Published: by Cheryl Whyte · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments
ThisNourishing Chicken No Noodle Soupis not only delicious but makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a cozy blanket. With tender chicken, a rich golden broth, and plenty of herbs and vegetables, it’s wholesome, hearty, and will warm you up from the inside out.
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this RECIPE
Classic chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food, providing nourishment and lifting your spirits. It’s my solution to a craving for a hearty, wholesome meal. And it’s especially welcome when you’re feeling a little bit under the weather and in need of some TLC.
If you’re a fan of comforting and healthy recipes like this one, check out my Chicken Chasseur, Creamy Sweet Potato Coconut and Chilli Soup (Vegan), or this Roasted Butternut and Carrot Soup.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy and wholesome. This soup has plenty of lean chicken, hearty chicken stock, and colorful vegetables. It’s a nutritional powerhouse that’s good for you and tastes amazing.
- Simple ingredients. We’re talking about real food ingredients, the kind you can find at your local grocery store. No fancy stuff, just pure goodness.
- Freezer-friendly. Make abig batchand enjoy a bowl of soup when you’re cravingcomfort food. It’s thebest soupon achilly day.
- Allergy-friendly. This stovetop soup isdairy-free,gluten-free,nut-free, and egg-free. It’s also paleo-friendly,keto, and suitable for low-carb diets.
Ingredients
If, like me, you’re embracing the coziness ofsoup seasonduring thesecolder months, I’ve got you covered. All the ingredients you’ll need are right here.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Chicken Breasts: Lean, protein-packed, whole chicken breasts will simmer in broth, and then they’re shredded at the end. This way, you’ll get flavorful and tender chicken in every spoonful.
- Low Sodium Chicken Stock: The base of this soup. Opt for a low-sodium stock to control the salt content. You can use either chicken stock or chicken broth, but since this ingredient plays a crucial role in the soup’s taste, choose a brand you love. Even better, use homemade chicken stock for an extra boost of flavor.
- Carrots and Celery: Classic soup vegetables that add layers of flavor and bring an array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the party.
- Onion and Garlic: Aromatic superstars, the onion and garlic will infuse the soup with rich and savory depth.
- Zucchini: Adds texture and extra nutrients.
- Dried Herbs: A trio of dried rosemary, dried thyme, and bay leaves will work their magic to infuse the soup with herby-savory goodness.
- Ground Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric adds a golden hue and a healthful kick.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A healthy fat loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, that helps the onions and garlic to sweeten and caramelize.
- Salt and Pepper: To season and boost the overall taste.
Instructions
These visual step-by-step instructions provide a quick overview of the recipe. You can find the recipe card with the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions at the bottom of this post. ⇩
Chicken no noodle soup is incredibly simple to make in your own kitchen. Here’s how to make this easy recipe in eight simple steps.
1: Grind Herbs (optional)
First thing, if you have a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, give the dried thyme, but particularly the rosemary, a grind. It will improve the overall texture of the broth.
2: Sauté
Heat a littleoilover medium high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the choppedonionandgarlicand sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3: Add Turmeric
Add the turmeric, stir to coat the onions and garlic, and cook for about a minute to release its flavor.
4: Add Chicken
Add the raw chicken breasts to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they start to turn white on the outside.
5: Add Stock
Pour in the chicken stock, add the sliced carrots, celery, bay leaf, ground thyme, and rosemary, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
6: Add Zucchini (Courgette)
Add thezucchini to the simmering broth for the final 6 minutes. You want the chicken to be fully cooked through and the vegetables to have softened with a nice bite.
7: Shred Chicken
Once fully cooked, remove the chicken from the soup and shred it using two forks.
8: Finishing Touches
Return the tender chicken meat to the pot. Adjust the seasoning as needed and remove the bay leaf. Serve the chicken soup hot, and garnish with fresh herbs if you’d like.
Cheryl’s Tips
Use quality ingredients. To create the most flavorful chicken no-noodle chicken soup, start with high-quality ingredients. Choose chicken raised on high-quality feed for a rich, natural flavor, and select fresh, crisp vegetables for vibrant colors and great taste.
Make your own stock. While store-bought broth offers convenience, nothing beats the rich, deep flavor of homemade chicken stock. It’s also easier to make than you might think. Just simmer chicken bones, veggies, and herbs in water until the stock is rich and flavorful. If you want to give it a go, grab my Easy Chicken Stock Recipe. Or buy a store-bought stock that’s low in salt and contains natural ingredients.
Avoid overcooking the chicken. Even though you are cooking the chicken in liquid, overcooking can turn the chicken rubbery and unpleasant. Aim for a gentle simmer and remove the chicken from the pot as soon as it’s cooked through to retain its tenderness and moisture.
Don’t overcook the vegetables. Overcooked vegetables are mushy and bland. Cook them just enough that they retain their vibrant color and have a nice bite, and their natural flavors will shine through.
