Alton Brown’s Quick & Cozy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Chicken noodle soup represents the ultimate comfort food that wraps you in warmth during chilly days.

Cold-fighting nutrients dance through this classic recipe with remarkable healing potential.

Fragrant herbs and tender ingredients meld together in a delightful culinary symphony.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this soul-soothing dish that transcends simple meal preparation.

Balanced flavors and nutritious components create a powerful antidote to winter blues.

Passionate chefs understand how each ingredient contributes to a deeply satisfying bowl of goodness.

Rich broth and carefully selected elements transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary experience: prepare to be amazed.

Chicken Noodle Soup That Comforts: Why You’ll Love It

• Speedy Comfort Cooking: This chicken noodle soup whips up in just 37 minutes, making it the perfect quick remedy for hunger or when you're craving a warm, healing meal.
• Balanced Flavor Symphony: Garlic, celery, and onion create a harmonious base that elevates the classic soup, while herbs and a bright lemon squeeze add unexpected depth and freshness to every spoonful.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Satisfaction: The simple one-pot method means less cleanup and a straightforward cooking process that even novice home chefs can master with confidence, delivering a restaurant-quality dish without complex techniques.
• Nourishing Lightweight Meal: Clocking in at only 119 calories per serving, this soup offers a light yet satisfying option that feels both comforting and health-conscious, perfect for anyone seeking a nutritious and delicious meal.

Building Blocks for a Soul-Warming Soup

• Chicken: Classic soup protein with rich flavor, preferably whole chicken or bone-in pieces for deeper taste.

• Garlic: Adds robust, warm flavor to the soup base, fresh cloves recommended.
• Celery: Provides fresh, crisp vegetable undertone with subtle peppery notes.
• Onion: Contributes foundational savory depth and natural sweetness to the soup.

• Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs for additional aromatic complexity and traditional soup flavor.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing overall taste and balancing other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and rounds out the soup's flavor profile.
• Lemon: Bright citrus note that provides fresh, tangy finish to the soup.
• Noodles: Classic soup component that adds hearty texture and substance.

Step-by-Step Chicken Noodle Soup

Step 1: Prepare The Chicken Base

Fill a large nonreactive stockpot with water and chicken. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat for 2 minutes, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged.

Step 2: Add Aromatic Vegetables

• Minced garlic
• Chopped celery
• Diced onion

Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes, allowing the vegetables to release their flavors.

Step 3: Cook Noodles

Add pasta noodles to the simmering broth. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the noodles are tender but not mushy.

Step 4: Season And Finish

• Fresh herbs
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

Step 5: Serve With Citrus Accent

Plate the soup in serving bowls. Optionally, squeeze 1/2 fresh lemon over the top for a bright, tangy finish. The citrus will enhance the soup’s overall flavor profile and add a refreshing touch.

Top Tips for a Cozy Bowl

• Elevate Stock Depth: Simmer chicken bones with aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery for a richer, more complex broth base.
• Customize Seasoning Wisely: Start with a light hand on salt, adding more gradually to control the final taste without overwhelming the delicate flavors.
• Noodle Separation Strategy: Boil pasta in salted water separately, then add to individual bowls when serving to maintain perfect texture and prevent soggy noodles.
• Temperature Control Trick: Let soup cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to meld and prevent burning your tongue.
• Garnish for Impact: Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or chives just before serving to add brightness and visual appeal to the classic comfort dish.

Soup Storage: Keep It Tasty

• Airtight Container Method: Transfer cooled soup to a glass or sturdy plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Minimize air exposure by choosing a container that closely matches the soup's volume, preventing freezer burn and maintaining optimal flavor integrity.
• Portion Freezing Method: Divide soup into individual serving sizes using freezer-safe bags or containers. Label each portion with the date and contents, enabling quick identification and easy thawing for single-serve meals.
• Liquid Preservation Method: Leave about an inch of space at the top of the container when storing, allowing liquid expansion during freezing. This prevents potential container cracking and ensures a clean, mess-free storage experience.

Chicken Noodle Soup Variations

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap traditional herbs with fresh rosemary, oregano, and thyme for a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that transforms the classic chicken soup.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced jalapeños, cumin, and a dash of chili powder to inject bold southwestern heat and complexity into the traditional soup recipe.
• Ginger Turmeric Wellness Version: Incorporate fresh grated ginger and ground turmeric for an immune-boosting variation that brings warm, earthy undertones and potential health benefits to the classic chicken noodle soup.
• Asian-Inspired Chicken Noodle: Replace traditional herbs with star anise, fresh ginger, and a splash of soy sauce to create an aromatic east Asian-inspired version with deeper umami flavors.

Closing Sip: Soup Conclusion

Culinary magic emerges from Alton Brown’s chicken noodle soup, a comforting classic reimagined with precise technique and balanced flavors.

Hearty vegetables dance alongside tender chicken in a rich, aromatic broth that whispers comfort with each spoonful.

Subtle herb notes elevate this traditional recipe beyond ordinary expectations, creating a memorable dining experience.

Noodles provide satisfying texture while complementing the delicate protein and vegetable medley.

Complex yet accessible, this soup promises warmth and nourishment for soul-soothing meals.

You’ll savor each carefully crafted bite, so click the heart, share with friends, and spread soup love through passionate comments below!

Alton Brown Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s chicken noodle soup delivers comfort with classic charm. Hearty vegetables, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked noodles create a soulful bowl of warmth you’ll crave on chilly days.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 2 ounces (56 grams) dried egg noodles, cooked to al dente

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) diced onion
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) diced celery
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic

Liquids and Herbs:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken stock, homemade or store-bought
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
• Lemon halves, for serving

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Instructions

1. Fill a large, nonreactive stockpot with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for approximately 2 minutes, creating a bubbling liquid base for the dish.
2. Introduce finely minced garlic, diced celery, and chopped onion into the boiling water, reducing heat to low and allowing the vegetables to simmer gently for 2 minutes, releasing their aromatic flavors.
3. Carefully add the noodles to the vegetable-infused liquid, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, and continue cooking for 5 minutes until the noodles reach an al dente texture.
4. Remove the stockpot from the heat source and season the contents with a harmonious blend of fresh herbs, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring an even distribution of seasonings.
5. Transfer the prepared dish to serving plates and garnish with a wedge of fresh lemon, offering diners the option to squeeze additional citrusy brightness directly over their portion if desired.

Notes

• Homemade chicken stock transforms this soup from good to extraordinary.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your unique flavor profile.
• Cooking noodles separately prevents them from becoming soggy and maintains perfect texture.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
• Fresh ingredients make a significant difference in the overall taste and quality of the dish.
• Freezing individual portions works great for quick future meals.
• Consider using rotisserie chicken for a time-saving shortcut when you’re in a hurry.
• Gluten-free options are easy to achieve by swapping traditional noodles with rice noodles or zucchini spirals.
• Vegetarian friends can substitute chicken with tofu or additional vegetables.
• Low-sodium broth helps control salt intake without compromising flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 102
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 470 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 3 mg