Cold Fighting Chicken Noodle Soup
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The most soothing, comforting soup for flu season! So easy to make, you’ll be feeling better in no time!
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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.
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I have colitis and have been in a horrible flare for the last week. I made this last night (it’s my go-to chicken noodle) and it was so soothing and zero tummy troubles. I wonder if it’s the ginger? Either way, my favorite recipe!!
My husband and I have been blessed during the last 4 years to not have even a sniffle. However, he tested positive for covid 3 days ago. I decided to make chicken soup because I wanted to fill him up with something hearty and nutritionally packed. I googled chicken soup for fighting a cold or flu. This recipe was the second recipe I looked at and I went to the store for all the ingredients I don’t keep in my pantry. The store did not have fresh ginger or fresh lemongrass. So I bought Gourmet Garden lemongrass paste and Ginger paste. I also boiled a whole chicken for the broth and to put to have cooked chicken. Those were the only changes I made to the recipe and we were both amazed at how delicious it is! Very easy, except for the chopping. It is a very healthy and satisfying soup! I will make this often, I have a feeling.
My boyfriend and I are quite sick and were craving something brothy, but substantial and this recipe hit the spot! It was absolutely incredible and I will definitely be making it again. I made a few adjustments: substituted the lemongrass with fresh turmeric root, used 2 cups of beef bone broth (would have used chicken but beef is what I had on hand) and 3 cups of chicken stock, added a little extra thyme and rosemary because we both love herbs, included crushed red pepper flakes for some heat, and served it up with a soft boiled jammy egg and some Valentina.❤️ For the quality and taste of this recipe, it took no time at all which is perfect for a sickling like me.
my favorite chicken soup recipe!! i added a little turmeric and some broccoli and it was probably the best soup i’ve ever made.
My partner has made this at least 4 times since I discovered this recipe. It is one of my favourites! It is hearty, filling and ‘damn delicious’. Would highly recommend!
We love hearing that! Thanks for sharing, Stacey-Leigh!
Wow, this takes chicken soup to another level! I was looking for something to kick this cold in the butt but have found my new go to for any chicken soup occasion! Delicious, thank you! Sincerely, someone who rarely leaves a review!
This has become my favorite chicken soup recipe! I tweaked it a little, adding a can of small white beans, baby spinach, chicken stock base, and red pepper flakes. I also find it easier to cube the chicken before adding, rather than shredding it after cooking. It’s so good that I double the recipe and freeze containers for later.
Taste is very good. I added lime, jalapeño, and left out the thyme and lemongrass. I’m not in love with the texture of boiled chicken thighs so I might have to try again later with breast. I’m also scared about it being undercooked but it was at a full boil for 15 minutes with the thighs and totally opaque. So I think it’s fine
Best soup ever! So delicious.
I have tried that for my children and they love it.. thank you!
Definitely the best chicken soup I’ve ever tasted. I added some mushrooms and it was absolutely amazing and so soothing.
Amazing!!! I love this soup and will now continue making it this way forever
This was delicious! I followed the directions but used gnocchi instead of pasta (gf). I made it because my daughter is sick with a cold, and she enjoyed it also. Would recommend over and over! Thanks for sharing!
I didnt add the ginger or the lemon grass because I know my families tastes and this was delicious. I think next time I’ll make it with double the broth since the noodles soaked it up pretty well but beyond that I’d say amazing! My husband is always nervous when I try a new recipe and his eyes widened with glee after he tasted it.
This is my go-to for homemade Chicken Noodle – thank you!
Made this for my boyfriend when he got sick and he absolutely loved it. I only made this since I shocking had like 99% of the ingredients so I only have to stop by the store for celery and rosemary. This recipe is much more elevated than the chicken soup I normally make. Book marking this website and will 100% make it when we’re sick or it’s very cold.
So yummy! The first time I made this I was getting over covid. My husband is a sweetie and usually cooks for me when I am sick, but he was out of town for work. I did a grocery delivery and prepared the soup myself. It was life giving and really helped me feel better. I talked it up so much that he wanted to try it, so today I made it for the second time. He loved it! This is now my go to chicken soup recipe!
Great tasting soup very easy to make and freeze the left over
Can this be frozen?
Yes ! I make and freeze all the time no issue
This is SOOOOO good!!! We could taste so many different flavors & they all blended so well. This is my new go to chicken noodle soup recipe.
Made this but I couldn’t find lemongrass and made the soup spicy , and it turned out phenomenal. Absolutely delicious
This is my go to recipe to make when someone is sick. It tastes amazing and everyone absolutely raves about it! I’ve made it exactly as written but I will say that everyone prefers it without the lemon juice. I’ve also made a vegetarian version with veggie broth and beans instead of chicken, which is every bit as good as the original, if not better.