Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup
A comforting Chinese chicken noodle soup with tender chicken, mushrooms, carrots, and vermicelli, infused with savory soy and ginger flavors, perfect for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the chicken, salt, and enough water to cover the chicken in a Dutch oven until boiling.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 40 minutes.
- Cool the chicken and broth quickly.
- Remove the chicken from the broth and refrigerate the broth.
- Remove skin and bones from the chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Skim fat from the broth.
- Place the chicken, broth, sliced mushrooms with liquid, chopped green onion, carrots, soy sauce, sugar, and ginger into the Dutch oven.
- Heat to boiling.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until carrots are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
- Add the vermicelli and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For enhanced flavor, consider marinating the chicken in soy sauce and ginger before cooking. If you don't have vermicelli, you can substitute with thin rice noodles or even regular spaghetti in a pinch. To make it heartier, add more vegetables like bell peppers or bok choy, which are common in various Chinese recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with extra chopped green onions for freshness. This dish pairs beautifully with a side of steamed rice or dumplings for a complete meal. For a lighter option, consider serving with a simple cucumber salad on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pour the soup into a pot and warm over medium heat until steaming. You can also microwave it in a bowl, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup contains roughly 776 calories, with 7g protein, 187g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (66% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (45% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Yes, using a rotisserie chicken can save time. Just skip the initial boiling step and combine the shredded chicken directly with the broth and vegetables. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure everything is heated through.
What can I do if I don't have fresh ginger?
If fresh ginger isn't available, you can use ground ginger as a substitute. Use about 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger for every 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ginger required. Keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different, but it will still add warmth to the soup.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat to your Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup, consider incorporating sliced jalapeños or a dash of chili oil when simmering the soup. You can also serve it with sriracha on the side, allowing everyone to adjust the spice level to their liking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).