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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YOU ARE INCREDIBL AMAZING…EVER SINGLE ONE OF YOUR RECIPES I HAVE TRIED HAVE BEEN FABULOUS! THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION AND RECIPES THAT HAVE BECOME PART OF MY FAMILY TRADITION.
I have tried 3 of your recipes and this makes 4 in a row!! Keep em coming! You’re a top shelf gal!
Omg I am in love with this recipe! I feel like a chef! I was looking for something to help my son’s horrible cough on google this popped up and I am in love with this recipe! From now on I’ll always make this when we get sick! Delicious
This is amazing!!! I have cooked it several times, and it is really delicious! I always triple the garlic in anything I cook. That’s the only difference I made to the recipe.
Tastes AMAZING and LOVE all the fresh ingredients.
This recipe is great! The second time I added a little fresh dill and it was a game changer 10/10 recommend
I am pregnant and have been feeling under the weather with a cold. This soup was perfect for my depleted appetite and even made my throat stop hurting for a bit. Definitely a new favorite!
Delicious! Love the flavours of the fresh rosemary and thyme combined with the lemongrass and lemon. My partner who isn’t a soup fan even went back for seconds.
Excellent! And I’ve been making soups for a long time.
The rosemary and thyme add an interesting finish on the back end. As did the hint of lemon.
Didn’t have lemongrass but will try next time.
Also used large bok choy stems in lieu of celery (as I often do)
then thre in ripped pieces of the leaf the last 5 minutes.
This will be my go-to chicken soup now! Really flavorful !!
Wow wow wow!! This recipe is a game changer! All the fresh ingredients really bumped up this classic recipe! The lemongrass was a challenge to find, but I found it at sprouts in the herbs section. And I didn’t find fresh chives so I excluded that. But this soup was still amazing! I will be sure to find fresh chives next time I make this!
Is there a substitute if you can’t find lemongrass?
I can get fresh lemongrass easily, but still always opt for the lemongrass purée, sold in a tube. I think the brand is Gourmet Garden. Fresh lemongrass is notoriously fibrous & difficult to work with.
This is a fantastic soup! I add more chicken, but that is just our preference.
This quickly became my go to recipe for when I’m feeling under the weather! I found it one day when I had a bit of an upset stomach, I was craving a nice chicken and vegetable soup that wasn’t too rich and wasn’t creamy. I tried this soup and fell in love instantly, not only does it taste DELICIOUS, but it’s light and easy on an upset stomach. Now I make this whenever anyone in the family isn’t feeling well, we all love it!
This soup is so delicious and satisfying and comforting, and has become a family-favorite recipe.
HOLY COW!!!! This is the MOST delicious soup I’ve EVER made❤️❤️. Made for a friend sick with Covid but had a taster bowl, as the chef should……wow. Will be putting this one in the family cookbook.
This is my go-to recipe for chicken noodle soup. The lemon at the end makes it simply perfect. I also like the use of thighs instead of breasts – my kids prefer this recipe to any other recipe option!
Incredible taste! My family loved it!
I did not have noodles, so I added chickpeas instead and was very comforting and nourishing 🙂
Absolutely wonderful soup. My boyfriend has been sick for over two weeks and couldn’t kick it. Runny nose, congestion, fever. Felt 100% better next day. Currently making it now for a sick family member.
This is a phenomenal soup recipe! Truly, people who eat it say, “damn this is delicious!” I add twice as much fresh garlic and a level tablespoon Of fresh rosemary and a slightly less than a tablespoon if I use ground thyme. Sometimes I add more chicken if it is for a main dish. Otherwise this is a perfect recipe!
Just made a batch and the home has a wonderful aroma. The fresh herbs, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, ginger and lemon are a wonderful combination. Sure to cure! Great Chicken Soup Recipe/ a keeper just the was it is.