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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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.
Believe the hype! This recipe is unreal, like others I added some turmeric just to really finish it off (first ground then fresh). EVERYONE loves this soup, it’s goodness in a bowl and it’s good for the soul! Definitely try fresh turmeric if you can get it, sends this dish from incredible to unbeatable!
I added a tbsp of turmeric and made in an insta pot and it was absolutely amazing and I already feel better. That and it was an absolute hit with most of the house, except my stubborn picky 6yr old. My 4 year old downed it and my 2 year old did too. My fiancé told me before he went to bed that he put the left overs away and I better not touch them because it was his and he didn’t want to share .
How did you make this in the IP???
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! My boys aren’t much veggies eaters just yet but they ate it and enjoyed it, my oldest called me Gordon Ramsey and THAT COMPLIMENT is fulfilling. But I know I don’t come close but still I feel amazing about it haha. I didn’t have lemon grass or paste but used lemon zest and was still divine. Thank you!
I’ve made this soup at least 3 times and making it again tonight to fight a terrible cold. It’s THE BEST chicken noodle soup ever. I always forget the fresh chives but parsley, green onion or even fresh dill on top are great! Also any small pasta or spaghetti broken into little pieces or rice works well too! Delicious!
You should add turmeric to this recipe, it has great medicinal qualities and won’t effect the taste much.
First off this looks delicious & I’d love to make the full recipe one day but right now I’m struggling with extreme nausea & can only handle soup but just the broth w/o the chunky ingredients. I’m wondering if I could still do this w/o the ckn or vegetables. I’m struggling to find good flavored broth soups that just aren’t plain ckn/beef broth. I’ve been just buying vegetable soup & not eating the veggies. I did also make ckn tortilla soup for me & my family & I just drank the liquid. This time I just wanting to make it w/o & I think the added ginger, & lemongrass will be beneficial. Also I recommend if ur struggling with health issues or need more nutrients, use bone broth instead of reg ckn broth. That’s what I’ve been doing.
I loved this soup! I used a cup of milk instead of the cup of water and then egg noodles and it was divine. Absolutely will make again!
This soup is delicious!! Flavor gets even better over several days. I used lemon zest bc couldn’t find lemongrass or the paste. I made this for my husband when he got the flu and very glad as I came down with it the next day. Very comforting, will definitely make again!
This soup is absolutely delicious! Believe the reviews! I used lemongrass paste that’s all my store carries. I’ve never had that before but it was so good and added such a good flavor to this soup! Everyone was raving about this! I will defiantly be putting this on rotation.. yum! yum! yum!!
This chicken noodle soup is like a warm hug for your immune system! The garlic, ginger, and lemon juice combo is a powerhouse of natural goodness. A must-try during flu season!