Nothing quite comforts the soul like the warm, zesty flavors of my Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. It’s a heartwarming hug in a bowl, where bright lemon meets spicy ginger, creating a soup that feels both soothing and invigorating.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times this soup has saved me when I needed something quick but nourishing. The combo of lemon and ginger gives it a fresh twist you won’t find in every chicken noodle soup. Plus, it’s flexible enough for whatever you have on hand.
- Bright, Balanced Flavors: The lemon adds a perfect tang to the warmth of ginger and chicken broth, waking up your taste buds.
- Simple, Whole Ingredients: Just fresh veggies, chicken breasts, and pantry staples—a healthy dinner without fuss.
- Hearty & Satisfying: Those broad noodles soak up the broth beautifully, making every spoonful comforting and filling.
- Customizable & Friendly: Easily swap noodles, add herbs, or adjust seasoning to suit your vibe or pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a role in creating a soup that’s vibrant, comforting, and packed with cozy flavors. Using fresh ginger and lemon brightens the broth, while the veggies add subtle sweetness and texture. Choosing your noodle wisely makes all the difference, so grab something that holds up well in broth.
- No Yolks Broad Noodles: These thick noodles stay tender without getting mushy, but you can use any noodles—just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a natural sweetness and depth, especially when softened slowly in olive oil.
- Fresh Ginger: It’s the star here, giving the soup that spicy warmth and a slight bite.
- Garlic: Aromatic base flavor that enhances the ginger without overpowering it.
- Carrots & Celery: Classic soup vegs, diced into half moons for even cooking and crunch-balanced softness.
- Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that cooks tender and shreds easily for cozy bites throughout.
- Chicken Broth: The backbone of the soup, providing savory richness. Homemade or store-bought both work great.
- Lemon Juice: Added at the end to brighten and balance the soup’s flavors beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Helps soften the veggies and cook the chicken with a subtle fruity note.
- Fresh Herbs (Parsley & Dill): A fresh finish that adds a little herbal zing and color at serving time.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you like it spicier, herb-forward, or even vegetarian, this base soup welcomes your creativity.
- Variation: I’ve made it with shredded rotisserie chicken when I’m short on time, and it’s just as good—less prep but all the flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Swap in your favorite gluten-free noodles or try rice noodles to keep it comfy without gluten.
- Extra Veggies: Sometimes I toss in chopped spinach or kale toward the end for a boost of green goodness.
- Milder or Spicy: If you want heat, a pinch of chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce works wonders here.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Chop & Prep Your Flavor Base
Start by dicing your onion, carrots, and celery into bite-size half moons—they soften beautifully and add texture. Peel and mince the fresh ginger and garlic; their aroma will fill your kitchen in no time. Having everything prepped upfront makes the cooking flow smoother.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper, then sear for about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway. The key is getting a nice golden color without rushing—internal temp should hit 165°F. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies & Aromatics
Add the second tablespoon of olive oil, then toss in your onions, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until they soften and the onions turn translucent. Then stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for just a minute until fragrant—you'll want to watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
Step 4: Build Your Broth & Simmer
Pour in the chicken broth and be sure to scrape all those delicious browned bits off the pan bottom — that’s pure flavor magic. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium, cover, and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes to meld those flavors.
Step 5: Add Noodles & Finish Cooking
Stir in your noodles, cover the pot again, and simmer for another 10-12 minutes, until the noodles are tender but not mushy. While the noodles cook, shred your chicken with two forks—that’s the best part! It integrates easily and makes every spoonful hearty.
Step 6: Brighten & Serve
Once noodles are perfectly cooked, return the shredded chicken to the pot. Squeeze in the juice of an entire lemon—this elevates the soup with a fresh, tangy pop. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with fresh parsley and dill for that herbal lift. Now dig in and enjoy!
Top Tip
I’ve made this Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe dozens of times, and small tweaks can make a huge difference. Here are some tips from my kitchen to yours:
- Don’t Rush the Chicken: Let it cook gently to keep it juicy; overcooked chicken dries out and changes texture.
- Ginger & Garlic Timing: Add them last when sautéing veggies so they remain fresh and aromatic, not bitter.
- Noodle Choice: Use noodles that hold up well—broad or egg noodles work best; thin pasta can overcook quickly.
- Lemon Juice at the End: Always add lemon juice right before serving to keep that bright, fresh zing intact.
How to Serve Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish this soup with plenty of fresh parsley and dill. They add a lovely herbaceous aroma and a pop of vibrant color. Sometimes, I'll throw in a few thin lemon slices or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper for extra zing and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
When I’m serving this soup, I like to keep things simple: a crusty baguette or warm sourdough bread is perfect for dipping. Sometimes a light crisp salad with vinaigrette balances out the warm, hearty soup nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For a lovely dinner party touch, I serve this soup in wide, shallow bowls and garnish with extra fresh herbs and a twist of lemon peel. Adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or crème fraîche on top adds a creamy contrast that guests adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the noodles soak up the broth, I sometimes keep noodles separately if I know I won’t eat it right away and combine before reheating.
Freezing
This soup freezes quite well if you leave out the noodles initially. Freeze the broth with shredded chicken and veggies in freezer-safe containers, then add fresh noodles when reheating for best texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent noodles from becoming mushy. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first. Adding a splash of extra chicken broth helps loosen the soup as it warms back up.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a richer flavor and remain juicy. Just adjust cooking time slightly and ensure they’re fully cooked before shredding.
Fresh ginger is best for that bright, spicy note, but ground ginger can work in a pinch. Use about ½ teaspoon and add it with the garlic to avoid burning.
You can substitute vegetable broth and add tofu or chickpeas for protein. Skip the chicken and adjust seasonings to taste—adding more lemon zest and fresh herbs really helps keep it flavorful.
It will keep well for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. For best texture, store noodles separately if possible and combine before reheating.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe feels like sharing a little piece of comfort and care. Its bright but cozy profile always lifts my spirits and fills the kitchen with warmth. I hope you’ll give it a try, especially on a chilly evening—you just might find yourself making it again and again.
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Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup is a comforting and flavorful weeknight dinner perfect for chilly days. Loaded with fresh ginger, garlic, lemon juice, and tender chicken, it combines wholesome ingredients to create a nourishing and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups dry No Yolks broad noodles
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 inch fresh piece of ginger, peeled and minced
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 4 medium carrots, diced into half moons
- 2 celery stalks, diced into half moons
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 8 cups (64 oz) chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh herbs (parsley and dill) to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into half moons. Peel and mince the fresh ginger and garlic. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove chicken to a plate.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add onions, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables start to soften. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook the Noodles: Add the dry noodles to the simmering pot. Cover and cook for 12 minutes or until noodles are tender.
- Shred the Chicken: While noodles cook, shred the cooked chicken breasts using two forks.
- Combine and Season: Return shredded chicken to the soup. Stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and dill. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- This soup is perfect for cold weather and makes a nutritious, cozy meal.
- You can substitute any noodles you prefer; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Fresh herbs like parsley and dill add a bright flavor and fresh finish.
- Be sure the chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature) before shredding.
- Leftovers store well and reheat nicely for next-day meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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