Easy Cheater Chicken Noodle Soup is just what the doctor ordered. Full of healthy vegetables, you can whip this feel-good soup in 20 minutes and serve!
I was bragging to Jillian the other day as she was nursing her cold that I hadn’t gotten sick yet this season (a mini miracle with two kids) as I smugly stirred one of the dishes for our Christmas dinner. And then BAM, just like a big slap of karma upside the head, I got sick. Granted it was probably from drinking out of her wine glass over the holidays (I can never keep ours straight), but that’s the last time I say something ridiculous like that. I had it coming.
So here I am, sniffling away looking like Rudolph wrapped up in 5 blankets, and the only thing I want is chicken noodle soup. But I don’t want something out of a can. But I also don’t want to slave over a stove as I would normally do to make homemade soup. May I present my compromise, which may have been the best chicken noodle soup I’ve made? At least that’s what Charles told me, but he’s also feeling sorry for me so it’s hard to trust him right now 😉
How to make homemade chicken noodle soup
I used organic chicken from a local farm (Charles and I swear it tastes a million times better) and loaded it with veggies that you have (you can even increase them or add extra like corn if your kids love a certain veggie). Alternately, you can simply throw in some shredded or diced leftover roast chicken. Whether you’re sick or not this soup can be whipped up in 20 minutes and is an easy way to get kids to eat a few extra veggies! Don’t forget the herbs! I also love incorporating some fresh dill or parsley for some added herbaceous flavour.
Cheater Chicken Noodle Soup
Cheater Chicken Noodle Soup
Easy Cheater Chicken Noodle Soup is just what the doctor ordered. Full of healthy vegetables, you can whip this feel-good soup in 20 minutes and serve!
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked macaroni, small shell pasta or rotini*
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cups diced celery
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 diced chicken breasts (raw)
- 10 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill or parsley, packed
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles until al dente. Drain the noodles and set aside.
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While the pasta cooks, in a larger stock pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are fragrant and transparent, about 3 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and cook until the veggies are tender, about an additional 3-4 minutes. Add the diced chicken breast and cook, stirring, until the chicken is just cooked through, approximately 7-10 minutes (check a larger piece for doneness before proceeding).
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Add the stock, turn the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Once at a simmer, add the peas, cook for 2 minutes, and add the dill and pasta, stir and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve!
Recipe Notes
*I used rotini here and have used shells in the past, but you can use any pasta you would like! Flex the amount of pasta depending on how much you like in your soup.
This looks so yummy!!! We eat chicken noodle soup here all the time. Making this today. I am sick too, sinus and eye infection. I also had been saying I had not been sick since last year. Will keep my mouth shut from now on. HAHA. I hope you feel better very soon. Thanks for this great recipe.
My little 3 year old is sick so I’m planning on making this as soon as her Dad gets home with groceries ☺️
I hope he gets better soon!!!
Sounds delicious and simple too….my kinda recipe 😘
Thanks 4 sharing. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year
Thank you and Happy New Year to you too!
Hi Tori !
Can this soup be frozen ? I’m eating it alone so I won’t be able to eat the recipe by myself
Hi Isabelle it can – the pasta is best not frozen but the rest of the soup is fine!
Just made this with egg noodles – so quick and easy and has a wonderful flavour! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thank you for the feedback that’s great!
I’m allergic to Carrots, Celery and Peas. (I know weird and horrible) But any suggestions on other vegetables to add to the soup instead?
Oh wow! Maybe try corn and some green beans?
Going to try this one next, and what do you mean cheater chicken noodle soup?? I call this homemade all the way!
Unless you make your own noodles…
Haha yes you have a point!
I just made this soup yesterday and it’s fantastic! I love the addition of dill, what a great flavor it adds to this comfort soup. And this was so easy to make. Would you know what the calories would be per serving?
Thank you!!! I’m not sure I haven’t done the count… it’s not high calorie though, especially if you go light on the pasta!
Wow I made this soup tonight and it was so easy and delicious!! Only omitted peas as my hubs & I aren’t huge fans. Thank you for sharing this recipe which will be a keeper in our home!
Thank you so much Kara for the message I appreciate it! Glad you loved it! Tori
This is my third time making this soup in a month! It’s so easy and so delicious with the fresh dill! My husband keeps asking for it, and I have had friends ask me for the recipe! Definitely recommend! Thanks Tori!!
Thank you so much Karli, that’s awesome!!!
This was yummy! I added extra carrots and celery and used parsley and it came out very nice. Perfect for our Canadian winters.
Thanks for another great recipe.
This looks so good! Do you think it would freeze ok?
Great recipe! Thank you…will be making with the bread for my boys tomorrow. Try Herbs de Provence too in Chicken Soup…yummy!
Thank you Laurie I hope they loved it! Tori
Hi Tori,
Lovely recipe. Have you ever frozen it? Just curious what your experience was if so. Thank you.
Hi Michaela, it should be fine frozen without the pasta! The cooked pasta just may get a bit mushy.
Hi Tori, wondering if you make your own chicken broth for this or do you use store bought? If it’s store bought what kind do you recommend? Thanks!
Thank YOU Tori, I made this tonight…minus chicken, and subbed frozen corn instead of peas…my kids and hubby gobbled it up!
Amazing thanks Stephanie!!
I’d love to know the same thing as well. I want to make this for my daughter who’s sick but I don’t have any homemade broth.
Hi! You can use either – I like the Better than Bouillon brand so I can just make what I need!
Hi Tori! Sorry I’m just seeing your response now. I’ve never used better than bouillon. I will check it out. Thanks so much!
Hi Tori
I tried this and we loved it. However, I added 1/4 flour while cooking the chicken and reduced the stock and added 2 cups of almond milk after the simmer. Brought to a boil and then added the pasta for a creamy soup. Thank you for a easy and delicious recipe that allows me to alter without jeopardizing the flavor.
That’s a great idea! So happy you enjoyed it Brenda.
Made this with left over rotisserie chicken and it is so easy and extremely delicious! I’ve frozen single serving jars for my little guys school lunches.
Thanks Tori for another winning recipe!
Thank you Preeti so happy you liked it!!! It would mean so much to me if you have a moment to rate the recipe – zero pressure of course! Take care! Tori
This is the second time I have made this for the family – they love it!
I add poultry seasoning, thyme and a little turmeric to the chicken before I add it to the pan.
Also really good with precooked rotisserie chicken breasts.
Thank you Beth, and thank you for taking the time to rate the recipe I appreciate it! Tori
Hi Tori. Trying to think of a chicken substitute to make it vegan. Any suggestion? Thank you.
Karen
Hey Karen! You could try extra firm cubed tofu, mushrooms, chickpeas, lentils, more vegetables & pasta – to name a few! Let me know what you end up doing and how it turns out! Would love to hear. Tori
This is my go to chicken noodle soup recipe! Easy and delish 🙂
go to soup recipe for the family!
Hi Tori,
I wondered if you used a homemade broth for this? Or if you can use store bought? And if so, do you have a preference on brand? Want to make it for my daughter who’s sick.