Growing up, our mom often made homemade chicken noodle soup. We ate the soup with fry bread drizzled with honey and it felt like perfection. Chicken noodle soup became an icon of comfort and warmth for us. Because of this, we always made homemade chicken noodle soup when we were sick or it was cold outside.
Anyway, we’re excited to share our favorite chicken noodle soup recipe with you! My husband, who doesn’t really like chicken noodle soup, said this was the best he had ever had. We couldnt agree more! In this recipe, youll find the classic chicken noodle soup ingredients: chicken, noodles, onions, carrots, and celery. However, what really makes this chicken noodle soup special are the spices we include to bring more flavor.
So, in addition to salt and pepper, there are a few other spices weve incorporated here that really make the flavors pop. We like to include garlic, turmeric, and Italian seasoning in our chicken noodle soup. Garlic and turmeric not only make the broth taste better, but they also help reduce inflammation, which makes this soup perfect for when you’re sick. Turmeric has a somewhat peppery, bitter flavor and gives the soup a beautiful, natural coloring. When it comes to Italian seasoning, it’s usually a mix of dried marjoram, dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme. But when you go to the store next time, you might see a few different kinds of the classic Italian seasoning mix. It sometimes includes red pepper flakes, garlic, dried sage, or parsley. If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can always make your own!.
Needless to say, the spices in this soup really take it to the next level. Not only is this soup delicious, but its also easy to make! You can do all the cooking in one pot. We are all for easy cleanup!
Chicken soup is comfort food at its finest. When you’re feeling under the weather or just want something warm and nourishing, chicken soup hits the spot. But plain chicken soup can be a little boring. That’s where spices come in!
With spices, chicken soup goes from plain to amazing in terms of taste and complexity. There are so many options, from traditional aromatic spices to herbs, heat, and more. This article will teach you the best chicken soup spices and how to use them to make your soup taste even better.
The Foundation: Savory Spices
These savory spices form the base for well-rounded chicken soup flavor
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Black Pepper Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat and woodsy note, It’s a classic for a reason, Add in the early stages of cooking,
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Bay leaves give food a rich flavor and are an important part of chicken soup. Add to the broth and remove before serving.
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Onion Powder: Dried onion powder provides onion flavor without the texture. It enhances the savory qualities of the broth.
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Garlic Powder: Much like onion powder, garlic powder infuses garlic taste without overpowering fresh garlic notes. Use in tandem with fresh garlic.
Herbs: The Finishing Touch
Fresh or dried, herbs add brightness and a complexity to chicken soup:
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Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a clean, green, peppery flavor. Add towards the end as a garnish or stir in.
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Thyme: Earthy, minty thyme complements chicken. Add early on for flavor infusion or use at the end for vibrancy.
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Rosemary: A little rosemary goes a long way. Add this intensely piney herb sparingly to the broth.
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Dill: The anise-like flavor of dill enhances creamy chicken soups. Add towards the end to preserve its flavor.
Spice It Up: Heat and Warmth
Want something spicier and warmer? Consider adding:
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Red Pepper Flakes: Infuse the broth with subtle heat using red pepper flakes. They add a kick without overpowering.
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Ginger: Fresh ginger or ground ginger powder lends warming spice and aids digestion. It’s especially nice when you have a cold.
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Smoked Paprika: A pinch of smoked paprika contributes smoky, earthy notes to chicken soup. A little goes a long way.
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Chili Powder: For those who like it hot, chili powder brings on the heat. Add to taste, starting with small amounts.
Unexpected Flavors
Looking to shake things up? Try one of these less common spices:
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Turmeric: Earthy and bitter turmeric adds lovely color and potential health benefits. Combine with black pepper.
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Cardamom: This exotic spice has a faint citrusy flavor. Add just a pinch to chicken soup for intrigue.
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Cinnamon: A touch of cinnamon adds warmth and subtle sweetness. Stick to just a small amount.
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Cumin: The nutty, smoky taste of cumin complements chicken. Add while sautéing aromatics for enhanced flavor.
Spice Blending 101
When combining spices:
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Stick to 3-5 spices maximum for balance.
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Consider flavor profiles and cuisines. Italian spices, for example, pair well together.
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Add dried spices early for infusion; fresh herbs later to preserve vibrancy.
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Don’t overdo it! You can always add more but you can’t take spices out.
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Taste and tweak as you go until you achieve your ideal blend.
With the right blend of spices, the possibilities for chicken soup are endless. From Mediterranean herbs to an Indian-inspired curry, you can customize your perfect spice mix. So grab your favorite spices and transform a basic chicken soup into a five-star flavor experience. Your taste buds will thank you!
What equipment do you need?
For this recipe, you will need the following equipment:
- Large pot with lid
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle for serving
How is it done?
First, pour the broth into a large pot and add the bay leaves and spices. Then, add the raw chicken to the pot and turn the stove to medium-high heat. We recommend cutting the chicken breast using the butterfly technique. This will help the chicken to cook more quickly and more evenly so you dont end up with tough, chewy chicken. Not sure what the butterfly technique looks like? Take a look at this video from Taste of Home for some help.
Once the broth, spices, and chicken are cooking, start dicing the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the diced vegetables to the pot. Keep cooking for another 10 minutes or so over medium-high heat, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit inside. Once the chicken is done, pull it out of the soup and place it aside in a bowl or on a plate.
Next, add the uncooked noodles to the pot, stir, and cook for 8-10 minutes or according to the package directions.
While the noodles are cooking, head back to the now-cooked chicken that was set aside. Shred the chicken using two forks or a hand mixer. If youre in a time crunch, heres a tip to help speed up the cooking process even more. You can use the meat from a rotisserie chicken (fresh, refrigerated, or frozen) and add it to the soup in the final steps of the cooking process.
Once the noodles are al-dente, turn off the heat and remove the bay leaf. Add the chicken to the pot and stir well to distribute evenly. We love to pair this soup with some delicious crusty bread and a fresh salad. We hope you enjoy the best homemade chicken noodle soup!.
The Best Chicken Soup You’ll Ever Eat
FAQ
What spices are good in chicken soup?
Add peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, poultry seasoning, basil, and parsley. Bone chicken; cut meat into bite-sized pieces and add to the pot. Simmer until vegetables are tender and flavors are well blended, about 90 minutes.
What can I add to chicken soup for more flavor?
Sautéing aromatic vegetables, like onion, carrot, and celery then simmering them in the broth adds more flavor. As does mixing in a few sprigs of fresh thyme and dried bay leaves.
What are good seasonings to put in soup?
Dry herbs and spices that are often used are black pepper (a little goes a long way in soup), oregano, bay leaves, thyme, and sage (but not all at the same time). Fresh seasonings can include parsley, garlic, onion, and the celery that you dislike. If you like cilantro (aka coriander), you could try that as well.
How to spice up can chicken soup?
13 Ways To Upgrade Your Canned Soup So It Tastes HomemadeAdd sautéed aromatics like onion or garlic. Enhance with leafy greens like kale or spinach. Stir in additional herbs and spices. Top with cheese. Bulk it up with additional veggies. Garnish with crackers, tortilla chips, or croutons. More protein is always a good idea.