There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of homemade soup to bring comfort on a chilly day or when you’re simply craving something wholesome. This Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup recipe takes the classic comfort food to an incredibly convenient level, leveraging the delicious flavor and tender meat of a store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s the ultimate solution for a quick, nutritious, and incredibly satisfying meal that comes together with minimal effort, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or a thoughtful pick-me-up.
Say goodbye to long hours in the kitchen and hello to a flavorful, comforting soup that tastes like it simmered all day. This recipe simplifies your cooking process without compromising on taste, turning everyday ingredients into a culinary delight your whole family will adore. Whether you’re feeling under the weather, battling a cold winter’s night, or just need a simple yet nourishing meal, this Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup is your go-to.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
This isn’t just another chicken noodle soup; it’s designed for maximum flavor and minimum fuss. Here’s why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your rotation:
- Effortless Preparation: Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a game-changer. It eliminates the need to cook raw chicken, drastically cutting down on prep time and making this recipe ideal for busy schedules.
- Quick & Convenient: From start to finish, this soup can be on your table in under 30 minutes. It’s truly a weeknight lifesaver when you need a delicious homemade meal in a flash.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s a reason chicken noodle soup is a timeless classic. Its warmth, nourishing broth, and tender ingredients provide unparalleled comfort, especially on cold days or when you’re feeling a bit unwell.
- Budget-Friendly: Transform leftover rotisserie chicken into a completely new and exciting meal. This approach helps reduce food waste and keeps your grocery budget in check, proving that delicious and wholesome meals don’t have to be expensive.
- Packed with Nutrients: Loaded with lean protein from the chicken, essential vitamins from fresh vegetables like carrots and celery, and carbohydrates from hearty noodles, this soup is a well-rounded and nutritious meal.
- Customizable: This recipe provides a fantastic base, but it’s incredibly versatile. Easily adapt it with your favorite vegetables, spices, or types of noodles to suit your family’s preferences.
Ingredients for the Best Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
Crafting this flavorful soup requires just a few basic, readily available ingredients. You’ll find everything you need at your local grocery store, ensuring a hassle-free cooking experience. Below is an overview of the key components; precise measurements and detailed steps are included in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Ingredient Notes and Tips for Optimal Flavor
- Unsalted Butter: We opt for unsalted butter to sauté the aromatics. This gives you complete control over the soup’s overall saltiness, allowing you to season to perfection without overdoing it. If you only have salted butter, simply reduce the amount of added salt later in the recipe. For a dairy-free option, olive oil or a neutral cooking oil can be used.
- Onion (Yellow or Sweet): A cornerstone of many delicious soups, a medium yellow or sweet onion provides a foundational sweetness and aromatic depth when sautéed until translucent. These varieties offer the best flavor profile for a classic chicken noodle soup.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic cloves are highly recommended for their vibrant, pungent flavor that truly elevates the soup. While jarred minced garlic or even garlic powder can be used in a pinch, fresh garlic delivers a superior taste. If using powder, remember that 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder roughly equals one fresh clove.
- Carrots: Diced carrots add natural sweetness, a pleasant texture, and a beautiful pop of color. My family prefers the more robust flavor of large carrots, but pre-cut baby carrots are a convenient alternative if you’re looking to save on chopping time.
- Celery: Crucial for building a classic mirepoix (the aromatic base of onions, carrots, and celery), diced celery contributes a subtle earthy flavor and additional vegetable goodness to your soup.
- All-Purpose Flour: A small amount of all-purpose flour acts as a thickening agent, creating a light roux when combined with the butter. This helps to give the soup a slightly richer, more substantial body. For a gluten-free alternative, you can use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) added at the end, or a gluten-free flour blend.
- Chicken Bouillon: While optional, a chicken bouillon cube (or an equivalent amount of granulated bouillon or paste) significantly enhances the savory depth of the soup. It provides an extra layer of chicken flavor that makes the broth truly stand out.
- Essential Spices: A blend of black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme are the primary seasonings. Black pepper adds a subtle kick, while oregano and thyme infuse the soup with classic aromatic notes. Adjust quantities to your preference, and feel free to add a bay leaf for extra depth during simmering, removing it before serving.
- Chicken Broth/Stock: The quality of your broth is paramount to the soup’s flavor. Homemade chicken broth offers the richest taste, but a good quality store-bought chicken broth works wonderfully. Low-sodium varieties are excellent for controlling salt levels. Vegetable broth can also be used if preferred, though it will alter the overall flavor slightly.
- Boiling Water: Used to supplement the broth, boiling water helps achieve the desired consistency for your soup, especially as the noodles absorb liquid.
- Rotisserie Chicken: The star of this convenient recipe! A pre-cooked rotisserie chicken provides tender, flavorful chicken meat that’s ready to shred. If you don’t have a store-bought option, you can easily roast a whole chicken at home, or simply poach some chicken breasts until cooked through, then shred them. Approximately 3 cups of chopped chicken meat are needed.
- Wide Egg Noodles: These classic noodles are a favorite for chicken noodle soup due to their soft texture and ability to soak up the delicious broth. Feel free to use other pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or even broken spaghetti if you prefer. Cook them until they are al dente for the best texture.
- Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. Add salt gradually and taste as you go, especially since broth and bouillon can already contribute significant sodium.
- Fresh Parsley: A final garnish of chopped fresh parsley adds a vibrant hint of fresh flavor and a beautiful pop of green color, making the soup visually appealing and adding a touch of brightness.
Before You Begin: Essential Kitchen Tools
Having the right tools makes cooking this soup even easier. Here are a few essentials you’ll need:
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven: A heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven is ideal for even heat distribution and ample space to simmer your soup.
- Wooden Spoon or Ladle: For stirring and serving.
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For safely preparing your vegetables.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient proportions.
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Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Delicious Soup
Making this Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup is straightforward, even for novice cooks. Follow these steps for a perfect bowl every time. A detailed printable version is available in the recipe card below.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large, deep pot or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent, releasing its sweet aroma.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Soften Vegetables: Add the diced carrots and celery to the pot. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the vegetables to begin softening and infuse the butter with their flavors.
- Create a Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the sautéed vegetables. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until the flour is fully absorbed and no longer visible. This cooks out the raw flour taste and creates a light roux for thickening.
- Season and Add Liquids: Incorporate the black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme. If using, crumble in the chicken bouillon cube and mix well. Pour in the chicken broth and boiling water, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming from the flour.
- Simmer to Tenderize: Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for 5-8 minutes, or until the carrots are tender-crisp. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Introduce Chicken and Noodles: Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and the dry wide egg noodles to the simmering soup. Partially cover the pot again and continue to cook for another 6-7 minutes, or until the noodles are soft and cooked to your desired al dente texture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and add more chicken broth if you prefer a thinner consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and additional pepper as needed, until the flavors are perfectly balanced. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Adaptable Recipe – Make It Your Own!
One of the joys of cooking is the ability to customize. This chicken noodle soup recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to tailor it to your taste or what you have on hand. Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations:
- Enhance Flavor Depth: For an even richer broth, consider adding a dash of poultry seasoning, a pinch of Italian seasoning, or a bay leaf during the simmering stage (remember to remove the bay leaf before serving). A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can also brighten all the flavors.
- Protein Alternatives: While rotisserie chicken is convenient, you can easily switch out the meat. Use leftover turkey from holiday meals, or cook and shred boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs specifically for the soup. For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with cannellini beans or chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
- Creamy Indulgence: Transform this classic soup into a creamy delight by stirring in a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk during the last few minutes of cooking. For a dairy-free creamy version, coconut milk or a plant-based creamer can work well.
- Boost Your Veggies: Enhance the nutritional content and flavor by adding extra vegetables. Frozen peas or corn can be stirred in during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Fresh spinach or kale wilts beautifully when added just before serving. Diced potatoes, green beans, or even bell peppers can also be incorporated earlier with the carrots and celery.
- Different Noodles: If wide egg noodles aren’t your preference, try other small pasta shapes like ditalini, orzo, alphabet pasta, or even broken vermicelli. For a gluten-free soup, simply use gluten-free pasta.
- Spice it Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can add a welcome kick to your bowl.
Expert Tips and Notes for the Perfect Soup
- Don’t Waste the Carcass! After shredding your rotisserie chicken, don’t discard the carcass and any bones. Along with your vegetable scraps, they are gold for making homemade chicken stock. Simply simmer them in water with some herbs and peppercorns for a few hours, then strain for a deeply flavorful broth for future soups.
- Noodle Perfection: To avoid mushy noodles, cook them until they are just al dente – tender but with a slight bite. If you prefer them softer, simply simmer for a few additional minutes. For meal prepping or if you anticipate leftovers, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them to individual bowls just before serving to maintain optimal texture.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the seasoning. Broths and bouillon cubes vary greatly in their sodium content, so adding salt gradually is key. A pinch more pepper or a dash of your favorite herb can make all the difference.
- Maintain Broth Level: Noodles absorb a lot of liquid. If your soup seems too thick after cooking or reheating, simply add a little more chicken broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup is fantastic for meal prep, and leftovers are just as delicious, if not more so, as the flavors deepen overnight. Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious soup for days to come:
Refrigerate: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For best results and to prevent noodles from becoming too soggy, it is highly recommended to separate the noodles and vegetables from the broth and store them in separate containers if possible. When ready to eat, combine them in your bowl.
