Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients needed

I really appreciate a good chicken noodle soup recipe with classic ingredients. Panera Bread makes a super tasty all-natural chicken noodle soup and after enjoying a cup, recently, I decided to come home and recreate the deliciousness. Here’s everything you’ll need to do the same:

• Olive oil. For sautéing the veggies.
• Vegetables. This nourishing soup includes plenty of vitamins and minerals thanks to the addition of onions, celery, carrots and garlic.
• Chicken broth. For the base of this soup, we suggest a high-quality, flavorful low-sodium chicken broth. Use low sodium for more control over the saltiness of the dish.
• Seasonings. A blend of salt, pepper, a bay leaf, thyme leaves, onion powder, and celery seed provide wonderful flavor.
• Pasta. Use any noodles you prefer. We typically use simple spiral noodles, like rotini.
• Chicken. A whopping 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken, gives this a boost of protein.
• Lemon juice & parsley. For a pop of color and freshness, we’re mixing in chopped fresh parsley and, as a finishing touch, a squeeze of fresh lemon.

How to make this recipe

You’ll definitely agree with me, when I tell you that my version of Panera Bread’s chicken noodle soup turned out even tastier than the original. This is one of the easiest soups to whip up in a flash (especially when you use shredded rotisserie chicken), the ingredients are inexpensive and it feeds a crowd. Here’s the simple process:

1. Sauté veggies. Heat oil in large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery and carrots to the pan; cook, stirring frequently, for about 9 minutes or until carrots are tender. Add garlic and cook one minute more.
2. Add broth and other ingredients. Pour in broth and stir in seasonings to combine and bring to a boil. Add pasta and chicken, reduce to low heat; gently boil or simmer for 10 minutes or until the noodles are done to your likeness.
3. Serve. Add lemon juice and fresh parsley before serving. Remove bay leaf. Taste and add additional salt, if needed. Serve it as-is or with some crusty bread with butter or crackers on the side. This would also pair nicely with a fresh green salad.

Variations

I typically make this recipe exactly as written, but sometimes I add other ingredients to the mix that I happen to have on hand. Here’s some options:

• Beans. Canned beans are a great addition to this soup. Cannellini beans or Great Northern beans would work. For a vegetarian version, use veggie broth and try this chickpea noodle soup.
• Vegetables. You can add other veggies to this soup such as corn, green beans, peas, tomatoes or potatoes.
• Noodles. Try bowtie pasta, egg noodles or small shell pasta instead of the rotini.

Expert tips

• Time-saving tip. To save time, buy pre-cut onion, celery ribs and carrots in either the produce or freezer department. No need to thaw before sautéing. You can even buy minced garlic in a jar.
• Soup consistency. We like this soup to be nice and chunky, with a bold, flavorful broth. So, we use 4 cups of chicken broth and really pack in the chicken and veggies. Feel free to use another cup or two of chicken broth or even water, if you prefer more liquid to your soup.
• Check the seasoning. Before serving, give this a quick taste test. If it seems to lack flavor, it may just need a pinch more of salt and/or pepper. To enhance the flavors, add some acidity and herbs. We love to finish this soup with a squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Slow cooker method

1. To make crockpot chicken noodle soup, use 1 pound of raw chicken breast or add the rotisserie (or cooked) chicken into the soup at the very end of cooking.
2. Add all ingredients except for the pasta to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 8 hours.
3. Remove the chicken and shred, then return to the crockpot with the cooked pasta and serve with fresh parsley for garnish. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Instant pot method

1. To make instant pot chicken noodle soup, use 1 pound of raw chicken breast. Turn on the sauté function and add olive oil with onions, celery, carrot, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent, stirring occasionally, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the chicken, broth, bay leaf and other seasonings.
3. Cook on manual setting on high for a total time of 10 minutes, then release naturally.
4. Once the pressure is released, remove the lid and take out the chicken breast, remove and discard the bay leaf. Shred chicken with a fork.
5. Set pressure cooker to sauté. Once broth begins to boil, add noodles and allow to simmer 6-8 minutes or until tender.
6. Stir in chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with fresh parsley for garnish.

Frequently asked questions

Storage recommendations

In the refrigerator, homemade chicken noodle soup will last about 5 days in an airtight container. Rewarm leftovers in a large pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a bit more broth or water, as needed. You can also reheat this soup in the microwave until hot. 

Freezing suggestions

This is perfect for making ahead or making a double batch and freezing. Just make the recipe as written except for adding in the noodles. Cool the soup down completely, seal tightly in a container, and freeze.

When you’re ready to defrost, refrigerate the day before. Reheat on the stove in a saucepan and add cooked noodles at that time. It will keep fresh in the freezer for about 4 months.

Recommended Tools 

• Programmable slow cooker – I love that this slow cooker is affordable and can be programmed. It also holds 6 quarts, which is a great size for most things that I make.
• Ladle – A good ladle is a must when you make soup as often as I do! It’s the best way to fill your bowls and storage containers with soup.
• Dutch oven – If you decide to make your soup over the stovetop, you’ll need a large soup pot or a dutch oven. This one is a favorite of mine.

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.