Start by cooking the chicken in boiling water or broth until cooked through, then shred it into tender strips and set aside. In your large pot, bring the chicken broth to a gentle simmer, releasing fragrant thyme leaves and minced garlic into the bubbling liquid, filling the kitchen with a cozy aroma.
Add the shredded chicken to the simmering broth, letting it soak up the flavors while you prepare the noodles. Drop in the egg noodles in batches, stirring gently and allowing each batch to cook until just tender, resulting in soft, plump noodles that soak up the broth beautifully.
Stir in the heavy cream and soy sauce, swirling until the soup takes on a luscious, slightly velvety appearance. Keep the heat at a gentle simmer; this helps the flavors meld together and prevents the cream from curdling.
Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper as needed. If the soup tastes too salty, add a couple of slices of potato to the broth and simmer for a few minutes—then remove the potatoes before serving, which helps neutralize excess salt.
Once the noodles are tender and the broth is rich and fragrant, turn off the heat. Shred some hot chicken directly into the pot for juicy bites. Give everything a gentle stir and let it rest for a minute to settle the flavors.
Serve the soup hot, ladling it into bowls that reveal the tender noodles, shredded chicken, and creamy broth. Garnish with a sprig of thyme or a crack of black pepper if desired, and enjoy the comforting aroma and hearty texture of this classic yet special chicken noodle soup.