This kid-approved chicken noodle soup is packed with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and tasty noodles. It’s a simple and comforting meal that kids will love!
Introducing my kid-approved chicken noodle soup. It’s perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. I use simple ingredients for no-fuss cooking.
I made this soup with picky eaters in mind. It has kid-friendly ingredients and fun noodle shapes, so even the fussiest eaters will love it.
Serve up smiles with this easy and tasty meal!
🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- It’s perfect for busy parents. With just 5 minutes of prep and 55 minutes of cooking, you can have a homemade meal on the table fast. Ideal for those hectic weekdays.
- I made this soup for picky eaters. It uses familiar ingredients and fun pasta shapes that kids love. No more dinner table battles, just happy faces.
- Packed with fresh veggies, lean chicken, and hearty pasta, this soup is both healthy and delicious. It’s a balanced meal in a bowl.
- The recipe is adaptable. Use chicken thighs instead of quarters or switch up the pasta. It’s great for using what you already have.
- Cooking from scratch is satisfying. This simple recipe lets even beginners make a wholesome meal. It’s a great way to get kids involved in cooking and show them the value of homemade meals.
🥘 Ingredients and Substitutes
- Pasta: Adds texture and appeals to kids. Use egg noodles for a similar texture or whole wheat pasta for a healthier option.
- Parsley: Brings a fresh, herby flavor. No parsley? Try fresh cilantro or dried parsley.
- Chicken Quarters: Provides rich protein and deep flavor. Substitute with chicken breasts or thighs if needed.
- Carrots: Add sweetness and vibrant color. Parsnips or sweet potatoes work as alternatives.
- Celery: Adds subtle, earthy flavor and crunch. Use fennel stalks or bell peppers as substitutes.
- Bay Leaves: Impart depth and complexity. If unavailable, use a pinch of thyme or oregano.
- Onion: Foundational for rich flavor. Leeks or shallots are great substitutes.
👩🍳 Step-by-step Directions
First, choose good quality chicken. If possible, use free-range chicken for better taste and nutrition.
Wash the chicken thoroughly and cut it in half. Place the chicken in a pot along with cleaned and roughly chopped vegetables.
Add a bay leaf and a teaspoon of salt. Pour in 6 cups of cold water.
Quick Note: Cold water helps extract more flavor from the ingredients. Hot water seals the pores and traps the taste inside.
Boil the soup on low heat for about 50 minutes. Then, remove all the ingredients and strain the soup, returning only the liquid to the pot.
Bring the soup back to a boil on medium heat. Add the noodles and cook for about 4 minutes.
Meanwhile, remove the meat from the bones and add it back into the soup.
Finally, add finely chopped parsley and turn off the heat.
Pro Tip: Turn off the heat immediately after adding parsley to keep its color vibrant.
Cover the pot and let it sit for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
Serve hot. For extra flavor, serve with a slice of lemon.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Cozy Family Dinner. Serve the soup with warm dinner rolls and a side of steamed green beans or broccoli. Add a bit of butter to the veggies for extra flavor. This makes a perfect meal for a chilly evening.
- Light Lunch Option. Pair the soup with half a ham and cheese sandwich or a cucumber and cream cheese sandwich. Cut the sandwiches into triangles and place them next to a small bowl of soup. Sprinkle some parsley on top and add a lemon wedge. Great for a quick lunch.
- Elegant Soup Starter. Serve a small bowl of the soup as an appetizer. Add a few gourmet croutons and a drizzle of truffle oil. Use small, elegant bowls for a nice touch. Ideal for dinner parties.
- Kid’s Party Favorite. Make the soup fun with star or letter-shaped pasta. Serve with fruit kebabs or mini cheese toasties. Use colorful bowls and kid-friendly utensils. Perfect for a kid’s birthday party or playdate.
🏆 Expert Tips. What to Pay Attention To?
- Quality of Ingredients. Use fresh vegetables and high-quality chicken. Organic produce and free-range chicken can make a big difference in taste.
