Looking for the easiest chicken soup recipe to keep you warm on cold days? This homemade chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food, with a rich and flavorful broth, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked noodles. Whether you’re battling a winter chill, craving something soothing, or searching for a quick dinner idea, this recipe delivers every time.

Chicken soup isn’t just a classic—it’s a remedy for the soul. This recipe takes the traditional flavors you love and elevates them with fresh ingredients and simple techniques to create a bowl of soup that’s both hearty and nourishing. From its warm aroma to its satisfying taste, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your home.

Delicious chicken soup with carrots, parsley, and herbs in a white bowl.

Why is this version of chicken soup the best? It’s easy to make, uses everyday ingredients, and is incredibly versatile. You can customize it with your favorite pasta shape, roughly chop the vegetables, or even add a kick with your favorite hot sauce. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly, making it a lifesaver on busy days.

It’s time to whip up a pot of the best chicken soup you’ve ever tasted. Follow along for step-by-step instructions, expert tips for perfecting your soup, and a recipe that’s sure to become your go-to for chilly evenings and comforting meals.

Be sure to read until the end for helpful tips on making homemade broth and customizing your soup with delicious Dominican flavors!

Person washing fresh carrots under a kitchen faucet using a colander, in a home setting.

Close-up of chopped garlic on a wooden cutting board with a stainless steel knife.

Delicious Mexican dish with steak, enchiladas, and sides on a blue plate.

Equipment

1 frying pan large
1 stock pot 4-6 quarts
1 crockpot optional
1 Potato Smasher
1 hand blender optional

Ingredients

1 lb pinto beans or feel free to experiment with black beans
8 cups water
2 strips beef bacon halal-certified
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp rendered fat from halal beef bacon
½ white onion roughly sliced
1 cup bean broth reserved from cooking the beans

Optional

4 tbsp queso fresco for topping or for mixing into the beans

Instructions

Prepare the Mangú

Peel the plantains and cut lengthwise. Remove the center where the seeds are located. Cut the plantains into chunks.
Boil the plantains in enough salted water to cover them, plus an inch, for about 25 minutes or until very tender. Fork test the texture before removing the plantains.
Remove the plantains from the water and mash them right away with a fork until they are very smooth. Progressively add butter, olive oil, and cold water until smooth. Adjust salt to taste.

Cook the Onions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Add thinly sliced onions and cook and stir until they become translucent.
Pour in vinegar and season with salt to taste.
Set the onions aside until you are ready to garnish your mangú for serving.

Fry the Cheese and Salami

Cut the cheese into 12 slices (approximately 2 inches thick).
Heat the canola oil over medium-high heat in a medium pan, and fry the cheese on one side until it turns golden brown. Turn and repeat. Do not add many slices at the same time as the oil must remain very hot to prevent the cheese from staying in the oil too long.
Set the cheese aside on a plate with a paper towel.
In the same skillet, fry the halal salami until lightly crisp.
Allow these to rest on a paper towel as well to soak up the excess oil.

Cook the Eggs

Prepare your eggs as desired—fried sunny-side-up with crispy edges is traditional. Season with salt and pepper.
For the traditional crispy edges, fry the eggs in the same skillet you fried the cheese and salami.

Assemble Your Tres Golpes

Serve the mangú topped with sautéed onions, alongside fried cheese, salami, and eggs. Add avocado slices for a fresh, creamy finish.

Recipe created by Aly

Warm chicken noodle soup with vegetables served in a decorative ceramic pot, perfect for a cozy winter meal.

Warm, comforting chicken broth in a bowl with decorative spoon close-up.

Preparing Simple Homemade Broth

One of the best ways to elevate your chicken noodle soup is by using homemade broth. Not only does it add a depth of flavor you can’t get from store-bought versions, but it’s also an excellent way to make use of chicken scraps you’ve saved in the freezer. Whenever you roast a chicken or cook bone-in chicken pieces, save the leftover bones, skin, and any bits of meat. Freeze them in a resealable bag or container until you’re ready to make broth.

To prepare the broth, simply add your frozen chicken scraps to a large stockpot along with water. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 8 hours. This slow cooking process extracts all the nutrients and flavors from the bones, resulting in a rich and golden broth. Once it’s done, strain the liquid, let it cool, and can them in jars. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for longer storage.

Homemade broth not only makes your soup tastier but also lets you control the ingredients, ensuring it’s free of preservatives and excess sodium. It’s an economical and eco-friendly way to get the most out of your chicken scraps while adding incredible flavor to your recipes.

Customizing This Chicken Soup Recipe for Dominicans

If you’re Dominican or love Dominican flavors, this chicken noodle soup can easily be adapted to reflect the comforting tastes of traditional Dominican cuisine. Here’s how you can add a cultural twist:

Hearty chicken corn soup with fresh avocado slices and eggs on a cozy table setting.

Warm chicken soup with corn, carrot, and parsley, perfect for comforting meals.

Tips for Sopa de Pollo Dominicano

Incorporate Sofrito: Start the recipe by sautéing a blend of garlic, onion, bell peppers, cilantro, and oregano—Dominican sofrito—in the olive oil. This step infuses the soup with a deep, aromatic base that’s signature to many Dominican dishes.
Replace Potatoes with Plátanos (Green Plantains): For a heartier, more traditional twist, swap out the potatoes for green plantains. Peel the plantains, cut them into chunks, and add them to the broth along with the carrots. As the soup simmers, the plantains will soften, releasing their mild, starchy flavor and adding a unique texture that complements the other ingredients.
Add Corn for Sweetness: For an added touch of sweetness and texture, include chunks of corn on the cob in your soup. Add the corn along with the plantains and carrots. The corn will infuse the broth with its natural sweetness, creating a perfect balance of flavors in your soup.
Swap the Pasta for Rice: While pasta is classic in chicken noodle soup, substituting it with white rice creates a more Dominican-inspired comfort food. Add the rice towards the end of cooking and allow it to simmer until tender.
Finish with Lime and Fresh Cilantro: Serve the soup with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. This bright, zesty garnish is a staple in Dominican cooking and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Serve with Avocado and Pan de Agua (water bread): For the ultimate Dominican-style meal, pair the soup with slices of ripe avocado and a side of Dominican bread. Pan de Agua (water bread), has a crisp, golden-brown crust and a soft, airy interior. It’s similar to a baguette but with a slightly rounder shape and a more neutral flavor, making it perfect for soaking up flavorful soups like chicken noodle. These simple additions make the dish even more satisfying.

Wrapping It Up

There’s something truly magical about a steaming bowl of chicken soup, especially when it’s this simple to make. In just 30 minutes, you can create a hearty, nourishing meal that’s perfect for cozy nights and cold days. Whether you’re following the recipe to the letter or adding your own personal touches—like Dominican-inspired flavors—this soup is a staple that belongs in every home cook’s repertoire.

Not only is it quick and easy, but it’s also versatile enough to suit any taste or occasion. Make it ahead of time, freeze portions for later, or enjoy it fresh out of the pot with your favorite toppings. However you serve it, this chicken noodle soup is sure to bring comfort, warmth, and plenty of smiles to your table.

Now it’s your turn! Try the recipe, customize it your way, and let us know how it turned out in the comments. We’d love to hear about your favorite variations or tips for making this classic dish even better.

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The Best 30-Minute Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe – Perfect for Cozy Days!