Substitutions
- Chicken Breast:Boneless, skinlesschicken thighsare agreat optionif you preferdark meatand want a slightly richer flavor from your chicken. If you’re short on time, you could also use shreddedstore-bought rotisserie chickenor last night’sleftover chickenroast.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: If you don’t have low-sodium broth, you can use regular broth and adjust the salt accordingly. Alternatively, homemade chicken stock is fantastic. You could also use vegetable broth if you’d prefer.
- Zucchini: Feel free to use other green vegetables like spinach, kale, or green beans.
- Ground Turmeric: About a half-inch of grated fresh turmeric root can be used instead of ground turmeric for a more intense flavor.
- Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried. One tablespoon of each chopped rosemary and chopped thyme should do the trick!
Variations
- Classic Chicken Noodle Soup: For a chicken soup that contains noodles, opt for brown pasta for extra fiber. Spaghetti, fusilli, risoni (orzo), and shells all work well in this recipe. However, I do like to cook the noodles in a separate pot to avoid the starchy liquid from changing the flavor and texture of the broth. Add the cooked pasta to a bowl and pour chicken soup over the top.
- Gluten-FreeHomemade Chicken Noodle Soup:Zucchini noodles(courgette), spiralized butternut squash, orspaghetti squashmake brilliant gluten-free noodles. Add them to the soup for the last couple of minutes of cooking. They take no time at all to cook.
- Chicken Soup with Grains:If you’re looking for a heartier alternative to pasta noodles in your chicken soup, try experimenting with grains like barley, bulger, brown rice, quinoa, freekeh, and amaranth. Brownrice noodlesare also agreat option. Again, I’d cook them separately from thechicken broth soup.
Topping Ideas
Customize your soup just how you like it with some fun toppings.
- Fresh Herbs:Add freshness and color with finely chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro (coriander), or chives.
- Grated Cheese: Sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan, Pecorino, or Asiago cheese over your soup for some creamy saltiness.
- Croutons:Crispy homemade croutons provide a satisfying crunch.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:Swirl into the soup for some creamy tanginess.
- Avocado Slices:Thin slices of ripe avocado bring a creamy, buttery texture to your soup.
- Bacon Bits:Crispy bacon bits offer a smoky, savory dimension that’s hard to resist.
- Lemon Zest:Grate fresh lemon zest over your soup for a bright, zesty kick.
- Spice:Drizzle a few drops of hot sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes (red chilli flakes) over your soup if you crave heat.
Health Benefits
Chicken soup has been a popular remedy for colds and flu for centuries. But does it actually work, or is it just an old wives’ tale?
While chicken soup is no cure for the common cold, studies have shown that chicken soup may indeed have some medicinal properties, easing the symptoms of respiratory infections. [Source]
So, how does a humble homemade chicken soup work its magic? Well, the effectiveness lies in its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients [Source]. Here are just a few examples:
- Chicken is a rich source of protein that plays a role in producing antibodies to help the body fight off viruses. [Source]
- Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties. [Source]
- Carrots, celery, and zucchini are rich in vitamin C, contributing to overall immune health. [Source]
- Thyme and rosemary are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help boost immunity [Source]
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Alternatively, freeze leftover soup in freezer-safe airtight containers, soup pots, or freezer bags. To make life easier, freeze the soup in portions to make serving and reheating easier. For best results, freeze the soup for up to3 monthsand defrost before reheating.
FAQs
Does chicken no-noodle soup contain gluten?
No. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use a gluten-free stock or broth.
Is chicken no-noodle soup healthy?
Yes, this homemade noodleless chicken soup is healthy. It contains plenty of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it nutritious and nourishing.
Can I make chicken no noodle soup in a slow cooker or Crock Pot?
Absolutely. Start by placing your chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add in all the chopped vegetables and garlic. Sprinkle the herbs and spices over the ingredients. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth until all the ingredients are submerged. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, you can remove the chicken breasts, shred them using two forks, and then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. This step allows the chicken to soak up the flavors of the soup.
More Soup Recipes
Looking for more delicious and nutritious soup recipes? Try these next time…
- Creamy Sweet Potato Coconut and Chilli Soup (Vegan)
- Vegan Cauliflower Soup
- Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Easy Chicken Stock Recipe
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📖 Recipe
Nourishing Chicken No Noodle Soup with Vegetables
Author: Cheryl Whyte
ThisNourishing Chicken No Noodle Soupis not only delicious but makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a cozy blanket. With tender chicken, a rich golden broth, and plenty of herbs and vegetables, it’s wholesome, hearty, and will warm you up from the inside out.
If you love this recipe, rate it with 5 stars below!
5 from 3 votes
PRINT PIN RATE
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Calories: 206kcal
Equipment
Spice Grinder, or Mortar and Pestal (optional)
Dutch Oven, or Large Stock Pot
Garlic Press
Kitchen Spatula
2 Forks
Ladle
Ingredients
- 1½ teaspoons dried thyme
- 1½ teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6½ cups (1½ liters) chicken stock, or broth
- 2 large carrots, peeled, ends removed, sliced into half-moons
- 2 celery stalks, trimmed, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes, omit if your stock already contains salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 zucchini (courgette), ends removed, sliced into half-moons
Instructions
Preparation: Gather your ingredients and get your equipment ready.
