Hungarian Chicken Noodle Soup (Húsleves)

Hungarian Chicken Noodle Soup, traditionally known as Húsleves, is a beloved classic of Hungarian home cooking. This comforting soup is made by slowly simmering chicken with root vegetables and delicate thin noodles, creating a clear, golden broth with a wonderfully rich flavor.

Simple, nourishing, and deeply comforting, Húsleves is often served as the first course of a traditional Hungarian Sunday or family meal.

What Is Hungarian Húsleves?

Húsleves literally means “meat soup” in Hungarian. Although several meats can be used, chicken is one of the most popular versions.

The secret to a beautiful Hungarian húsleves is slow cooking. The chicken and vegetables gently simmer together, allowing the broth to become flavorful while remaining clear and golden.

Traditional Hungarian soup noodles, often very thin vermicelli-style noodles, are served in the finished broth.

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 1 whole chicken, about 1.5–2 kg
• 3 liters cold water
• 3–4 carrots, peeled
• 2 parsley roots, peeled
• 1 small piece of celeriac
• 1 small onion, peeled
• 1 small tomato
• 1 small green pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1–2 teaspoons salt
• 8–10 black peppercorns
• 1–2 bay leaves, optional
• Fresh parsley

For Serving

• 150–200 g thin Hungarian soup noodles
• Fresh parsley
• Cooked carrots and other vegetables from the soup
• Pieces of tender chicken