Start by melting your butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Once it’s melted, toss in your chopped carrots, celery, and onion. This step is all about building flavor, so take your time here. Stir occasionally, letting the veggies soften for about 7-10 minutes. (Pro tip: Keep an eye on your heat! Too high, and the onions will burn instead of getting nice and translucent.)

Once your veggies are tender and the onions are translucent, sprinkle the flour over the top. Stir it around to coat the veggies and cook it for 2-3 minutes. This step thickens your broth and creates the creamy base for the soup. (I’ve skipped this step before in a rush—don’t make that mistake! The soup will be too thin without it.)

Slowly pour in your chicken broth while stirring. This helps avoid clumps from the flour. Turn the heat up to medium-high and let the mixture come to a boil. Add the chicken bouillon base and a generous ½ teaspoon of black pepper for seasoning.

Carefully add your chicken breasts to the boiling broth, making sure they’re fully submerged. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the chicken cook for about 15 minutes, then use tongs to check if it’s done. You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F. (If it’s not quite there yet, just pop it back in for a few more minutes. I’ve made the mistake of pulling it too early before—undercooked chicken is not fun.)

Once the chicken’s out of the pot, bring the broth back to a boil and add your egg noodles. Let them cook for 7-10 minutes while you shred the chicken. When the noodles are done, return the shredded chicken to the pot.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup with milk or water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the soup, and watch as it instantly transforms into creamy perfection. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary—salt, more pepper, you name it.

If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top before serving. It’s totally optional, but it adds a lovely brightness to the dish. And that’s it—time to ladle up some soup!