Grind Herbs (optional): If you have a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, give thedried thyme, but particularly therosemary, a grind. It will improve their texture in the broth.
Sauté: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the extra virgin olive oilover medium heat. Add the choppedonionandgarlicand sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
Add Turmeric: Add theturmeric, stir to coat the onions and garlic, and cook for about a minute to release its flavor.
Add Chicken: Add thechickenbreasts to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they start to turn white on the outside.
Add Stock: Pour in thechicken brothand add the slicedcarrots,celery,bay leaf, groundthyme, androsemary, and season withsaltandpepper.
Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. You want the chicken to be fully cooked through and the vegetables to have softened with a nice bite.
Add Zucchini: Add thezucchini (courgette) to the simmering broth for the final 6 minutes.
Shred Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked (see note 1), remove it from the soup, place it onto a plate or cutting board, and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf, ladle the hot soup into bowls, and garnish with fresh parsley if you’d like. Enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: Chicken breast is fully cooked when no pink remains and its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). To ensure it’s thoroughly cooked but still tender and juicy, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the breast.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Alternatively, freeze leftover soup in freezer-safe airtight containers, soup pots, or freezer bags. To make life easier, freeze the soup in portions to make serving and reheating easier. For best results, freeze the soup for up to3 months—Defrostbefore reheating.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 206kcal (10%) | Carbohydrates: 15g (5%) | Protein: 20g (40%) | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Cholesterol: 44mg (15%) | Sodium: 653mg (28%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 7g (8%)
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated using an online nutrition calculator. For accuracy, we recommend you calculate using the exact ingredients and brands you used.
Course | Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine | American, British, Chinese
Keyword | chicken noodle soup no cream, chicken noodle soup no flour, chicken soup recipes, chicken vegetable soup, healthy chicken noodle soup without noodles, keto chicken noodle soup, keto chicken soup, soups without noodles
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Share a photo and tag @therealfoodgeek so I can see all your delicious creations!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Sarah
Absolutely delicious, easy to make and healthy! Love it and have made it a few times now.Reply
Cheryl Whyte
Amazing! Thank you so much for the lovely review, Sarah! I’m so glad you love it! xo.
Reply
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide you with information about the concepts used in this article. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:
Nourishing Chicken No Noodle Soup
- The article discusses a recipe for a nourishing chicken soup that doesn't include noodles.
- The soup is described as delicious, comforting, and wholesome, with tender chicken, a rich golden broth, and plenty of herbs and vegetables.
- The recipe aims to provide nourishment and warmth, making it a great option for cold or under-the-weather days.
Ingredients
- The recipe calls for various ingredients, including:
- Lean chicken breasts: These are simmered in broth and then shredded.
- Low-sodium chicken stock: This serves as the base of the soup.
- Carrots and celery: These classic soup vegetables add flavor and nutrients.
- Onion and garlic: These aromatic ingredients infuse the soup with rich and savory depth.
- Zucchini: This adds texture and extra nutrients.
- Dried herbs: A combination of dried rosemary, dried thyme, and bay leaves infuse the soup with herby-savory goodness.
- Ground turmeric: This adds a golden hue and a healthful kick.
- Extra virgin olive oil: This healthy fat helps sweeten and caramelize the onions and garlic.
- Salt and pepper: These are used to season the soup.
Instructions
- The article provides step-by-step instructions for making the chicken no-noodle soup.
- The instructions include sautéing the onion and garlic, adding the chicken and other ingredients, simmering the soup, and finally shredding the cooked chicken and returning it to the pot.
- The soup is then seasoned to taste and served hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.
Tips, Substitutions, and Variations
- The article provides tips for making the soup, such as using quality ingredients, making homemade chicken stock, and avoiding overcooking the chicken and vegetables.
- It also suggests substitutions for ingredients like chicken breast, low-sodium chicken broth, zucchini, and dried herbs.
- Variations of the soup are mentioned, including classic chicken noodle soup with brown pasta, gluten-free options using zucchini noodles or spiralized butternut squash, and options with grains like barley or brown rice.
Health Benefits
- The article mentions that chicken soup has been a popular remedy for colds and flu for centuries.
- While it's not a cure for the common cold, studies have shown that chicken soup may have some medicinal properties and can help ease the symptoms of respiratory infections.
- The soup's immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as chicken, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme, and rosemary, contribute to its potential health benefits.
Storage and FAQs
- The article provides information on storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
- It also answers frequently asked questions, such as whether the soup contains gluten, its overall healthiness, and whether it can be made in a slow cooker or Crock Pot.
Please note that the information provided above is a summary of the concepts used in this article. For more detailed instructions and specific measurements, I recommend referring to the original article.
