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.