how do you doctor up bland chicken noodle soup

Whether youre feeling under the weather or are just simply in need of a comforting meal, chicken noodle soup is always the answer. Store-bought or homemade, this famous soup has been filling stomachs (and hearts) with warmth for as long as weve been trying to figure out which came first: the chicken or the egg. Chicken noodle soup is a classic, and while it is simple by nature, that doesnt mean your dish has to be boring.

From the broth to the finishing touches at the end, there are endless opportunities to sneak more flavor into your chicken noodle soup. Whether its adding different spices, substituting the different elements of the soup for alternatives, or infusing flavors inspired by different cultures, lets explore a variety of creative ways to take this dish to the next level. No matter the occasion or season, keep these things in mind when you find yourself in need of a flavor-packed, chicken noodle soup pick-me-up.

Start with a flavorful broth. Use a good quality low sodium chicken broth or make your own.Add aromatic vegetables, such as onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.Add herbs and spices. … Try adding some acidity. … Add dairy. … Experiment with different proteins. … Try adding a grain. … Add some crunch.

1. Start with a flavorful broth. Use a good quality low sodium chicken broth or make your own.
2. Add aromatic vegetables, such as onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.
3. Add herbs and spices. …
4. Try adding some acidity. …
5. Add dairy. …
6. Experiment with different proteins. …
7. Try adding a grain. …
8. Add some crunch.

Make your own mirepoix

If the word “mirepoix” doesnt mean anything to you, let us introduce this classic combination to your repertoire. A staple in French cuisine, this mix of finely chopped celery, onions, and carrots is meant to add flavor to dishes with its combination of aromatics and sweetness. When cooking a homemade chicken noodle soup, a flavorful chicken stock is critical to ensure that your dish has a strong base. Chop up these three vegetables, toss them in a fat of your choice until slightly caramelized, and boil them in water alongside the other ingredients of your stock.

If youre not making a homemade stock, a mirepoix can still be used as an easy way to upgrade any store-bought broth. While it might sound too good to be true, this minimalist approach truly is the simplest trick out there to ensure that your chicken noodle soup is off to a flavor-packed start. With this trifecta, it really is as easy as one, two, three.

When it comes to sneaking flavor into chicken noodle soup, dont forget that seasoning is always on your side. Were not just talking about your basic dry seasonings, but the fresh herbs that can be added at various stages in the soup-making process to elevate its flavor. Recipes will list some of the basic seasonings to use, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasonings. These additions are a given, but were here to advise on the best freshly chopped herbs to take your soup a level above the rest.

At the beginning of the soup-making process, add fresh thyme stems and rosemary to flavor your broth with their notably strong scents and flavors, allowing them to soak into the soup early on. To top your herb-infused soup off, chopped parsley is the garnish that we all know and love. While its mainly recognized for its vibrant green color, a handful of parsley to finish off chicken noodle soup will liven up your dish and freshen up the rest of your flavors. As a rule of thumb, if your recipe calls for these herbs as dry seasonings or powders, youll want to use three times as much if using the fresh version.

Were no longer associating chicken noodle soup with gloomy, sick days. If youve been searching high and low for the missing ingredient in your homemade chicken noodle soup, a squeeze of citrus may be the final piece of the puzzle. Lemon can bring brightness to your dish to compliment the rest of the otherwise saltier flavors. The acidity of the lemon can cut through those other savory flavors, and bring a little bit of balance to your soup.

You might be thinking that something as strong as citrus might add too much of a punch to a soup that isnt known to have the most intense flavors, but we are here to advise on exactly how much, and when, you should be adding lemon juice to your chicken soup. Of course, there are some dos and donts when it comes to lemon in soup. Recipes incorporate anywhere from 1 to 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, at the discretion of the cook. However, if one thing is for certain, its that lemon juice should always be added at the very end of the cooking process to avoid turning the lemon juice bitter. Give this tip a try and watch your chicken noodle soup come to life.

Be creative with your vegetables

While many of us associate chicken noodle soup with a classic combo of celery, carrots, and onions, whos to say that you cant use other vegetables to boost the flavor of your soup? The beauty of chicken noodle soup is its neutrality, which creates plenty of opportunities for new flavor combinations.

Seasoning is not the only way you can change the flavor of your dish, so lets explore some other creative options. You might consider using more umami-forward vegetables, such as mushrooms, that also pair well with chicken to tie together the richer flavors in the dish. Alternatively, vegetables like corn, peas, and tomatoes will bring out some sweeter notes to the soup. If you want to go the more herbaceous route, asparagus or green peppers will add both a vibrant color and a very different depth of flavor to the soup that youll appreciate.

Now, this next tip requires some flexibility, but hear us out — consider inspiring new flavors in your chicken noodle soup by substituting basic pasta with other noodle options. As mentioned above, substituting a rice noodle to achieve a more Asian-inspired dish is one option for changing up your chicken noodle soup. In line with Asian flavors, you can use ramen noodles as another alternative. Some store-bought ramen noodles even come with flavor packs, which could be used to flavor your soup in a unique way to create a chicken ramen soup. If you want to add a more earthy taste to your soup, use soba noodles to balance out the saltier, richer nature of chicken noodle soup.

For the grand finale, try using a noodle alternative that isnt a noodle at all. Matzo ball soup-inspired chicken noodle soup is the ultimate fusion of comfort foods, with the matzo balls present to soak up every ounce of flavor in your broth. You could even make your own matzo balls for an added homemade element.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

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