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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Exactly what I was looking for! I am feeling a little run down so googled ‘flu fighting soups’ and this was one of the first to pop up! After looking at all the reviews I had to make it! Was absolutely delicious. I omitted the lemongrass as I couldn’t get any at my supermarket, and was still fabulous without it! Such an easy soup to make. Have passed the recipe on to my family as well.
Best chicken soup I have ever made/tasted. Followed the recipe to a T and was surprised at how flavourful it was (didn’t need to add salt). Will be making this again and again:)
So good! I couldn’t find lemongrass at my grocer so I left it out and it was still amazing. Husband and 3yr old approved! Thank you!
Simply hands down the most amazing chicken soup I’ve ever had.
Nothing I write here can do it justice…
Do yourself a favour and try it today.
I promise you won’t be disappointed.
I made this recipe as I really love the flavour of lemon. The lemongrass was nice, but I did not enjoy the addition of the lemon juice prior to serving. I left it out when heating up a serve the following days and liked the taste without it. The pasta took heaps longer to cook, (I guess part of that is the brand one buys), and when the leftovers were covered and refrigerated, the pasta soaked up the liquid. I had to add more stock to each serve when reheating, and had some lovely meals. I will make it again, without the lemon juice.
I made this last night as my partner and I have got the nasty cough and sweats – I used a roasted chicken instead (I’m so lazy but it worked!) Added some sauerkraut and lentils and oh my god it’s absolutely INCREDIBLE, I can’t stop thinking about it and I think this will be a weekly staple, thank you so so much!
I make this all the time.. have for the past year or so (so I thought I better post a review? Lol).
I love this soup. I use a stick that contains a little turmeric, and I don’t really measure ingredients but it’s so forgiving.. turns out brilliant every time, regardless.
I currently have a cold and have some simmering on the stove, and I can’t wait til it’s ready. Delicious, delicious comfort, come at me 🙂
A friend and I caught a pretty nasty cold cold last week. I’m doing better, but my friend is still under the weather. When I’ve been sick, that friend has made chicken soup for me, but it always ended up kind of lifeless and bland. So, since I’m feeling better, I decided to step up and make some soup for the both of us. I found this and made this today. Comments were as follows:
This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.
This is probably the best thing you’ve ever cooked for me.
I don’t have an appetite, but I want seconds.
I can’t move… (Eats some soup)… Okay, let’s go out and do some yardwork!
Best Chicken nooodle soup…..It looks awesomely Delicious
Truly, the best chicken noodle soup ever.
Currently fighting a cold and this delicious soup was perfect! I love how healthy and easy your recipes are, I use them all the time. I had leftover already cooked chicken, so used that – and spring onions instead of chives.
This was one of the best things I’ve ever cooked/tasted! Such a beautiful flavour. I didn’t use lemongrass because I didn’t have any, but it was still fine.
I think next time I make this recipe I’ll just scrape the rosemary and thyme leaves into the pot rather than including the stick part (otherwise you have to pull it out of your mouth often while eating).
I love this dish and can’t wait to cook it for my boyfriend!!
delicious, my loved it!
Delicious! I used a rotisserie chicken instead of the thighs. I chopped it and added it at the end. The store was out of lemon grass but I found lemon grass paste. I doubled the recipe and we all loved it!
Thank you
Made this recipe this morning. Had it for dinner tonight with hand made bread. Thank for this delicious soup recipe!
Awesome! Best chicken soup I ever had. I made it for my stepdaughter because she has been congested and with flu-like symptoms. I doubled the recipe by doubling all the ingredients except the onion (I only used 1, but it was very big). I did not have lemon grass, but I added 2 more Tbsp. of lemon juice because… I love lemon! My daughter, my husband, and I ate all the soup in a day. I just made another double batch today.
This is my second time making this! I didn’t find lemongrass in my local store so that was omitted, but the soup was amazing! Best chicken soup I’ve ever mad, and the sick kids loved it
THIS RECIPE WAS STRAIGHT FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!
Without a doubt, the best chicken noodle I’ve ever eaten or made. I followed the recipe as written I felt it was necessary to ad another cup of water when I was cooking toward the end.
I just made this recipe today, my son woke up with the “stomach flu” and this recipe helps alot. Thank you! Since I didn’thave any carrots I did substitute with pumpkin pieces and it just melts in your mouth.
What if you live in an area where lemongrass just isn’t available. Any suggestions what could be substituted?
Thanks
I would recommend Cilantro/Coriander to mimic the same flavor profile as lemongrass. You don’t happen to have any Asian markets near you?