t skip a thing!
- Skinless, boneless chicken breasts: Use evenly pounded pieces for even cooking and extra juicy bites that soak up the soup’s flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Adds depth and a touch of richness as it browns the chicken and softens the onions.
- Onion: A quick sauté gives the base lovely sweetness and umami—don’t rush this step!
- Chicken broth: The backbone of every great chicken soup; it’s what turns this dish into a true comfort classic.
- Cream of chicken soup: Key to the lush, creamy texture—it melds everything into one harmonious bowl.
- Cheddar cheese soup: Delivers golden color and an unmistakable, tangy richness that sets this soup apart.
- Reames frozen egg noodles: The thick, chewy texture makes this soup feel homemade and extra hearty. If you love classic noodle soups, these are a must!
- Granulated garlic: Brings subtle, mellow garlic notes without overpowering the other flavors.
- Paprika: For gentle warmth and a touch of color.
- Cayenne: Just a pinch wakes everything up—don’t worry, this won’t make it overly spicy.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Season to taste and let the ingredients sing.
Variations
One of the best things about Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is how easy it is to make it your own. Don’t be afraid to riff on the recipe—there’s no wrong way to chase comfort in a bowl!
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: For even faster prep, swap the chicken breasts for torn pieces of pre-cooked rotisserie chicken—just add after simmering the broth.
- Veggie Packed: Toss in chopped carrots, celery, peas, or spinach for an extra pop of color and nutrition without sacrificing creaminess.
- Change the Cheese: Prefer sharper flavor? Use cream of cheddar or a few handfuls of shredded cheese whisked in with the cream soups.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute plant-based cream soups and use olive oil instead of butter to make this soup friendly for dairy-free diets—still super creamy and flavorful!
How to Make Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Set your favorite heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and melt the butter until it’s foamy. While the pan is heating up, season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Lay them gently in the hot butter and let them get gorgeously golden—think 3 to 5 minutes per side. This caramelization adds so much flavor to your final broth!
Step 2: Soften the Onion
Once the chicken is beautifully seared, remove it to a plate for a moment. Toss in your finely chopped onion—using the same pan allows the onion to soak up all those delicious brown bits. Sauté until the onion turns translucent and tender, releasing sweetness into every corner of the pot.
Step 3: Simmer Chicken in Broth
Return the chicken breasts to the pot and pour in your chicken broth, using it to deglaze the pan and unlock all that rich, savory fond. Bring it all to a gentle simmer before reducing the heat to low; let the chicken poach for about 8 to 10 minutes, until it’s easy to shred and infused with broth flavor. Remove the chicken again and shred with two forks.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles
Add a cup of water to your broth (just to give the noodles extra room to cook), then crank up the heat and bring it to a boil. Stir in those glorious frozen Reames egg noodles and let them cook for about 15 minutes until nearly tender. The soup will start thickening and smelling absolutely irresistible.
Step 5: Finish It Creamy
Now comes the best part: returning your shredded chicken to the pot along with the cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese soup, granulated garlic, paprika, and cayenne. Stir everything together and keep cooking gently until the noodles are velvety-soft and every spoonful is luxuriously creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning—you want it perfect!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Noodle Timing Matters: Resist the urge to overcook the noodles—frozen Reames keep soaking up broth, so stopping just shy of fully tender ensures they stay perfectly toothsome by serving time.
- Layer Your Seasoning: Season chicken before searing and taste the finished soup at the end, adding extra salt and pepper only as needed—the cream soups bring plenty of salty goodness already!
- Shred, Then Return Chicken: Shredding chicken after simmering lets it reabsorb all that luscious, creamy broth—skip cubing for maximum tenderness in every bite.
- Soup Consistency Fix: If the soup gets thicker than you like (some noodles are extra thirsty!), stir in additional broth or a splash of milk before serving to loosen it up without dulling the flavor.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Garnishes
This soup absolutely shines with a handful of fresh chopped parsley, a little cracked black pepper, or even a sprinkle of extra cheddar right on top. For a rustic finish, a swirl of cream or a squeeze of lemon adds a pop of color and brightness.
Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong with warm, crusty bread—try a classic baguette or buttery soft rolls. If you’d like a lighter accompaniment, a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette beautifully balances the richness of the soup.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup in big, deep bowls for maximum coziness, or ladle into little mugs for easy sipping at a party. Want to impress? Top each bowl with a Parmesan crisp, or serve inside bread bowls for a dramatic (and totally edible) presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The noodles will soak up more broth as they rest, so don’t be surprised if it thickens up a bit in the fridge!
Freezing
For the best texture, freeze Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup before adding the noodles—dairy and noodles don’t always freeze well together. If freezing leftovers with noodles, expect the soup to be thicker and the noodles slightly softer when reheated, but still super tasty.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low, stirring frequently and adding a splash of broth or milk if needed to return the soup to its original creamy consistency. Avoid boiling—this helps prevent the dairy from breaking and keeps the noodles tender.
FAQs
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Can I use another type of noodle for Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup?
Absolutely! While Reames frozen egg noodles give that classic thick-and-chewy texture, you can use any wide egg noodle or even pasta shapes like rotini—just adjust the cooking time so they’re perfectly tender but not mushy.
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Is it okay to use precooked or leftover chicken?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken works beautifully—simply skip the searing and add the shredded chicken toward the end, just long enough to warm through.
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Can I make Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup gluten-free?
Definitely, just be sure to use gluten-free noodles and select gluten-free varieties of cream soup—many brands now offer both. The flavor will still be wonderfully savory and creamy!
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How can I make the soup thinner or thicker?
If your soup is too thick, whisk in extra chicken broth or milk a little at a time until you reach your perfect consistency. If you’d like it thicker, let it simmer uncovered a bit longer, or add more noodles to soak up excess liquid.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a warming, ultra-comforting family classic, you truly can’t beat a big pot of Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. I can’t wait for you to try it—let it warm your soul and become a new crowd-pleaser in your home!
PrintCreamy Chicken and Noodle Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-vegetarian
Description
A comforting and creamy chicken noodle soup recipe that is perfect for a cozy night in. This hearty dish is filled with tender chicken, egg noodles, and savory spices, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 3 skinless boneless chicken breasts, evenly pounded
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Soup:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 1 (10.5 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz.) can cheddar cheese soup
- 16 oz. Reames Frozen Egg Noodles
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear in a pot with melted butter until golden brown on both sides.
- Cook the Soup: Remove chicken, sauté onions until translucent. Add chicken back, pour in chicken broth, and simmer until chicken is easy to shred. Remove chicken, add water and bring to a boil. Cook frozen noodles until almost tender. Stir in shredded chicken, cream soups, garlic, paprika, and cayenne. Cook until noodles are tender and soup is creamy.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg