This chicken noodle soup is a life saver when the whole family is down with a bad cold. It’s made with basic, pantry staple ingredients, and everything comes together in less than an hour, making it a great weeknight dinner during the cold and dreary winter. The whole family will be coming back for seconds of this delicious soup.
Ingredient Breakdown & Substitutions
Here, we’ll explore the essential components of this beloved dish, offering practical substitutions and tips to tailor it to your family’s tastes and dietary needs. This section is your guide to understanding each ingredient’s role and how you can adapt them for a soup that’s both delicious and personalized.
Chicken: The star of the dish, chicken provides protein and depth of flavor. While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are commonly used for their lean texture, you can also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor, or leftover rotisserie. For a vegetarian version, a mix of hearty vegetables like mushrooms and beans can be excellent substitutes.
Noodles: Egg noodles are traditional for their tender texture, but any pasta shape works well. For a healthier twist, try whole wheat noodles. Gluten-free options like rice noodles or quinoa pasta are great for those with dietary restrictions.
Vegetables: Carrots and celery are staples for their crunch and nutrient content. You can also add peas, green beans, or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition. In colder months, root vegetables like parsnips or turnips can add a hearty element.
Broth: Chicken broth forms the soup’s base, providing a rich, savory liquid. Vegetable broth is a perfect vegetarian alternative. For a low-sodium option, choose unsalted broths or make your own to control the salt level.
Herbs & Spices: Thyme and oregano are traditional, but there’s room for creativity. Basil adds freshness, rosemary offers a woodsy aroma, and bay leaves impart a subtle depth. For a bit of heat, consider a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Garlic and Onion: Fundamental for flavor, these can be adjusted according to taste. Shallots can be a milder substitute for onions, and garlic powder can replace fresh garlic for a subtler flavor.
Olive Oil & Butter: Used for sautéing, these fats add richness. Olive oil can be substituted with other vegetable oils, and butter can be replaced with a plant-based alternative for dairy-free diets.
Cream (Optional for Variations): Heavy cream adds richness for a creamy twist. A plant-based half and half or heavy cream alternative can be used if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dried herbs work well too. Just use them in smaller quantities (approximately 1/3 of the amount of fresh herbs), as they are more potent.
Yes, but it’s best to freeze it without the noodles as they can become mushy when thawed.
Visual Guide to Making Chicken Noodle Soup
Variations
For a creamy twist, add 2 cups of heavy cream in during the last few minutes of cooking.
To increase the nutritional content and protein, add 1 cup of frozen peas and let them heat through while you shred your chicken.
Troubleshooting
- Soup too thick? Add more broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Lacking flavor? Adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs.
- Noodles overcooked? Next time, add them later in the cooking process to avoid them getting too soft.
Tips From the Chef
- Cook noodles separately if planning to store leftovers, to avoid them soaking up too much broth.
- Shred the chicken finely for a more consistent texture.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for a fresh flavor boost.
- Sauté vegetables until just tender to retain their texture and nutrients.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Chicken noodle soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months. When reheating, gently warm it on the stove and add additional broth if needed. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
More Amazing Soup Recipes
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
This has become my favorite winter time soup! I too, like to add the chili pepper flakes for a lil kick and I always add a bit more garlic and extra broth. This recipe is delicious!!!
This is a good, simple recipe. I wasn’t sure about the ginger, but it ends up being a nice addition. My only recommendation would be to not add the egg noodles to the pot – keep them separate! They absorb a lot of broth, in fact, by the next day there was virtually no broth left in the pot – thankfully I had more broth on hand.
A great hearty soup. Made for dinner last night. So easy to prepare. The Ginger added a great flavor.
So easy and a great hearty meal. Made last night as the snow was falling. And the temperature was falling outside.
I made this soup for my dad as a cold weather warm up lunch for when he goes out to work. I waddle did not have ginger and forgot to buy it. But I did have a bunch of nice herbs from my garden so I think that made up for it. I just bundled them to feather and threw them in whole to fish out later. The whole house smells so nice and my doggies are looking forward to have some of the left over chicken for dinner. (I used one and a half chickens cuz my dad likes it loaded. ) I also made my own noodles for this and it turned out wonderful!!!
Is it possible to freeze the leftover soup?
Yup, the noodles sometimes get a little bit mushy though.
Yes, but let soup cool and then into refrigerator over night before putting in freezer. This prevents hot soup in the middle of container from forming bacteria. I use canning jars and microwave to defrost individual servings.
For the first time I made this a couple of days ago. I was amazed at how delicious it was an easy to make I ate it all in two days time I’m embarrassed to say I love it.
Hello! I made this soup just last night. It was delicious and easy to make. Thanks,
Very easy, very good, it’s PERFECT!! Husband was sick we were out of soup, but I had all of these ingredients, so it turned out FABULOUS!! It’ll definitely be a saved favorite from now on!! Thx
So easy and that’s what I like. I’m not an accomplished chef or cook by any means, so this recipe and the accompanying video is what I need to be at least presentable ~! Thanks.
Making this tonight — cold and rainy, perfect day for CNS!