Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
If time allows, cover the dough and chill for 20–30 minutes for thicker cookies.
Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough per cookie onto your baking sheet, leaving space for spreading. Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
