• Recipes
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • The Edit
  • Beyond the Kale
  • HypePress
  • Contact
Recipes
About
cookbook
the edit
Beyond the Kale
Hype
contact
search

sign up for insights and exclusives

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading

Delicious, nourishing and totally doable!

Search your way

From “gluten free and cheesy” to “something cozy with cinnamon” this search gets you. It’s smart enough to find exactly what you’re craving.

Non-Negotiables? Dial In
the Vibes even fuRther!

🍂 all the fall
🥑 Paleo Friendly
🐄 beef
🍖 chicken
🥤 smoothies
🍪 cookies
🥗 big ass salads

Delicious, nourishing and totally doable!

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with spaghetti, shredded chicken, carrot slices, and lemon wedge garnished with fresh parsley. There is a wooden spoon, a bunch of parsley in a bowl, a glass of beverage, a napkin, and another bowl of soup in the background.
  • Dairy Free
  • Refined Sugar Free

5 from 1 vote
Home | Recipe | Soups

Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup – Two Ways!

Protein 22g
Carbs 11g
Fats 25g
There is nothing better when you're feeling under the weather than a cozy bowl of chicken noodle soup. This is my Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup, and it is a better-for-you take on the classic recipe. It comes together with two different methods, making it so easy to throw together on those days when you're not feeling well (or any other day!)

Recipe by:

Nicole Modic

May 29, 2024
Jump to Recipe

Skip to the goods

    There is nothing better when you’re feeling under the weather than a cozy bowl of chicken noodle soup. This is my Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup, and it is a better-for-you take on the classic recipe. It comes together with two different methods, making it so easy to throw together on those days when you’re not feeling well (or any other day!)

    A pot of homemade chicken noodle soup is filled with shredded chicken, spaghetti noodles, sliced carrots, and herbs in a flavorful broth. A ladle rests in the pot, ready to serve. Fresh cilantro, lemon slices, and wooden utensils are in the background.

    Blast this to the group chat

    76 shares

    Friends, no matter what time of year it is, whenever myself or one of my boys is feeling under-the-weather, I make a big batch of chicken noodle soup. It’s the classic for a reason! Growing up, when I was sick, my mom would prepare cans of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup with saltine crackers to help me get my energy back up. The combination of the warm soup, paired with the crunchy crackers, was everything that I needed!

    But now, I’ve perfected my own recipe for a Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup that is so simple and easy to make. And, as a bonus: it comes together two different ways. First, in an Instant Pot for an easy, (mostly) hands-off recipe. And second, in a traditional pot, on the stove, for the classic preparation method!

    Plus, like most soup recipes, this is one that gets better with time. As the flavors stew together, the result is a rich, flavorful soup that is packed with flavor. Yum!

    Top-down view of a kitchen countertop with ingredients for a chicken noodle soup. Includes uncooked pasta, chicken thighs, chopped carrots, celery, onions, garlic, spices, herbs, olive oil, a knife, and bowls of broth and water on a wooden cutting board.
    To make this soup, you will need carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, chicken thighs, olive oil or butter, garlic, pasta, water, seasonings, and parsley.
    A top-down view of a white pot on a wooden cutting board filled with chopped carrots, celery, and onions. A wooden spoon rests in the pot. Surrounding the pot are herbs, seasonings, a knife, a small bowl of spices, and other ingredients ready for cooking.
    Heat a large pot, on the stove, and add in the oil or butter. Then, add in the chopped onions, carrot, and celery. Allow them to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring well.

    What You Need to Make This Warm and Cozy Soup

    • 🥕 Carrots: Carrots are rich in Vitamin A and betacarotene, which adds a healthy balance to this soup.
    • Celery: Celery is loaded with fiber, helping you stay fuller for longer!
    • 🧅 Onion: Any onion works well, in this recipe, but I recommend a white or yellow onion!
    • Chicken Broth or Bone Broth: Of course, it wouldn’t be a soup without the broth! A high-quality chicken broth makes the perfect liquid base for this soup. If you want a boost of protein, you can also opt for chicken bone broth.
    A pot of raw chicken thighs seasoned with spices sits atop chopped carrots, celery, and onions. A measuring cup filled with broth is being poured into the pot. Nearby are a wooden spoon, a bowl of uncooked pasta, seasoning, a dish with herbs, and a bottle of oil.
    • 🍗 Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs work perfect, for this recipe.
    • Olive Oil or Butter: If you want to keep this recipe dairy-free, opt to use oil. But if you want a richer flavor, I love using butter!
    • 🧄 Garlic: Don’t skip the fresh garlic, here – it’s the best!
    • Pasta: Any pasta shape works well, for this recipe. And if you want to keep this soup gluten-free, you can use any gluten-free pasta of your choosing!
    • 💦 Water: A little water ensures that this soup gets to the right texture.
    • Seasonings: To season this soup, you’ll need a combination of turmeric, sea salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, dried dill, and paprika.
    • Parsley: Fresh, chopped parsley adds the perfect finishing touch to this soup recipe!
    A large white pot filled with chicken noodle soup is shown. Three pieces of chicken, a bundle of pasta, and slices of carrot and celery are visible in the flavorful broth. A wooden spoon rests on the pot, and herbs and seasonings are scattered around.
    Next, add in the chicken thighs, chicken broth or bone broth, water, pasta, all of the spices (the turmeric, sea salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, dried dill, paprika, and parsley) and stir to combine.

