Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for Under Three Dollars a Bowl
Homemade chicken noodle soup with lean chicken, carrots, and thyme for about $2.64 a serving, made with no-salt-added broth so you control the salt.
Ingredients
| boneless, skinless chicken breast | 600 g |
| no-salt-added chicken broth (about 900 ml each) | 2 cartons |
| water | 500 ml |
| broad egg noodles | 200 g |
| medium carrots, sliced into coins | 3 |
| celery stalks, sliced | 3 |
| medium yellow onion, diced | 1 |
| garlic cloves, minced | 3 |
| dried thyme | 5 ml |
| olive oil | 15 ml |
| salt and pepper, starting with about 2 ml salt | To taste |
Steps
- 1Soften the vegetables. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, until the onion softens.
- 2Add the aromatics. Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- 3Poach the chicken. Pour in the broth and water, add the whole chicken breasts, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer so the chicken stays tender.
- 4Check the temperature. Simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, until the thickest part of each breast reaches 74°C on a food thermometer.
- 5Shred the chicken. Lift the chicken onto a cutting board and shred it with two forks.
- 6Cook the noodles. Bring the soup back to a boil, add the noodles, and cook according to the package, usually 6 to 8 minutes, until tender.
- 7Season and serve. Return the chicken to the pot, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.
Lean chicken breast gives every bowl roughly 25 to 30 grams of protein, and the no-salt-added broth keeps sodium far lower than most canned versions. Carrots, celery and onion add vitamins and fibre.
This is the soup that makes the house smell like someone is taking care of you. It is the bowl everyone wants when the first cold of the season arrives, and most of the work is simply chopping.
This chicken noodle soup feeds six for about $2.64 a serving and takes 50 minutes from cutting board to table. It uses lean chicken breast for protein and no-salt-added broth, which lets you decide how much salt goes into the pot instead of leaving that decision to a carton.
How do you keep the chicken tender?
Poaching the chicken right in the broth is the trick that keeps the chicken tender instead of dry and stringy, and it flavours the broth at the same time. Resist the urge to rush it with a hard boil. Health Canada's safe cooking temperatures list 74°C for chicken pieces, and a digital thermometer takes the guessing out of it.
Why start with no-salt-added broth?
Using no-salt-added broth might sound like a recipe for bland soup, though it works the other way around. It lets you season to taste at the end, so start with about 2 ml of salt, taste, and go from there.
That control matters, because Health Canada reports that Canadians already average about 2,760 mg of sodium a day, above the 2,300 mg upper limit. Soups and broths are among the bigger sources in Canadian diets, which makes this one of the easiest places to trim. A squeeze of lemon or a handful of chopped parsley right before serving brightens the whole pot without adding any salt at all.
Can you freeze it for sick days?
This chicken noodle soup freezes well without the noodles for up to three months, which makes a double batch smart insurance for the next time someone in the house gets sick. Cool it quickly, divide it into containers, and add the noodles fresh when you reheat.
If you are planning leftovers for the fridge, cook the noodles separately and add them to each bowl, because noodles keep drinking the broth overnight and turn soft. When you warm a bowl later, bring it back to 74°C, as Health Canada's poultry safety guidance recommends for cooked chicken dishes. For another budget pot that freezes beautifully, try our healthy turkey chilli.
What makes this bowl good for you?
Lean chicken breast gives every bowl roughly 25 to 30 grams of protein, which helps keep you full and supports muscle as you age. Carrots, celery, and onion bring vitamins and fibre, and the no-salt-added broth keeps sodium far lower than most canned versions. Warm broth is also an easy way to stay hydrated when you are under the weather and not in the mood to eat much. That is a big part of why a bowl like this feels so good for you on a rough day.
If you like the idea of one pot that feeds a crowd for a few dollars a serving, our lentil cottage pie works on the same principle. For something smooth and meatless, the creamy squash soup that skips the cream is another cold-season favourite.
Frequently asked questions
How long does chicken noodle soup last in the fridge?
Refrigerate leftover chicken noodle soup within two hours of cooking in shallow containers so they cool quickly. Eat it within a few days, and reheat each bowl until it is steaming hot, at 74°C. Storing the noodles separately keeps them from turning soft, and you can freeze the soup without noodles for up to three months.
Can you use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Boneless, skinless thighs work well and stay especially juicy, though they add a little more fat and usually cost about the same or slightly less. Simmer them until they reach 74°C, then shred them just like the breasts. You can skim any fat from the surface of the soup before adding the noodles.
How do you keep noodles from getting soggy?
Cook the noodles separately if you expect leftovers, then add them to each bowl as you serve. Noodles left in broth keep absorbing liquid in the fridge and soften overnight. If you cook them in the pot, stop as soon as they are tender, since they keep cooking in the hot soup.
Your next step
If you want more meals like this that are high in protein, easy on sodium, and easy on the budget, a professional can tailor them to you. The Medimap Health Hub has more budget-friendly recipes, and you can find a registered dietitian near you to build a plan around foods you actually like.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with a doctor or other qualified health professional who knows your history. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.