Cold Fighting Chicken Noodle Soup
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details.
The most soothing, comforting soup for flu season! So easy to make, you’ll be feeling better in no time!
Featured Comment
As flu season is among us, this chicken soup has been an absolute god-send. The veggies and garlic, ginger, lemongrass, lemon juice combo here does absolute wonders and has you feeling better and back on your feet in no time. It’s just so darn cozy and soothing, and it just warms your soul in so many ways.
why i love cold fighting chicken noodle soup
- Best kind of shortcut chicken soup that doesn’t require an entire chicken or hours of simmering
- Nourishing, brothy, soothing and satisfying even when I’m not sick
- Packed with so many cozy, healing, anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Amazingly freezer-friendly, perfect to have it ready to go next time I’m feeling under the weather
tips and tricks for success
- Use good-quality stock. The better quality your stock, the better your soup. Many brands love to pack in the salt so always opt for unsalted or a lower-sodium variety. Homemade stock is even better.
- Use ginger and lemongrass. Ginger and lemongrass are a powerhouse for colds. Both have anti-inflammatory properties, soothing sore throats and alleviating cold symptoms.
- Fresh herbs are best. Although you can certainly substitute dried herbs, fresh herbs are ideal here, delivering the best kind of flavor.
- Add freshly squeezed lemon juice. Lemon juice will elevate your chicken noodle soup, adding a fresh, bright flavor and balancing out all the saltiness and richness of the soup.
more chicken noodle soup recipes
Tools For This Recipe
Dutch oven
Cold Fighting Chicken Noodle Soup: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, chicken breasts can absolutely be used here but chicken thighs have more dark meat and a higher fat content which will yield juicier, more flavorful chicken.
If you cannot find fresh lemongrass, lemongrass paste will do wonders here.
Absolutely! But because dried herbs are often more potent/concentrated than fresh herbs, you need less when using dry. The correct ratio is 1 tablespoon fresh herbs to 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
Orzo, rotini or even elbow macaroni are great subs for the ditalini pasta.
Yes! You can freeze the leftovers without the pasta (or else they will get mushy) in individual freezer bags, thaw overnight, and reheat on the stovetop, adding freshly cooked pasta when serving.
Cold Fighting Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced lemongrass
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ¾ cup ditalini pasta
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, ginger, lemongrass, thyme and rosemary until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in chicken stock, bay leaves and 1 cup water. Add chicken and bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove chicken and shred, using two forks; set aside.
- Stir in pasta and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in chicken and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chives, if desired.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @damn_delicious on Instagram and hashtag it #damndelicious!
Fantastic and full of flavours. I also added 1tsp of tumeric and 2tsp of chilli oil which complimented the recipe well.
The best broth I have EVER made. Thank you so much for this recipe!
This recipe is perfect! Just made it and had it an hour ago and I already feel better, have been having a cold for almost a week. For those who have kids – or adults – that dislike onions, you can try blending it with the stock to camouflage it.
This soup is so easy, delicious and comforting. I used a whole lemon and radiator shaped pasta. The fresh herbs do make it. I also added some dried herbs. Easiest chicken soup I’ve made. It is now my go-to recipe.
Just what the doctor ordered. Very tasty, love the slight tartness and ginger flavor. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks!
I definitely would boil A whole chicken, that is where the gold is.
I’ve made this soup many times. It’s become a staple in my home. It’s perfect as it is, but I like to double the broth in the recipe. Since I’m making extra broth, I double the spices as well. It always comes out perfect. The ginger really clears out your sinuses!
Made this today exactly as written but omitted bay leaves and added collards from my garden and a splash of ACV. It’s amazing!
Easy and delicious!! Just what the doctor ordered!
I googled chicken noodle soup and found this recipe. It is so amazing, and I will use this from now on as my first choice for a fairly simple remedy for friends and family who are sick and in need of a good meal when they can’t cook for themselves. I tripled the recipe and saved some for us, and let me tell you, it is so flavorful and worth the effort!
Fantastic recipe. I left out the lemon juice, and lemongrass just because I didn’t have any and it still tasted wonderful. My family members who are suffering from a cold right now were so grateful to have it! Will definitely use this in the future, maybe even for Christmas day or Thanksgiving -it’s that good!
This soup is a hit every time I’ve made it! I’ve added cooked rice to it instead of pasta to make it gluten free and I’ve added vegeta into the stock as well
Best chicken soup and super flavorful! I didn’t have lemon grass and had to substitute the noodles for a small macaroni noodle but it was perfect. I prefer the chicken thigh meat in my soup too. Doesn’t dry out and adds loads of flavor.
BEST SOUP EVER!!! If you are on the fence about the ginger and lemongrass, don’t be. It is a subtle PERFECT hint! My husband was sick and I made it. Everyone loved it and they asked me again the next day for another batch!
Made it for my sick adult kids – rave reviews!
I added fresh cayenne and a bit more ginger to make it the perfect flu-fighter! Asian fish-sauce also tastes great in this soup if you want even mord glamour:)
This was the best soup I’ve made! I substituted leek for the onion and added in fresh oregano. My boyfriend (basically Gordon Ramsay) even loved it!
Best part of having a cold is eating this soup! I add miso, curry spice, and mineral drops for their healing properties!
It was damn delicious! The family is sick so I prepped a batch of this. Thank you!
This soup is unreal. SO delicious. It’s herby and lemony. Perfect for when you’re sick or anytime! Seriously the best chicken soup I’ve had.