Welcome to your new favorite go-to recipe for ultimate comfort! This hearty rotisserie chicken noodle soup transforms simple leftovers into a truly satisfying meal. It’s the perfect solution for that delicious rotisserie chicken you bought, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Get ready for a quick, flavorful, and incredibly comforting dish that will nourish your family and warm your soul. This rotisserie chicken recipes leftover soup is a true weeknight hero.
Why You’ll Love This Hearty Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
- Effortless Preparation: You start with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, drastically cutting down on meal prep time. This makes quick meals easy.
- Rich, Deep Flavor: The delicious seasoned rotisserie chicken adds a complexity to the broth that’s hard to achieve with raw chicken. It’s truly the secret ingredient.
- Budget-Friendly: Maximizing your value from leftovers is smart, turning one meal into two and saving money. The World Resources Institute highlights how reducing food waste through resourceful cooking, like utilizing leftovers, offers significant financial and environmental benefits of reducing food waste. This recipe gives new life to your bird.
- Wholesome & Comforting: Classic ingredients like tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and savory broth create a truly nourishing and cozy bowl. It’s pure comfort food.
- Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe to your family’s tastes or whatever vegetables you have on hand. Make it uniquely yours every time.
Ingredients
Making delicious rotisserie chicken recipes leftover soup starts with a few simple staples. This easy recipe uses up your leftover chicken beautifully.
- Leftover Rotisserie Chicken: 3-4 cups, shredded (from about a 2-pound chicken).
- Olive Oil or Butter: 1 tablespoon.
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped.
- Carrots: 2 medium, peeled and sliced.
- Celery: 2 stalks, sliced.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
- Chicken Broth/Stock: 8 cups (64 oz), low sodium.
- Bay Leaf: 1.
- Dried Thyme: 1 teaspoon.
- Egg Noodles: 2 cups (medium).
- Fresh Parsley: ¼ cup, chopped, for garnish.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
Notes & Substitutions
- Chicken: Feel free to use a mix of white and dark meat from your leftover rotisserie chicken. Both add great flavor and texture.
- Broth: For an even richer taste, consider using homemade chicken stock if you have it. Low sodium broth allows you to control the salt content.
- Mirepoix: Short on time? Pre-chopped frozen onion, carrots, and celery mix works perfectly and saves chopping.
- Noodles: Swap egg noodles for other small pasta shapes like orzo, ditalini, or even rice. Adjust cooking times as needed.
- Herbs: Dried rosemary or sage are excellent substitutes for thyme if you prefer. Fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs can also be added.
Equipment
You don’t need fancy gadgets to create this comforting soup. A few basic kitchen tools are all it takes.
- Large Dutch oven or stockpot (at least 6-quart capacity)
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Transforming your leftover rotisserie chicken into this amazing soup is simpler than you think. Follow these steps for a heartwarming meal. This is one of the easiest rotisserie chicken recipes leftover soup dishes you’ll ever make.
- Prep Vegetables: Begin by chopping your onion, carrots, and celery into small, uniform pieces. This ensures they cook evenly. Shred your cooked rotisserie chicken and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil or butter in your large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it. This adds a crucial layer of flavor.
- Build Flavor: Pour in the chicken broth or stock. Add the bay leaf and dried thyme to the pot. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow it to simmer for 10-15 minutes, letting the flavors meld.
- Cook Noodles: Add the egg noodles to the simmering soup. Cook them until they are al dente, following the package directions. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Chicken: Stir in your shredded rotisserie chicken during the last few minutes of noodle cooking. Heat the chicken through completely. Avoid adding the chicken too early, as it is already cooked and can dry out.
- Finish & Serve: Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy this incredible rotisserie chicken recipes leftover soup!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Bone Broth: Don’t discard your rotisserie chicken carcass! Simmer it with water and vegetables for homemade bone broth, enhancing your soup’s nutritional value and flavor. For instance, Harvard Health discusses the nutritional advantages of homemade bone broth, including its amino acids and minerals.
- Don’t Overcook Noodles: Add noodles towards the end of the cooking process. Overcooked noodles absorb too much liquid and become mushy.
- Extra Creaminess: For a richer, creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese just before serving.
- Boost Veggies: Enhance your soup with extra nutrition and flavor. Add a handful of frozen peas or fresh spinach during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Too Salty?: If your soup tastes too salty, add a raw potato slice to the simmering liquid. It will absorb some of the excess salt; just remember to remove it before serving.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile rotisserie chicken recipes leftover soup is perfect for any occasion. Here’s how to make the most of it.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your hearty chicken noodle soup piping hot with a side of crusty bread for dipping, a handful of crackers, or a light green side salad.
- Storage: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It makes a wonderful quick lunch.
- Freezing: For best results when freezing, cool the soup completely and freeze it without the noodles. Noodles can get mushy after freezing and thawing. When reheating, cook fresh noodles separately and add them to the warmed soup.
- Reheating: Reheat soup gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If it’s too thick, add a little extra chicken broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
Delicious Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to your bowl for a warming, spicy twist.
- Lemon Herb: Brighten the flavors by stirring in the juice and zest of half a lemon just before serving, along with extra fresh herbs.
- Cheesy Comfort: For an ultimate comfort food experience, stir in a handful of grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Rice Instead of Noodles: If you prefer, swap out the egg noodles for cooked white or brown rice. Add pre-cooked rice at the same time as the chicken.
Nutrition Information
Please note that nutritional values for homemade recipes are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. This rotisserie chicken noodle soup is packed with protein from the chicken and essential vitamins from the array of healthy vegetables. We recommend calculating precise values using your preferred nutrition tracker for the most accurate information.
| Nutrient | Estimated Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 70mg |
| Sodium | 850mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 4g |
| Protein | 28g |
FAQ
- Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, absolutely! Thaw and shred frozen cooked chicken breast or thighs, then add them as directed.
- How much chicken do I need? Aim for about 2-3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken for this recipe, which typically comes from one standard chicken.
- What kind of noodles are best? Medium egg noodles are classic for chicken noodle soup, but feel free to use your favorite small pasta.
- Can I make this soup in a slow cooker? You certainly can! Combine all ingredients except noodles and parsley. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, then add noodles during the last 30 minutes.
- Is this soup freezer-friendly? Yes, it is! For the best texture after thawing, freeze the soup without the noodles, then cook fresh noodles when reheating. This ensures your rotisserie chicken recipes leftover soup tastes fresh.
Conclusion
This hearty rotisserie chicken noodle soup is truly a kitchen hero, offering ultimate comfort with minimal effort. It’s the perfect, simple solution for transforming your leftover rotisserie chicken into a delicious, nourishing meal the whole family will love. Embrace your creativity with the suggested variations, making each bowl uniquely yours. Enjoy the warmth and satisfaction of this easy-to-make dish, proving that the best meals often start with clever repurposing. This rotisserie chicken recipes leftover soup is a keeper!
Hearty Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup: The Best Leftover Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Sauté the diced carrots, celery, and onion in olive oil in a large pot until softened. Add minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf; bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become tender.
- Stir in the egg noodles and shredded rotisserie chicken; cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the noodles are al dente. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste; ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty leftover meal.