Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Rotisserie chicken: Pre-cooked and shredded, this adds convenience and flavor to the soup.

Chicken broth: Forms the base of the soup, providing a rich and savory flavor.

Carrots: Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch to the soup.

Celery: Provides a subtle, earthy flavor and a bit of texture.

Onion: Adds depth and a slight sweetness to the soup.

Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its aromatic qualities.

Thyme: A dried herb that adds a subtle, earthy flavor.

Parsley: A dried herb that adds a fresh, slightly peppery flavor.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the soup.

Egg noodles: These cook quickly and add a hearty texture to the soup.

When shredding the rotisserie chicken, make sure to remove any skin and bones to ensure a smooth texture in your soup. For a richer flavor, you can sauté the garlic and onion until they are golden brown before adding the carrots and celery. This will enhance the overall depth of the broth. Additionally, slightly undercook the egg noodles if you plan to store leftovers, as they will continue to absorb liquid and soften over time.

• rotisserie chicken - Substitute with cooked shredded turkey: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a great alternative.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth provides a similar depth of flavor and is a good option for vegetarians.

• carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a slightly sweeter taste but a similar texture when cooked.

• celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a subtle anise flavor and maintains a similar crunch.

• onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder, slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder garlic flavor and can be used in a similar quantity.

• dried thyme - Substitute with dried oregano: Oregano has a robust flavor that complements soups well.

• dried parsley - Substitute with dried basil: Basil offers a sweet, aromatic flavor that pairs well with other herbs.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds umami and saltiness, enhancing the soup's flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat with a slightly different flavor profile.

• egg noodles - Substitute with rice noodles: Rice noodles are a gluten-free alternative that works well in soups.

• Allow the soup to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy noodles and a diluted flavor.

• Transfer the soup to airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers. This makes reheating a breeze and ensures you only thaw what you need.

• Label the containers with the date. Chicken noodle soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If freezing, it can last up to 3 months.

• When freezing, leave some space at the top of the container. Liquid expands when frozen, and this prevents the container from cracking.

• For best results, freeze the soup without the noodles. Noodles can become mushy when thawed and reheated. Instead, cook fresh noodles when you're ready to enjoy the soup.

• To reheat refrigerated soup, pour it into a pot and warm over medium heat until hot. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

• If reheating from frozen, it's best to thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as above.

• For a quicker option, you can reheat frozen soup directly on the stove. Place the frozen soup in a pot, cover, and heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until fully thawed and heated through.

• Adjust the seasoning after reheating. Sometimes, soups can lose a bit of their punch after being stored, so a pinch of salt or a dash of pepper might be needed to bring back the full flavor.

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Pour the leftover rotisserie chicken noodle soup into a large pot.
  2. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  3. Once the soup begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and let it warm through for about 5-10 minutes.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

• For microwave reheating:

  1. Transfer a portion of the soup into a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or a plate to prevent splatters.
  3. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes if necessary.
  5. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• For oven reheating:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the leftover soup to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the noodles from drying out.
  4. Heat in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the soup is heated through.
  5. Stir the soup halfway through the heating process to ensure even warming.

• For slow cooker reheating:

  1. Pour the leftover soup into your slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to the low setting.
  3. Allow the soup to heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  4. Once heated through, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting until ready to serve.

• Large pot: Used to cook the soup and combine all the ingredients.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the vegetables and soup without scratching the pot.

• Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the onion, carrots, and celery.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables and shredding the chicken.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the chicken broth and egg noodles accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Ladle: Perfect for serving the hot soup into bowls.

• Tongs: Useful for handling the shredded rotisserie chicken.

• Colander: Helps to drain the egg noodles if needed before adding them to the soup.

Use pre-chopped vegetables: Save time by buying pre-chopped carrots, celery, and onions from the store.

Pre-minced garlic: Opt for pre-minced garlic to cut down on prep time.

Quick-cook noodles: Use quick-cooking egg noodles to reduce cooking time.

Rotisserie chicken: Utilize a store-bought rotisserie chicken to skip the step of cooking and shredding your own.

Batch cooking: Make a large batch and freeze portions for future meals.