Chicken noodle soup in under 30 minutes !
This chicken noodle soup is a wonderfully comforting and incredibly versatile recipe, perfect for making the most of leftover cooked chicken. It’s the kind of dish that proves simple food can still be deeply satisfying, especially on days when you want something nourishing without putting in a lot of effort. One of its greatest strengths is its flexibility—you can easily adapt it to whatever vegetables you have lingering in the fridge. Broccoli florets, peas, sweetcorn, shredded cabbage, mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach can be tossed in, making it an ideal way to use up odds and ends before your next grocery shop.
Despite its comforting depth of flavour, this soup comes together remarkably quickly. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, even if you’re chopping a few extra vegetables, and once everything is ready to go, the cooking itself takes under 10 minutes. The short cook time keeps the vegetables vibrant and crisp-tender and ensures the chicken stays moist rather than drying out. It’s the perfect weeknight meal when you need something warm and homemade but don’t want to spend the whole evening in the kitchen.
The real secret to elevating this simple soup is the stock. A good-quality chicken stock provides the foundation, bringing richness, aroma, and depth that can’t be faked. If you have homemade stock, this is the place to use it, but a high-quality fresh stock or a well-flavoured bouillon will also work beautifully. With such a quick cooking time, the stock is what carries the flavour, giving the finished soup that slow-simmered taste without any of the waiting.
When everything is combined—tender strands of chicken, soft noodles, colourful vegetables, and that savoury, comforting broth—you’re left with a bowl that is both light and satisfying. It’s ideal for lunch, a quick supper, or even a soothing meal when you’re under the weather. Simple, quick, adaptable, and delicious, this chicken noodle soup is the kind of recipe you’ll return to again and again.
Chicken noodle soup ingredient list-
500ml/18fl oz premium chicken stock
One bulb of garlic, sliced; a tiny chunk of fresh ginger, peeled and cut
One cooked breast of skinless chicken
100g/3½oz of delicate dry egg noodles
Three spears 100g/3½oz of frozen peas or tenderstem broccoli
Two to three teaspoons of reduced salt Soy sauce
Trimmed beansprouts, three spring onions, and rinsed sesame or chilli oil (optional)
Chicken noodle soup- step by step instruction list-
Step 1
Pour the chicken stock into a medium-sized pan and add 200ml (7fl oz) of water, giving the liquid a gentle stir to combine. Peel and finely slice or crush the garlic, and peel and grate the ginger before adding them to the pan. Place the pan over a very low heat and let it gently simmer for around 5 minutes. This slow, gentle cooking allows the garlic and ginger to infuse the stock fully, releasing their aromatic flavours without becoming overpowering or bitter. As the mixture warms, you’ll begin to notice the fragrant, comforting aroma filling the kitchen, hinting at the rich, flavorful soup to come. This careful, slow infusion helps create a subtle, layered base that will make the final dish both aromatic and deeply satisfying.
Step 2
Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the garlic and ginger from the pan and discard them—by infusing the stock earlier, they’ve already released all their flavor, so there’s no need to leave them in. Next, take the cooked chicken breast and shred it into small, bite-sized pieces, making it easy to eat and perfect for soaking up the flavours of the broth. Add the shredded chicken directly to the gently simmering stock, followed by the egg noodles. Stir everything together so the noodles and chicken are evenly distributed, allowing them to warm through and absorb the fragrant, aromatic stock. In just a few minutes, the ingredients will meld together, creating a comforting, flavourful soup that’s ready to enjoy.
Step 3
Allow the broth to continue simmering gently for 2–3 minutes, or until the egg noodles are tender and the shredded chicken is thoroughly heated through. If you’re including broccoli, cut it into small, uniform pieces about 5mm (¼in) thick so it cooks quickly and evenly, and thinly slice the spring onions for a fresh, mild oniony bite. Add the prepared vegetables to the pan—alternatively, if you’re using peas instead of broccoli, add them at this stage. Pour in the soy sauce, which will season the soup and deepen the savoury flavour of the stock, then give everything a gentle stir to combine. Let the soup simmer for a further minute, just enough for the vegetables to soften slightly while still retaining a touch of bite, ensuring every spoonful is full of vibrant colour, texture, and flavour.
Step 4
Finally, add the beansprouts to the soup and allow them to warm through for about 30 seconds. This brief cooking time keeps them crisp and refreshing, adding a satisfying crunch to each spoonful. Once heated, ladle the soup evenly into two deep bowls, making sure each serving has a good mix of noodles, chicken, and vegetables. To finish, drizzle a little chilli oil for a gentle, warming heat or sesame oil for a nutty, aromatic touch whichever you prefer, or even both if you’re feeling indulgent. Serve immediately while piping hot, so you can enjoy the full depth of flavours and the comforting, aromatic broth. Every bite is a perfect balance of tender chicken, soft noodles, vibrant vegetables, and fragrant, seasoned stock.
You can easily double this recipe to serve four people instead of two, making it a great option for families, small gatherings, or when you want plenty of leftovers for the next day. Simply double all the ingredients, from the chicken and noodles to the stock, vegetables, and seasonings, and follow the same cooking method. The steps remain exactly the same, so there’s no need to adjust timing significantly—just ensure your pan or pot is large enough to accommodate the increased volume of soup so that everything cooks evenly. Doubling the recipe is a simple way to turn this quick and nourishing meal into a hearty, satisfying feast that keeps everyone at the table happy and full.