Cozy Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Sick Days

Zesty lemon ginger chicken noodle soup promises a comforting culinary adventure that warms both body and soul.

Bright citrus notes dance alongside spicy ginger undertones, creating a vibrant flavor profile.

Your taste buds will tingle with anticipation of this nourishing bowl.

Aromatic herbs and tender chicken merge into a delightful symphony of textures and tastes.

Hearty noodles provide satisfying substance while healing ingredients work their magic.

Rich broth infused with complex seasonings delivers an incredible depth of flavor.

Imagine curling up with this soul-soothing recipe that feels like a warm embrace.

You deserve a meal that nurtures and delights with every single spoonful.

Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup: Why It’s So Comforting

• Packed with zesty lemon, spicy ginger, and healing herbs, this soup delivers a powerhouse of natural ingredients that support your body's defense system and taste buds simultaneously.
• Requiring just 30-40 minutes from start to finish, this one-pot wonder offers hassle-free cooking that's perfect for busy weeknights or when you need instant warmth and nourishment.
• Easily adaptable for different dietary needs, the recipe allows flexible protein swaps, vegetable additions, and seasoning adjustments while maintaining its delicious core profile of bright, healing flavors.
• Combining tender shredded chicken, soft ditalini pasta, and crisp vegetables creates a delightful mouthfeel that makes every spoonful an exciting culinary experience with balanced, satisfying textures.

Ingredients for Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth base for sautéing vegetables and creating rich flavor.
• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that build depth in soup foundation.

• Garlic, Ginger, Lemongrass: Bright, zesty ingredients that add complex and warming flavor profile.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Woodsy herbs that complement chicken and provide earthy undertones.
• Bay Leaves: Adds subtle herbal notes and depth to the broth.

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that provides richness and protein to the soup.
• Chicken Stock: Foundational liquid that creates the soup's flavor base.
• Ditalini Pasta: Small pasta that adds texture and substance to the soup.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, fresh acidity to balance the soup's richness.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Fresh Chives: Light, onion-like garnish for freshness and visual appeal.

How to Make Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onion
• Chopped carrots
• Sliced celery

Cook while stirring gently until vegetables soften and become translucent, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Build Flavor Layers

• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger
• Finely chopped lemongrass
• Chopped thyme leaves
• Crushed rosemary sprigs

Stir and cook for approximately 1 minute until the kitchen fills with an incredible aroma.

Step 3: Create Liquid Foundation

Pour chicken stock into the pot and add bay leaves. Gently place chicken thighs into the brewing liquid. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble softly for 20 minutes until chicken becomes perfectly tender.

Step 4: Transform Soup Texture

Remove chicken and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return shredded meat back to the pot. Add ditalini pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until pasta reaches ideal al dente consistency.

Step 5: Brighten and Finish

Discard bay leaves. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup. Season with salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh chives on top for a beautiful, garden-fresh finish. Serve piping hot and enjoy your soul-warming creation!

Pro Tips for This Zesty Noodle Soup

• Boost Flavor Depth: Gently toast dried herbs before adding to intensify their aromatic qualities and create a more robust taste profile.
• Prevent Pasta Mushiness: Cook the ditalini pasta separately and add to individual portions to maintain perfect al dente texture and prevent overcooking.
• Maximize Ginger Punch: Grate fresh ginger directly into the soup for a more vibrant and intense flavor compared to pre-minced or powdered versions.
• Enhance Chicken Tenderness: Let the chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes after cooking before shredding to lock in moisture and ensure juicy meat.
• Create Bright Finish: Add lemon juice at the very end of cooking to preserve its fresh, zesty notes and prevent the citrus from becoming bitter or dull.

Keeping Leftover Lemon Ginger Soup Fresh

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, keeping the soup's delicate flavors intact.
• Freeze: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring the chicken and noodles maintain their texture.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup seems too thick, restoring its original consistency and vibrant taste.