Freeze: This soup freezes beautifully! Pour leftovers (ideally without the noodles, or with very al dente noodles) into a freezer-safe container, leaving some headspace for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Again, separating the noodles and vegetables helps preserve their texture after thawing. If freezing with noodles, they might become softer upon reheating.
Reheat: To reheat, simply transfer your desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl and heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, gently heat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring until hot. If the soup has thickened considerably, add a splash of extra broth or water to thin it out to your preferred consistency. If you stored noodles separately, add them to the hot broth just before serving.
Make Ahead for Ultimate Convenience
One of the greatest advantages of soup recipes is their suitability for meal prepping. This Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld and deepen. To prepare this soup ahead of time, simply cook it according to the instructions but *omit adding the noodles*. Store the broth with chicken and vegetables in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, bring the soup to a simmer on the stovetop and then add the noodles, cooking them fresh until al dente. This ensures your noodles have the perfect texture and don’t become overly soft or mushy, making it perfect for enjoying the next day for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve With
Chicken noodle soup is the epitome of comfort food and makes for a delightful and quick meal that everyone in the family will enjoy on its own. However, if you’re looking to enhance your meal, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it alongside these Kaiser Rolls for dipping into the savory broth, or with a slice of crispy Air Fryer Garlic Bread. For a complete and satisfying meal, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette adds freshness. And don’t forget to cap off your cozy meal with a sweet treat like these Butter Crunch Cookies for a truly comforting experience. Other great pairings include grilled cheese sandwiches, saltine crackers, or a warm cornbread.
Your Questions Answered: FAQs About Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
To ensure your noodles stay perfectly al dente in this easy rotisserie chicken noodle soup, avoid overcooking them. Follow the package directions for cooking time, aiming for a tender but still firm texture. For best results, especially if you anticipate leftovers, you can cook the noodles separately and add them directly to individual bowls just before serving. This prevents them from absorbing too much broth and becoming soggy.
Absolutely! Using low-sodium chicken broth is an excellent choice for this flavorful chicken soup. It gives you greater control over the overall salt content, allowing you to season the soup to your exact preference without worrying about it being too salty from the start. Just be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Yes, you can! If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, you can poach boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in water or broth until cooked through (about 15-20 minutes). Shred the cooked chicken and add it to the soup as instructed. You could also cook raw chicken pieces directly in the soup broth until tender, then remove, shred, and return to the pot.
If your soup is too thin, you can create a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this mixture into the simmering soup and cook for a few more minutes until it thickens. If it’s too thick, simply add more chicken broth or boiling water, a quarter cup at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this chicken noodle soup will last for 2-3 days. If you’ve separated the noodles, the broth and chicken mixture can last up to 4 days. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to 3 months, ideally without the noodles to preserve texture.
Related Comforting Recipes
If you love making comforting soups for your family, there are many other delicious options to add to your meal plan! Next time, you might want to try this Crockpot Lasagna Soup for a hearty Italian-inspired meal, or the wholesome Carrot Lentil Soup for a nutritious vegetarian option. For another quick chicken-based soup, our Instant Pot Chicken and Potato Soup is a fantastic choice. All these recipes are family favorites, perfect for a quick dinner on a cold day, and promise to bring warmth and joy to your kitchen.
I absolutely adore recipes that utilize leftover rotisserie chicken, as they truly save my sanity on busy days. This Rotisserie Chicken Salad is another brilliant example of turning leftovers into a fresh and satisfying meal. Let me know in the comments below what you think about this Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup – I’d love to hear your feedback!
Chicken Noodle Soup With Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup carrots about 2 large carrots
- 1 cup diced celery about 2 stalks
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 chicken bouillon optional
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon dry thyme
- 6 cups chicken broth more if needed
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 rotisserie chicken about 3 cups chopped
- 3 cups dry Wide egg noodles 4 oz
- salt or to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a deep pot or Dutch oven, melt butter on medium-high heat then sauté onion until translucent.
- Add garlic and continue to cook for 30 seconds.
- Add diced carrots and celery then continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Sprinkle flour over and mix until flour disappears.
- Add spices and chicken cube mix breaking the cube apart then pour stock and boiling water.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium, partially cover the pot and cook for 5-8 minutes until carrot is tender.
- Add chicken and dry noodles, partially cover and continue to cook for another 6-7 minutes until noodles are soft.
- Add more stock if needed and taste to adjust seasoning and salt.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 16g |
Protein: 25g |
Fat: 10g |
Saturated Fat: 4g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g |
Trans Fat: 0.1g |
Cholesterol: 95mg |
Sodium: 956mg |
Potassium: 185mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 3g |
Vitamin A: 2886IU |
Vitamin C: 3mg |
Calcium: 37mg |
Iron: 1mg