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Rotisserie chicken is my favorite shortcut to make quick meals like this hearty noodle soup that is a cinch to whip up on the stovetop and feed a crowd.
Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup
One bite, and you’ll understand what I mean by the rotisserie chicken flavor as a bonus to this hearty soup. It infuses the broth, pasta, and vegetables with a smoky flavor while cutting down on cooking time. What’s not to love?
I like to purchase a rotisserie chicken, or two, from the grocery store at the beginning of the week, remove the skin and bones, then shred the meat before refrigerating it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
It saves me time and provides a convenient source of protein to add to meals.
If you have the spare time, you can also use the leftover bones to make your own chicken broth, but if not, chicken broth from the carton is just as good.
Ingredients
Alright, one recipe for chicken noodle soup coming right up, and here’s everything you need to make it happen!
- rotisserie chicken: skin removed and meat shredded. One chicken will yield up to 4 cups of meat.
- vegetables: carrots, onions, celery, and garlic- the classic chicken soup veggies and aromatics.
- herbs: thyme, parsley, and bay leaf. Parsley isn’t a favorite of everyone so you can leave it out.
- chicken broth: whether you use chicken broth or a carton of chicken stock, both work.
- pasta: egg noodles, spaghetti, or shelled pasta work best for chicken noodle soup.
How to Make Hearty Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
Making this recipe is easy in a few simple steps:
- Sauté
In a large soup pot, sauté the veggies on olive oil until softened. - Simmer
Add the seasonings, broth, and water. Bring the soup to a boil before reducing the heat and simmering for 15 minutes. - Simmer a little more
Stir in the pasta and shredded rotisserie chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender. - Serve
Once the pasta is cooked through, remove the soup from heat and ladle it into bowls. Serve alongside a green salad for a light, satisfying dinner.
How to Prevent Soggy Noodles
While some recipes suggest cooking the noodles separately, that means extra work and more cleanup. Instead, I add the noodles when the soup is almost done, cook them for 10 minutes, and serve the soup before the noodles can get soggy.
Recipe Swaps for Chicken Noodle Soup
Classic chicken noodle soup is a blank canvas to which you can add different vegetables or seasonings and still keep it delicious. While we skip the usual chicken breasts for a rotisserie chicken in this recipe, you can use other yummy swaps to make this soup all your own.
Want to use shallots instead of onions or add potatoes instead of pasta? Go for it- this is your time to shine. Here are more ingredient swaps for this rotisserie chicken noodle soup:
Vegetables
Adding vegetables like diced zucchini, cauliflower, peas, corn, potatoes, and broccoli is a great way to stretch this soup for days or replace any veggies you don’t like. You can also stir in chopped spinach at the last minute to add more fiber and greens.
Beans
A can of Cannellini, Great Northern, and chickpeas beans would be another way to add more protein and fiber to this soup. Keep in mind; beans contain a lot of starch, so you might need a little more liquid, about 1 cup of chicken broth, to balance it all out.
Pasta
Have a gluten allergy? Swap regular pasta for your favorite brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta. I recommend using shelled varieties since they won’t fall apart when cooking, and their shape holds more broth, making each bite more flavorful.
Herbs
The thyme, parsley, and bay leaf are basic aromatics for chicken soups, but 1 ½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence would add a delicious and earthy note to this recipe.
Spice
You can add Sriracha and make this spicy chicken noodle soup for a kick of heat!
More Ways to Make This Recipe
Turkey Noodle Soup | Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
If you’re on a cozy soup kick, this chicken stew or the creamy chicken noodle soup will hit the spot and can be made with rotisserie chicken for an equally convenient and delicious meal.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the rotisserie chicken soup leftovers to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. You can keep this soup in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can You Freeze Chicken Noodle Soup?
Soups made with pasta don't freeze well, as the pasta absorbs all the liquid and becomes mushy when reheated. However, to freeze this soup, you can cook it without the pasta and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, defrost the soup in the refrigerator and add the noodles once you have reheated the soup on the stovetop.
Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme*
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley*
- 1 leaf bay
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups uncooked pasta
- 2-3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onions, celery, and garlic, sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the seasonings, broth, and water. Bring the soup to a boil before reducing the heat and simmering for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the pasta and shredded chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
LisaLisa says
We love making this and the flavors taste so good. I sometimes get me a freshly made rotisserie chicken from Kroger’s to make this soup. Such a hearty dish!
MayPal says
That’s a really good way of saving leftover rotisserie chicken! We usually have a bunch left each time we have it at home. And it’s a totally different dish, too!
Kat says
using a pre-cooked bird makes dinner so easy. this warm bowl of comfort is exactly what my cold needs today.
Marith says
I absolutely love home-made chicken noodle soup. I just froze a few quarts of freshly made broth, yesterday, so I’m adding this to next week’s menu! Yay!
Thanks, Laura.
Stella Miller says
Easy, delicious and makes the house smell amazing! I have made this before and love it. Pair it with some warm crusty bread and you have the best comfort food on a chilly day!!!