- Start by chopping the onion, slicing the carrots and celery, and mincing the garlic. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole to shred later—either works wonderfully. 
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become translucent and the veggies soften slightly. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. 
- Add the chicken breasts to the pot and let them brown lightly for 2-3 minutes per side. This step locks in flavor and creates a nice base for your broth. 
- Pour in the 8 cups of chicken broth and stir in the dried thyme and parsley. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. 
- Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup. 
- Add the egg noodles directly to the simmering soup. Cook for 7-8 minutes or according to package instructions until tender but still slightly firm. 
- Taste your soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and enjoy immediately — it’s pure comfort in a bowl.