    Two Ways to Make This Chicken Noodle Soup

    There are two ways to bring this soup to life: first, with an Instant Pot, and second, with a pot on the stove. Both methods work just as well, and yield the perfect chicken noodle soup, every time!

    How to Make This Soup in an Instant Pot:

    To make this soup in an Instant Pot, start by preparing the veggies. Wash and chop the carrots, celery, and onion, and set them aside. Next, turn the Instant Pot on to the “sauté” setting and add in the oil or butter.

    Once the pot has warmed up, add in the chopped onions, carrot, and celery, alongside the mashed garlic and sea salt. Allow them to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring well. Next, add in the chicken thighs, chicken broth or bone broth, water, pasta, all of the spices (the turmeric, sea salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, dried dill, paprika, and parsley) and stir to combine.

    Then, turn the Instant Pot on the ‘soup’ function and allow everything to cook for about 8 minutes. Once the 8 minutes are up, allow the pressure to release on its own. Then, remove the chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and transfer them to a plate.

    Use two forks to shred the chicken thighs, removing the bones from them. Then, transfer the shredded chicken back to the pot, and stir to combine. Finally, garnish with chopped parsley, then serve and enjoy!

    A large white pot filled with chicken noodle soup. The soup contains shredded chicken, long noodles, carrot slices, and herbs. A ladle rests in the pot, ready to serve. The broth appears rich and flavorful with visible seasoning and fresh parsley garnishes.
    Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes. At the 35 minute mark, add in the pasta and stir before placing the cover back on the pot.
    A bowl of chicken noodle soup with spaghetti, shredded chicken, carrot slices, and lemon wedge garnished with fresh parsley. There is a wooden spoon, a bunch of parsley in a bowl, a glass of beverage, a napkin, and another bowl of soup in the background.
    Once the 45 minutes are up, remove the chicken thighs from the pot and transfer them to a plate. Use two forks to shred the chicken thighs, removing the bones from them. Then, transfer the shredded chicken back to the pot, and stir to combine.

    How to Make This Soup on a Stovetop:

    If you’re not using an Instant Pot, follow steps 1-5 above, replacing the Instant Pot with a soup pot, on the stove, on medium-high heat. Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes. At the 35 minute mark, add in the pasta and stir before placing the cover back on the pot.

    Once the 45 minutes are up, remove the chicken thighs from the pot and transfer them to a plate. Use two forks to shred the chicken thighs, removing the bones from them. Then, transfer the shredded chicken back to the pot, and stir to combine.

    Finally, garnish with chopped parsley, then serve and enjoy!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs?

    Yes, you can. However, I recommend using chicken thighs, as they are much more flavorful!

    What kind of noodles can I use?

    Any noodles work well, in this recipe! You can use a shorter-grain pasta, like egg noodles, penne, or even orzo. Or, you can opt for longer noodles, like spaghetti or fettuccine. Use what you have!

    Can I make this soup vegetarian-friendly?

    Yes! Simply swap out the chicken broth for a vegetable broth, and replace the chicken with a plant-based chicken alternative. I also recommend adding in some additional veggies (like mushrooms) for more flavor!

    How can I freeze leftover soup?

    To freeze this soup, prepare it as instructed and allow it to cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the freezer, for up to three months. Once you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.

    If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

    ** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
    A pot of homemade chicken noodle soup is filled with shredded chicken, spaghetti noodles, sliced carrots, and herbs in a flavorful broth. A ladle rests in the pot, ready to serve. Fresh cilantro, lemon slices, and wooden utensils are in the background.

    Home | Recipe | Soups

    5 from 1 vote

    Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup – Two Ways!

