This chicken noodle soup builds a broth from sautéed vegetables and garlic, then adds already-shredded rotisserie chicken along with egg noodles at the same time, ready in about 25 minutes total. Using rotisserie chicken from the start rather than raw chicken is what keeps the whole soup to a 15-minute cook time, since nothing needs to simmer long enough to cook through.
Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 1/2 cups egg noodles
- 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 5–6 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Add rotisserie chicken, noodles, and seasoning.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
- Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Recipe Notes
- For extra flavor, stir in a spoonful of chicken bouillon or a parmesan rind while simmering.
- Use gluten-free noodles to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Great for freezing—just undercook noodles slightly before freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 bowl
- Calories
- 260
- Sugar
- 3g
- Sodium
- 700mg
- Fat
- 9g
- Saturated Fat
- 2g
- Unsaturated Fat
- 5g
- Trans Fat
- 0g
- Carbohydrates
- 20g
- Fiber
- 2g
- Protein
- 22g
- Cholesterol
- 50mg
Why the noodles and cooked chicken go in together
- Sautéing the onion, carrots, and celery before adding the broth builds a base flavor layer in a few minutes that would otherwise need a longer simmer to develop.
- Adding the noodles and pre-cooked chicken together lets one simmer time do double duty - the 10-12 minutes needed to cook the noodles is also enough to fully warm the chicken through.
How to keep the noodles from overcooking
- Add the lemon juice at the end, off the heat, as the recipe lists it last, so its brightness isn't cooked away during the simmer.
- Stir in a spoonful of chicken bouillon or a parmesan rind while simmering, as the recipe's own notes suggest, for extra depth if your rotisserie chicken's flavor is on the milder side.
Troubleshooting
The noodles turned soft or broke apart in leftovers.
Noodles keep absorbing broth even after the soup is off the heat. The recipe's own notes suggest slightly undercooking noodles if freezing portions, and the same logic helps for next-day leftovers.
The broth tastes thin.
Since this recipe relies on store-bought broth rather than a long homemade stock, taste and season at the end, and consider the recipe's own suggestion of a parmesan rind or bouillon for extra depth.
Soup tastes bland.
don’t just add salt – try a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to brighten flavors, or a parmesan rind simmered in the broth for depth.
Refrigerate promptly and use within 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), adding a little extra broth as the noodles keep absorbing liquid while stored.
Serve with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for Chicken Noodle Soup?
Absolutely! It’s the perfect shortcut for delicious Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken. Just shred the meat and add the carcass to your broth for extra flavor.
How do I keep noodles from getting soggy?
Cook noodles separately and add them to individual serving bowls rather than the main soup pot. For leftovers, store noodles separately from the broth.
Can this soup be made in a slow cooker?
Yes! Add all ingredients except noodles and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred chicken, add cooked noodles before serving, and enjoy!
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Definitely, but freeze without noodles. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months and add fresh noodles when reheating for best texture.
How can I make this soup more filling?
Add extra vegetables like mushrooms or potatoes, use heartier noodles, or serve with crusty bread. You can also increase the chicken amount for more protein.
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