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You ever have one of those days where you just need a hug in a bowl?
Not a salad. Not something complicated with twelve steps and three different pans. Just… something warm. Familiar. Something that doesn’t ask too much of you.
This soup is that. It’s not trying to be fancy. It’s not trying to impress. It’s just good. The kind of good that makes you exhale a little deeper with every bite.
I think about my grandma a lot when I make stuff like this. She always had a way of pulling together something delicious with whatever she had. No recipe. No rules. Just instinct and love. I remember her stirring soup with one hand and holding a book in the other, humming whatever song had been stuck in her head all week.
I don’t know — maybe that’s why I love this soup so much. It tastes like someone looking out for you.
Here’s why it works (and why I make it way too often)
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Only three ingredients. Honestly, I feel silly calling it a recipe.
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Takes 15 minutes, max. You barely have time to change into your pajamas.
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Tastes like you cooked all day. Even if you 100% did not.
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Endlessly tweakable. Add what you want, or don’t. It’s cool either way.
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It’s the kind of thing you’ll actually crave. Like, all year round.
What You’ll Need
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4 cups chicken broth
Store-bought is totally fine. If you’ve got homemade, I mean, gold star. But I usually just grab the box. Pro tip: the low-sodium kind lets you add salt the way you want. -
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Leftovers from a roast? Yep. Rotisserie from the store? Even better. Canned chicken in your pantry you forgot about? Honestly? It works. This soup is not a snob. -
2 cups egg noodles
The wide, squiggly kind — the kind your aunt probably used in her famous casserole. But use whatever pasta you’ve got. It’s not judging you.
Okay, let’s make the soup
(You barely need instructions, but I’m walking with you anyway.)
Step 1: Heat the broth
Pour that broth into your favorite big pot. Not the fancy Dutch oven you don’t want to scrub. The one that feels familiar. Turn the heat to medium-high and let it come to a low, happy boil.
You’ll probably feel cozy just smelling it.
Step 2: Add the noodles
Drop those noodles in and give them a stir so they don’t clump together like awkward middle schoolers at a dance. Let them cook about 6 to 8 minutes, until they’re soft and slurpy.
Step 3: Add the chicken
Stir in the cooked chicken. Let it sit for a few minutes until everything’s warm and blended and delicious. Nothing fancy here — just wait until the whole pot feels like it’s on your side.
Step 4: Taste, adjust, and serve
Ladle it into bowls. Big ones. Add a crack of pepper, maybe a tiny pinch of salt. Sit somewhere quiet, or curl up on the couch with a blanket and just be.
Little extras, if you’re feelin’ it
This soup is perfect just how it is. But if you’re in the mood:
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Squeeze in a little lemon juice. Brightens everything up.
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Toss in herbs. Parsley, thyme, dill — whatever’s looking perky in the fridge.
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More veggies? Thin-sliced carrots or celery work beautifully. Just add them in with the noodles.
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Want it creamy? Splash of half-and-half or heavy cream before serving = chef’s kiss.
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Spice it up. A few red pepper flakes give it a little warmth without turning it into something else.
Honestly? Even just buttered toast on the side makes this a moment.
What to do with leftovers
(if there are any — doubtful)
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Store it in the fridge in an airtight container. It’ll keep for 3–4 days.
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Reheat gently. On the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much.
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Noodles a little soggy? It’s okay. Still tastes like comfort.
Side note: I’ve eaten it cold out of the fridge with a spoon standing over the sink. Not proud, but not sorry.
One last thing…
This isn’t just soup. I mean, technically yes — it’s soup. But it’s also:
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what you make when someone you love is sick.
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what you eat after a long, weird day when everything feels off.
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what you make for yourself when you want something simple, warm, and enough.
So if you need that right now — this is it.
And if you make it? I’d love to hear. Tell me if you added something fun. Tell me if your kid actually ate it (miracle). Tell me if it reminded you of someone.
Food is funny like that. It sticks to our ribs, sure. But it sticks to our memories too.
Take care of yourself. You deserve soup.
3-Ingredient Cozy Chicken Noodle Bowls
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups egg noodles
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add the egg noodles to the boiling broth and cook for about 6–8 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Stir in the cooked shredded chicken and let it heat through, about 3–5 minutes.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of a simple, homemade meal.
Notes
Nutrition