Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a baking sheet with a little bit of oil or butter. Set aside. [ignore this step if you are making to give as gifts]
Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer and mix on medium-low speed until completely combined.
Beat in egg and vanilla, scraping down sides half way through mixing.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add mixture to butter-sugar mixture, scraping down sides half way through mixing. Mix just until combined {don't over mix}.
Fold in chocolate chips. Drop tablespoon-sized spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 7-8 minutes until cookies are set {they will cook a little more on the baking sheet}. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy!
For gift giving:
Ignore the instruction to preheat oven and grease baking sheet. Prepare the dough and roll into tablespoon sized balls. Put in an airtight container lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Include the instructions for cooking: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a baking sheet with a little bit of oil or butter. Set aside. Put balls of dough onto a greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 7-10 minutes {depending on if dough is refrigerated or frozen} until cookies are set {they will cook a little more on the baking sheet}. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy!
Notes
*The dough can be frozen for up to two months. You will need to increase baking time by a minute or two if the dough is frozen.