- Properly Preparing the Chicken. Clean the chicken quarters well. Browning the chicken pieces before adding them to the soup adds depth to the flavor.
- Sautéing the Vegetables. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery before adding the broth. This step enhances their flavors and gives your soup a richer taste.
- Simmering the Soup. Rapid boiling can make the chicken tough and break down the vegetables too much. A gentle simmer helps develop the flavors while keeping the ingredients intact.
- Adjusting Consistency. If the soup is too thick, add more broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer to reduce and concentrate the flavors.
- Involving Kids in Preparation. Let kids help with safe tasks like washing vegetables or adding pre-measured spices. It can be a fun and educational experience.
🤔 Answering Your Questions:
Can I Use Different Types of Pasta?
Absolutely! While the recipe suggests a specific pasta type, feel free to experiment with various shapes and sizes that might appeal more to your kids. Fun shapes like stars, letters, or bow-ties can make the soup more enticing for children. Just keep in mind that different pastas may have varying cooking times, so adjust accordingly.
Can I Add More Vegetables to the Soup?
Certainly! This recipe is quite versatile, and you can add other vegetables like spinach, peas, or potatoes. Just keep in mind the cooking times for different vegetables; add them to the soup at the appropriate time so they don’t overcook or become too mushy.
How Can I Make This Soup Creamier?
For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of cream or milk towards the end of the cooking process. Alternatively, a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt can be added to each serving for a tangy, creamy twist.
What If the Soup Is Too Thick or Too Thin?
If your soup is too thick, simply add more broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a bit longer to reduce and thicken. Remember, the soup will also thicken slightly as it cools, especially once the noodles are added.
📋 Recipe Card:
Kid-Approved Chicken Noodle Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz Chicken Leg Quarters 1 piece
- 1 piece Celery Stalk
- 1 piece Carrot medium
- 1 piece Onion medium
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Salt
- 6 cup Water
- 3 oz Egg noodles
- Parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Clean the chicken thoroughly and cut it into two halves.12 oz Chicken Leg Quarters
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, place the chicken halves and add the prepared vegetables. Add a bay leaf and 1 teaspoon of salt. Pour 6 cups of cold water over the ingredients.12 oz Chicken Leg Quarters, 1 piece Celery Stalk, 1 piece Carrot, 1 Bay Leaf, Salt, 6 cup Water, 1 piece Onion
- Cook: Bring the soup to a boil over low heat and let it simmer for about 50 minutes.
- Strain Soup: Remove all the ingredients from the soup, strain well, and return only the liquid to the pot.
- Add Noodles: Bring the soup to a boil again on medium heat. Once boiling, add the noodles and cook for about 4 minutes.3 oz Egg noodles
- Add Chicken: In the meantime, remove the chicken meat from the bones and add it back into the soup.
- Finish with Parsley: Add finely chopped parsley to the soup and turn off the heat immediately to preserve the parsley's color.Parsley
- Let Sit: Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Serve: Serve the soup hot. For added flavor, offer a slice of lemon on the side for a hint of sour taste.
Quick Note
I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑
Notes
- Herb Variations: While I use parsley, feel free to try dill or thyme for a different flavor. Add fresh herbs towards the end to preserve their flavor.
- Chicken Preparation: Short on time? Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken. Shred it and add it towards the end to avoid overcooking.
- Broth Tip: For richer flavor, make your own chicken broth. You can prepare it in advance and freeze it for later use.
- Vegetable Chop Size: Chop vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Make them small enough for kids to eat easily but large enough to retain some texture after cooking.
- Lemon Zest Addition: For a fresh twist, add a bit of lemon zest towards the end of cooking. It adds brightness and enhances the flavor.
- Serving Suggestion for Adults: Offer red pepper flakes, freshly ground black pepper, or hot sauce on the side to add some heat.
Nutrition Estimates
Love this Chicken Noodle Soup? I’d love to hear from you! Please rate this recipe and leave a comment sharing how you and your family enjoyed it.
Did you add a personal twist? Let me know in the comments! Your tips and variations could help others looking to try this family-friendly dish.
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