Chicken Noodle Soup Five Ways

Chicken Noodle Soup Five Ways— discover deliciously creative and easy to prepare variations on the classic comfort soup.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: there’s a lot to be said about making a pot of soup on the weekend for the week ahead. It not only saves you, the busy cook, time and money, but most soups are filled with delicious ingredients that are good for you too! Now that cold and flu season is right around the corner, I’m know I’ll be making chicken noodle soup more often than not. While I’m fine with the traditional chicken broth noodle combo, I know my guys get a little bored of the classic. So today I’m bringing you chicken noodle soup five ways!

Before I share the nitty gritty, my biggest secret for making a fast and flavorful chicken noodle soup is to precook the chicken ahead of time. You know, like my simple shredded chicken that I’ve been known to make once or twice a week. So then when it’s time to sauté the veggies and cook the noodles and broth, I can just put the chicken right in without having to wait for it to cook! Just another time saving trick or reason you should always have shredded chicken on hand. Along with shredded chicken, I also have my go-to chicken noodle soup recipe.

From here, I change my favorite chicken noodle soup recipe and add snazzy, fresh ingredients which take the classic over the top in flavor! Are you ready for the five ways? Here we go…

Now I know what you might be thinking… how many servings does the “base” of your soup make? How much soy sauce do I add if I’m using the Asian Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup? Or what’s the kale to cannellini bean ratio if I’m making the Veggie Packed Chicken Noodle Soup? Honestly, I’m a no recipe recipe kind of cook and I just add a little, taste, and add a little more! Or if it helps you could start with a teaspoon of soy sauce, lemon zest, etc. and a ¼ cup of extra veggies and go from there. What I’d suggest doing is having extra chicken broth on hand. That’s it! Extra chicken broth makes your recipe “forgiving”… or makes room for more soup if you’re pot is overflowing with veggies. Oh but I can answer this: my chicken noodle soup recipe usually feeds 4-6, easily.

If you are a follow-a-recipe type of cook [my Mom is too!] I have also linked to five chicken noodle soup recipes that fit into one of my variations above.

Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup via Real Simple

Italian Chicken Soup via The Pioneer Woman

Asian Chicken Noodle Soup via Food Network

Chunky Vegetable Chicken Noodle Soup via Rachel Ray

Thai Curry Chicken Noodle Soup via Foxes Loves Lemons

Oh and what the heck, here’s my absolute favorite chicken noodle soup variation: Roasted Garlic Chicken Noodle Soup. So kick the flu and common cold to the curb this season with chicken noodle soup five ways. Your body will thank me!