Canned chicken noodle soup is great when you need a quick meal that's filling and nutritious. However, it's still a far cry from the homemade variety. Although the broth is tasty, the chicken itself can be meager, leaving you with more noodles and liquid than chunks of meat. Plus, the small cubes of chicken that you'll usually find in these canned soups are often lacking in flavor and have a drier texture than chicken you'd cook on your own.
Just because this is the case, however, doesn't mean you have to settle and confine yourself to what comes in the can. Instead, why not elevate your chicken soup by stirring in some of your own cooked chicken? Doing so can give your soup an extra kick of protein, making every spoonful heartier. Plus, unlike the chicken that comes in store-bought soup, freshly cooked chicken has a juicier bite and stronger flavor. The result is a soup that tastes just a little more homemade, even though it still came from a can.
The first thing to think about as you stir your extra protein into your canned soup is exactly what kind of chicken you'll use. You can cook up some chicken breast, or this could be a good time to use up the rest of a rotisserie chicken sitting in your fridge. In fact, the broth can reheat chicken without drying it out, making this a great way to keep your leftovers moist and tasty — and enjoy fresh flavor without the hassle of cooking.
Whichever you pick, one thing to note is that it's best not to use breaded chicken. The breading can start to disintegrate in the soup, leaving you with mushy chunks throughout. Similarly, if you use chicken that has the skin on, you may want to take this off before adding the protein to the soup — otherwise the pieces could get soggy and lend an oily consistency to the broth.
Additionally, don't forget that you'll need to cut, chop, or shred the chicken you choose. The goal is to create bite-sized chunks that are easy to scoop up alongside the noodles and veggies in your meal, so you get a balanced spoonful.
Other Ways To Give Canned Soup A Homemade Taste
Adding cooked chicken to your soup isn't the only way to bulk it up and improve the flavor. You can also try stirring in some other additions. A similar option is to mix in some extra vegetables. Remember, heating up canned soup means you don't cook the broth as long as you would if you were making it from scratch. So, you'll want your veggies to already be cooked to ensure they don't wind up crunchy and raw in your bowl. This is a great way to use up your leftovers, such as steamed broccoli or grilled carrots.
Besides adding vegetables to your soup, another option is to play around with stirring in herbs and spices. If you love food with some zing to it, drizzling in some hot sauce can be a great way to bring on the heat and give your soup an extra edge. Or, mix in some parsley, dill, or other fresh herbs to lend different tasting notes to your meal. With these tips, you should have no problem making canned soup that's packed with homemade flavor — all without having to go through the extra effort of actually making your meal from scratch.
Besides adding vegetables to your soup, another option is to play around with stirring in herbs and spices. If you love food with some zing to it, drizzling in some hot sauce can be a great way to bring on the heat and give your soup an extra edge.
Besides adding vegetables to your soup, another option is to play around with stirring in herbs and spices. If you love food with some zing to it, drizzling in some hot sauce can be a great way to bring on the heat and give your soup an extra edge.
Fresh lemon juice: this is best to add at the end of cooking, otherwise the lemon flavor can become bitter. Cooking Vinegars: such as balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar. Hot sauce: helps to add both acid and heat, so you're getting even more bang for your buck.
Add noodles or rice, veggies (carrots, celery, onion, spinach, kale, garlic, broccoli, etc), chicken chunks or pulled chicken, and throw a cinnamon stick in there. Maybe some lemon juice and fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary, etc) and you've got a super flavorful soup with a little hint of spice.
Add More Veggies: Swirl in fresh spinach or kale at the end of cooking for more of a vegetable-heavy soup. Substitute the Noodles: Try potatoes, winter squash, rice, quinoa, or grains. Add hearty veggies (like potatoes) to the pot along with the onions and carrots.
Woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, tarragon, and marjoram release tons of flavor as they slowly simmer in stock. Give them a rinse and toss in a big handful of sprigs per quart of store-bought stock.
Herbs: Fresh chives, thyme, or cilantro stirred in just before serving. Spices: Your soup is probably salty enough, but what about simmering a bay leaf in there for a while (don't forget to remove it before serving)? Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes.
Pesto, hot sauce, lemon juice—the list goes on. Any of these will enhance the flavor profile and give your can of Campbell's the boost it needs to go from good to great.
There are several ingredients you can add to chicken noodle soup to enhance its flavor. Some popular options include fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, spices like garlic powder or paprika, and savory ingredients like diced tomatoes or mushrooms.
It can take a cacophony of flavors and sync them into perfect harmony. It both balances and awakens them. Plus, if you accidentally add too much salt to your soup, a little vinegar will tame the saltiness.
Got a soup that tastes a little bland and unexciting? Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt.
Toss a couple of dried bay leaves in your broth to give your soup a sweet earthy aroma.Or sprinkle in some rosemary and thyme. Both pair well with chicken dishes and are excellent additions to chicken noodle soup. Together they will make your soup taste homemade, and you will forget it came in a box.
If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.
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