Warm up with this comforting and healthy chicken noodle soup, featuring a delicious ginger chicken broth that makes it one of our favorite healthy soup recipes.
This Asian-inspired dish is perfect for a chilly evening or whenever you need a boost of flavor and nourishment. It’s a truly satisfying meal that comes together without a fuss.
This recipe delivers on both taste and ease, making it a fantastic addition to your family’s meal rotation. You’ll love how the aromatic ginger and tender chicken blend with the noodles, creating a bowl of pure comfort that’s surprisingly light and healthy.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
Warm up with this comforting and healthy chicken noodle soup, featuring a delicious ginger chicken broth that makes it one of our favorite healthy soup recipes. This Asian-inspired dish is perfect for a chilly evening or whenever you need a boost of flavor and nourishment. It’s a truly satisfying meal that comes together without a fuss.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil or sesame oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the broth.
3. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.
4. Stir in the dried egg noodles and your chosen chopped vegetables. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 5-7 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the vegetables are cooked to your desired crispness.
5. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings with salt and black pepper as needed. Remember that soy sauce adds saltiness, so taste before adding more.
6. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions before serving. Enjoy your warm and comforting bowl!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: soup
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: chicken noodle soup, ginger soup, healthy soup, asian soup, comfort food, quick dinner, weeknight meal, chicken recipe, noodle recipe, easy soup
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true winner because it’s incredibly flavorful yet remarkably simple to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights. It’s perfect for families looking for a wholesome and comforting meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. The ginger-infused broth not only tastes fantastic but also offers a soothing warmth, which is especially welcome during colder months or when you’re feeling under the weather. You can serve this cozy classic as a light dinner, a hearty lunch, or even as a starter for a larger Asian-themed meal. It’s a versatile dish that everyone at the table will appreciate, from the pickiest eaters to those who love a good, healthy soup.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. This recipe uses readily available items you might already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store. The beauty of this soup lies in its straightforward components, which combine to create a complex and satisfying flavor profile.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 ounces dried egg noodles or ramen noodles (without seasoning packets)
- 2 cups chopped mixed vegetables (carrots, celery, snap peas, or bok choy work well)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped, for garnish
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which tend to stay a bit more tender. If you don’t have egg noodles, ramen noodles (discarding the seasoning packet) or even thin spaghetti broken into smaller pieces will work. Feel free to use your favorite mixed vegetables; broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms, or bell peppers are all great additions. For a gluten-free option, ensure your soy sauce is tamari and choose gluten-free noodles. A splash of fish sauce can also be added for an extra layer of umami if you enjoy that flavor.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, delivering maximum flavor in minimal time, making it perfect for those busy days when you want a homemade meal without the long wait.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this flavorful chicken noodle soup is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a delicious and comforting meal.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil or sesame oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Brown the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the broth.
- Build the broth: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.
- Add noodles and vegetables: Stir in the dried egg noodles and your chosen chopped vegetables. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 5-7 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the vegetables are cooked to your desired crispness.
- Season the soup: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings with salt and black pepper as needed. Remember that soy sauce adds saltiness, so taste before adding more.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions before serving. Enjoy your warm and comforting bowl!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This chicken noodle soup is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For kids, you might want to use less ginger or serve the broth separately from the noodles and chicken, allowing them to mix it themselves. You can also use fun-shaped pasta instead of traditional egg noodles.
If you’re looking to add more vegetables, consider stirring in some baby spinach or kale during the last minute of cooking; their leaves will wilt beautifully into the hot broth. For a bit of heat, a dash of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to individual bowls. A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving can also brighten up the flavors.
This soup makes a fantastic light lunch on its own, perhaps with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad. For a heartier meal, you could serve it alongside some spring rolls or a fresh cucumber salad. It’s also a great option for a casual buffet, as it holds well and is easy to serve in individual portions. Don’t forget a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top for an extra crunch and nutty flavor.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help ensure your chicken noodle soup turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent issue is overcooking the noodles. Noodles can quickly become mushy if left in the hot broth for too long, especially if you plan on having leftovers. To avoid this, add the noodles only during the last 5-7 minutes of cooking, and if you anticipate a lot of leftovers, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them to individual bowls just before serving.
Another common mistake is not seasoning the broth adequately. Broth is the heart of this soup, and it needs to be well-balanced. Always taste the soup after adding the soy sauce and rice vinegar, and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes, a tiny pinch more salt can make all the difference in bringing out the flavors.
Finally, overcrowding the pot when browning the chicken can lead to steaming instead of browning. If you have a lot of chicken, cook it in batches to ensure each piece gets a nice sear, which adds depth of flavor to the soup. This extra step is worth the effort for a richer taste.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This chicken noodle soup is wonderful for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week. Proper storage is key to maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
To store leftovers, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. If you’ve cooked the noodles directly in the soup, they may absorb more liquid and become softer over time. For best texture, especially if you plan to store the soup for more than a day, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them to each bowl just before serving. This prevents them from becoming mushy.
When reheating, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through, or microwave individual portions. If the broth has thickened too much, you can add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
For making ahead, you can prepare the broth with the chicken and vegetables up to 2-3 days in advance. Store this base in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply bring the broth to a simmer, add the fresh noodles, and cook until tender. This method ensures perfectly textured noodles every time and makes for an even quicker weeknight meal.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use pre-cooked chicken? Yes, absolutely! If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken, you can add it during the last 5 minutes of simmering, along with the noodles and vegetables, just to heat it through. This makes the recipe even faster.
What kind of noodles are best? Egg noodles are traditional and work wonderfully, but you can also use ramen noodles (discarding the seasoning packet), thin spaghetti, or even gluten-free rice noodles. Choose a noodle that cooks relatively quickly.
Can I make this soup vegetarian? You can! Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add extra vegetables, canned chickpeas, or firm tofu cubes for protein.
**Is fresh ginger
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
