Hearty Paula Deen Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Comforting Paula Deen Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Paula Deen’s chicken noodle soup whispers comfort through every simmering spoonful, beckoning hungry souls to its warm embrace.

Southern culinary magic transforms humble ingredients into a bowl of pure, soul-nourishing bliss.

Tender chicken and silky noodles weave a tapestry of flavor that dances across taste buds with delightful complexity.

Aromatic herbs and carefully selected seasonings elevate this classic recipe from mundane to magnificent.

Crisp vegetables burst with color and nutrition, adding depth to each hearty ladle.

The soup’s rich, golden broth promises healing and happiness in every steaming bite.

You’ll crave this recipe that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that hugs you from the inside out.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Chicken Noodle Soup

For Soup Base:
  • Whole Chicken: Choose a plump, fresh bird with firm, pink skin for maximum flavor depth.
  • Bay Leaves: Select aromatic, intact leaves with vibrant green color and no discoloration.
  • Bouillon Cubes: Opt for low-sodium varieties to control salt content and enhance natural flavors.
  • Onion: Pick firm, heavy onions with smooth, shiny skin for robust taste.
  • Carrots: Select bright orange, crisp carrots without soft spots or blemishes.
  • Celery: Choose stalks that are firm, glossy, and bright green with minimal wilting.
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Look for blends with coarse, fresh pepper and zesty lemon notes.
  • Garlic Cloves: Choose plump, firm cloves with tight, unbroken skin.
  • Italian Seasoning: Select a blend with vibrant, fragrant dried herbs.
  • Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for clean, pure seasoning.
  • Black Pepper: Freshly ground offers superior aroma and taste.
  • Water: Use filtered water for cleanest stock flavor.
For Soup Enrichment:
  • Mushrooms: Select firm, unblemished mushrooms with no signs of moisture.
  • Fresh Parsley: Choose bright green, crisp leaves with no wilting.
  • Sherry: Select a dry cooking sherry for deep, complex undertones.
  • Fresh Rosemary: Pick sprigs with vibrant green needles and strong aromatic scent.
For Optional Finishing:
  • Parmesan Cheese: Choose authentic, aged cheese with nutty, sharp flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Select high-quality cream with rich, smooth consistency.

Cooking Tools for Paula Deen Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Large Soup Pot: A spacious, deep cooking vessel perfect for simmering and creating rich, flavorful stocks.
  • Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients safely.
  • Sharp Kitchen Knife: Essential for precise chopping of onions, carrots, celery, and herbs.
  • Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
  • Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure water and ingredients for consistent results.
  • Colander or Strainer: Useful for draining noodles and separating chicken from bones.
  • Shredding Utensil: Helps pull apart cooked chicken meat smoothly and efficiently.
  • Ladle: Perfect for transferring hot stock and serving the soup.

Soup-Making Instructions from Paula Deen

Soup-Making Instructions from Paula Deen
  • Brew Flavorful Liquid Base

Toss a whole chicken into a spacious cooking pot with aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery. Sprinkle in herbs and seasonings that will transform your broth into a magical elixir. Pour water to generously cover everything and let the mixture gently bubble for about 40 minutes until chicken becomes wonderfully tender.

  • Prepare Chicken Meat

Pull chicken from the pot and allow it to cool enough to handle safely. Strip meat from bones, discarding skin and unwanted parts. Strain your liquid base to ensure a crystal-clear, rich stock that will become the soul of your soup.

  • Combine and Complete Soup

Drop egg noodles directly into the warm stock, letting them cook until perfectly soft. Fold shredded chicken back into the pot along with fresh herbs like parsley and optional luxurious touches such as mushrooms or a splash of sherry. Simmer everything together for a few moments, taste and adjust seasonings to make your soup sing with flavor. Ladle into warm bowls and savor each comforting spoonful of homemade goodness.

