Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.
In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and salt together.
In another large bowl, using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and mixed together well.
Add the egg and vanilla and mix on low speed.
Gradually add the flour mixture and mix in until just incorporated.
Add chocolate chips and stir with a wooden spoon, again no overmixing, just until incorporated.
Add optional add-ins if you like.
Using a cookie scoop or rolling into 1.5 inch balls, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie dough ball.
Bake the cookies until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Less time for smaller cookies and more time for larger.
Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Serve warm and enjoy!