    • Dairy Free
    • Refined Sugar Free
    There is nothing better when you're feeling under the weather than a cozy bowl of chicken noodle soup. This is my Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup, and it is a better-for-you take on the classic recipe. It comes together with two different methods, making it so easy to throw together on those days when you're not feeling well (or any other day!)
    print pin
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 3 Large Carrots, peeled and chopped
    • 4 Spears Celery, chopped
    • 1 Onion
    • 3 Cups Chicken Broth or Bone Broth
    • 3 Chicken Thighs, bone-in, skin-on
    • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Butter
    • 4 Cloves Garlic, mashed
    • 1 12 Ounce Package Pasta of Choice
    • 4 Cups Water
    • ½ Teaspoon Turmeric
    • 1 Tablespoon Sea Salt
    • 1 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • 1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano
    • 1 Tablespoon Dried Dill
    • 1 Teaspoon Paprika
    • Parsley, chopped – for garnishing

    Instructions 

    To make this soup in an Instant Pot:
    1. To make this soup in an Instant Pot, start by preparing the veggies. Wash and chop the carrots, celery, and onion, and set them aside.
    2. Next, turn the Instant Pot on to the "sauté" setting and add in the oil or butter.
    3. Once the pot has warmed up, add in the chopped onions, carrot, and celery, alongside the mashed garlic and sea salt.
    4. Allow them to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring well.
    5. Next, add in the chicken thighs, chicken broth or bone broth, water, pasta, all of the spices (the turmeric, sea salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, dried dill, paprika, and parsley) and stir to combine.
    6. Then, turn the Instant Pot on the 'soup' function and allow everything to cook for about 8 minutes.
    7. Once the 8 minutes are up, allow the pressure to release on its own.
    8. Then, remove the chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and transfer them to a plate.
    9. Use two forks to shred the chicken thighs, removing the bones from them. Then, transfer the shredded chicken back to the pot, and stir to combine.
    10. Finally, garnish with chopped parsley, then serve and enjoy!
    To make this soup in a pot on the stove:
    1. If you're not using an Instant Pot, follow steps 1-5 above, replacing the Instant Pot with a soup pot, on the stove, on medium-high heat.
    2. Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes.
    3. At the 35 minute mark, add in the pasta and stir before placing the cover back on the pot.
    4. Once the 45 minutes are up, remove the chicken thighs from the pot and transfer them to a plate.
    5. Use two forks to shred the chicken thighs, removing the bones from them. Then, transfer the shredded chicken back to the pot, and stir to combine.
    6. Finally, garnish with chopped parsley, then serve and enjoy!
    Nutrition Hide Nutrition
    Calories: 351kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 22gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 1930mgPotassium: 467mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 9407IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg
    Hey I’m Nicole!

    Founder of Kale junkie

    Your go-to girl for bold, nourishing eats that actually taste good.

    more goss
    follow along
    newest recipes
    • Copycat Nordstrom Tomato Soup

      Copycat Nordstrom Tomato Soup

    • Better Than Takeout Broccoli

      Better Than Takeout Broccoli

    • Air Fryer Crispy Salmon Bites with Lemon Dill Sauce

      Air Fryer Crispy Salmon Bites with Lemon Dill Sauce

    • Pepperoni & Veggie Chicken Crust Pizza

      Pepperoni & Veggie Chicken Crust Pizza

    avoid the fomo

    The unfiltered Kale Junkie experience. Real-life bits you won’t find anywhere else, it’s all happening here.

    subscribe
    trending recipes
    The sliced beef tenderloin, sitting on a plate next to crispy smashed potatoes and grilled broccolini
    The Ultimate Easy Beef Tenderloin
    A big pot of the one-pan "Marry Me" chicken orzo, sitting on a countertop with a spoon resting inside of it
    One-Pan “Marry Me” Chicken Orzo
    Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup

    More Recipes Like This

    A bowl of the cozy turkey noodle soup, sitting on a countertop
    Soups

    Cozy Turkey Noodle Soup

    A pot of noodle soup with uncooked rice noodles, leafy greens, minced meat, and chopped vegetables in a rich, reddish broth, placed on a green textured surface.
    Dinner

    Spicy-ish Ground Chicken Noodle Bowls

    A close-up image of a bowl of the cauliflower lentil pumpkin soup, sitting on a countertop with a spoon resting in the bowl
    Soups

    Gut-Healthy Cauliflower Pumpkin Lentil Soup

    A bowl of the chicken dumpling soup, sitting on a countertop with a spoon resting on the edge of the bowl
    Soups

    Hearty Dairy-Free Chicken Dumpling Soup

    Rate & review

    SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!

    Response

    1. Joey
      September 4, 2024

      5 stars
      call me crazy but I’ve been enjoying this recipe all summer long and will obvious continue into the winter!

      Reply

    Delicious, nourishing
    and totally doable!

    Get the inside scoop

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading
    • About
    • Cookbook
    • The Edit
    • Hype
    • Contact
    instagram
    TikTok
    Facebook
    YouTube
    Pinterest
    © 2025 Kalejunkie. All Rights Reserved.

    Website by Saevil Row + Made To Thrive

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    This worked exactly as written, thanks!
    My family loved this!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required