Flavorful Tips for Chicken Noodle Soup

Replace chicken with turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even tofu for a vegetarian twist. Each alternative brings a unique flavor profile to your comfort bowl.

Toss in extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or kale to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors to your soup.

Experiment with different herbs and spices like thyme, oregano, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to create your signature soup variation.

Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk for a luxurious, velvety texture that elevates the classic recipe to a whole new level of deliciousness.

How to Serve a Bowl of Comfort

  • Elevate Your Chicken Soup Experience
  • Garnish with Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or rosemary on top for a burst of color and aromatic flavor that transforms the soup from simple to stunning.
  • Cheese Lover's Delight: Grate some Parmesan cheese over the hot soup to add a rich, salty dimension that complements the tender chicken and savory broth.
  • Creamy Comfort Twist: Swirl in a splash of heavy cream for an indulgent, velvety texture that makes the soup feel extra luxurious and comforting.
  • Bread Pairing Power: Serve alongside crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up the delicious broth and create a more substantial meal.

Keeping Chicken Noodle Soup Fresh

  • Preserve Soup Freshness: Store homemade chicken noodle soup in airtight containers, keeping it refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain optimal flavor and quality.
  • Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving one-inch headspace for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for quick, delicious emergency meals.
  • Smart Reheating Techniques: Gently warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth to restore original consistency and prevent noodles from becoming mushy.
  • Portion Control Strategy: Separate soup into individual serving containers before storing. This approach allows convenient single-serving reheating and prevents repeatedly warming the entire batch.
Print
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Hearty Paula Deen Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Hearty Paula Deen Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Hearty paula deen chicken noodle soup brings comfort and warmth to hungry families with classic Southern hospitality. Rich broth, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked noodles will satisfy anyone craving homemade goodness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2 ½ to 3 lbs/40-48 oz) cut up whole chicken
  • 3 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 3 ½ quarts/14 cups water
  • 2 ½ cups uncooked egg noodles
  • 1 peeled and diced onion
  • 2 cups sliced carrots
  • 2 cups sliced with leafy green tops celery
  • 1 cup sliced rinsed and drained mushrooms
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • ⅓ cup cooking sherry
  • 3 tbsps chopped, plus more fresh parsley
  • 2 tsps chopped fresh rosemary
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 ½ to 2 tsps Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Paula Deen Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • to taste Paula Deen Seasoned Salt
  • freshly ground to taste black pepper
  • ¾ cup (optional) heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated (optional) Parmesan cheese
  • for serving crusty French bread

Instructions

  1. Broth Creation: Combine bay leaves, bouillon cubes, onion, carrots, celery, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic, whole chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large soup pot. Fill with water and simmer for 35-45 minutes until chicken becomes fork-tender.
  2. Chicken Preparation: Carefully extract chicken from the pot and transfer to a cutting board. Strain and reserve approximately 3 quarts of aromatic stock, discarding bay leaves. Cool chicken slightly, then meticulously shred meat, removing skin, bones, and cartilage.
  3. Noodle Integration: Return strained stock to pot and bring to a gentle boil. Add egg noodles, cooking until al dente, typically 6-8 minutes. Reintroduce shredded chicken to the bubbling liquid.
  4. Flavor Enhancement: Fold in sliced mushrooms, fresh chopped parsley, a splash of sherry, and aromatic rosemary. Optional: Swirl in cream and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 2 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize. Fine-tune seasoning with seasoned salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Broth Boosting Tip: Use homemade chicken stock for deeper, richer flavor complexity that elevates the entire soup’s taste profile.
  • Chicken Selection Strategy: Choose a whole chicken with good marbling for maximum moisture and natural richness in the final dish.
  • Seasoning Symphony: Layer seasonings gradually, tasting throughout cooking to create balanced and nuanced flavor depth.
  • Texture Transformation: Shred chicken while still warm for easier separation and more tender meat pieces that blend seamlessly into the soup.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 1200 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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