What to Serve with Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup

• Complement Zesty Soup with Crisp White Wine: Pair this bright, tangy lemon ginger chicken noodle soup with a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light, citrusy wines mirror the soup's vibrant flavor profile and cut through the richness of the chicken.
• Serve Alongside Crusty Artisan Bread: A warm, crusty sourdough or rustic ciabatta provides the perfect dipping companion. Its crispy exterior and soft interior soak up the fragrant broth, enhancing the soup's herbal and citrus notes.
• Add Fresh Herb Salad as Side Dish: Create a light mixed green salad with fresh dill, parsley, and a lemon vinaigrette. The herbaceous greens complement the soup's ginger and lemon undertones, offering a crisp and refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting soup.
• Finish with Ginger Sorbet: End the meal with a palate-cleansing ginger sorbet. Its clean, spicy-sweet flavor echoes the soup's ginger element, providing a cool and refreshing finale to the dining experience.

Recipe Variations for Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle

• Spicy Citrus Chicken Noodle Soup: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes during the vegetable sautéing stage, enhancing the lemon's zesty profile with a spicy undertone.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Noodle Soup: Replace thyme and rosemary with oregano and basil, and swap ditalini pasta for orzo, creating a Greek-inspired version with bright, herbaceous flavors.
• Coconut Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup: Introduce coconut milk alongside chicken stock for a creamy, tropical take, and garnish with fresh cilantro instead of chives to complement the coconut's richness.
• Asian-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup: Incorporate soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and swap ditalini for rice noodles, then top with sliced green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil for an authentic east Asian flair.

FAQs for Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup

• Can I use a different type of pasta for this soup?

Yes, you can substitute ditalini with other small pasta shapes like orzo, small shells, or even broken spaghetti noodles. Just adjust cooking time according to the pasta package instructions.

• How long can I store this lemon ginger chicken noodle soup?

Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When reheating, you might need to add a little extra broth since pasta tends to absorb liquid.

• Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?

Replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas, and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. The ginger and lemon flavors will still make it delicious and comforting.

• Can I freeze this soup?

It’s best to freeze the soup without the pasta. When you’re ready to eat, thaw and reheat the soup, then cook fresh pasta and add it just before serving to maintain the best texture.

Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting winter nights welcome homemade lemon ginger chicken noodle soup with zesty aromatics and healing broth. Hearty ingredients combine for a nourishing meal that warms you from the first spoonful to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon minced lemongrass

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Liquids and Pasta:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 0.75 cup ditalini pasta

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot, creating a sizzling base for the aromatic vegetables. Softly sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and tender, releasing their gentle flavors.
2. Introduce a vibrant layer of aromatics by adding minced garlic, grated ginger, delicate lemongrass, thyme, and rosemary. Allow these ingredients to dance and meld together, creating an intoxicating fragrance that fills the kitchen.
3. Pour chicken stock into the vegetable mixture, gently nestling whole chicken thighs into the liquid. Bring the concoction to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the chicken to poach and infuse the broth with rich, savory essence.
4. Carefully extract the chicken thighs from the simmering broth and shred the meat using two forks. Return the tender chicken pieces back to the pot, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
5. Introduce ditalini pasta into the simmering broth, cooking until the small pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture. The pasta will absorb the nuanced flavors of the soup while adding delightful texture.
6. Eliminate the bay leaves and brighten the entire dish with a burst of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Carefully season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting until the flavors are perfectly balanced.
7. Finish the soup by sprinkling chopped fresh chives across the surface, adding a final touch of color and subtle onion-like freshness. Serve piping hot, inviting diners to enjoy this comforting and aromatic meal.

Notes

• Boost your immune system with this comforting soup packed with ginger, lemon, and aromatic herbs that fight inflammation and support overall wellness.
• Customize the soup’s consistency by adjusting pasta amount or using different types like orzo or small shells for varied texture.
• Make-ahead friendly recipe that stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, with flavors developing more depth over time.
• Perfect one-pot meal combining protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates for a balanced and nutritious dinner solution.
• Quick cooking technique ensures tender vegetables and juicy chicken while maintaining maximum flavor infusion from herbs and aromatics.
• Save time by using rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken instead of poaching, reducing overall preparation time by 20-25 minutes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg