What's better than a big steamy bowl of Panera Chicken Noodle Soup? One that tastes just like your favorite takeout and comes together in about 30 minutes! This cozy bowl is filled with tender chicken, hearty noodles, and classic veggies all swimming in a flavorful golden broth that warms you right up.
When you've got a craving for comfort, skip the line-this soup is so easy you'll be ladling it up before your favorite show's opening credits end.
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Why you'll love this recipe
This recipe is a lifesaver when you need something hearty but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. It's the kind of simple, satisfying meal that tastes homemade without requiring much effort.
Using cooked chicken keeps things easy, the noodles soak up all that delicious broth, and the veggies add just enough freshness to make every spoonful feel wholesome. It's quick comfort food at its finest!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, refer to the recipe card below.
Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Stock Pot
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 cup mushrooms diced
- 1-2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 1-2 stalks celery diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken diced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup egg noodle pasta or other small pasta of choice
- 1 bay leaf
- ¾ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ lemon optional
- 1 tablespoon parsley minced, optional
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Dice the vegetables - onions, mushrooms, carrots, celery and mince the garlic.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat on the stove, add the butter & olive oil. When the oil is hot & bubbly, add the onion, mushrooms, carrots and celery to the stock pot.
- Add the bay leaf, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Stir and saute. Add the garlic and chicken stock. Increase to high heat and bring to a boil.
- When the pot is boiling, add the pasta - cook according to package directions (in my case using the angel hair pasta, it was about 6 minutes). Add the diced chicken the last 1 minute of cooking. It will only need to warm thru.
- Remove from heat when the timer is up for the pasta. Stir in the frozen peas. Add fresh lemon juice and minced parsley. Stir again & serve.
Notes
- Bay Leaf - it blends and marries the flavors!
- Italian Seasoning - tons of flavor in just a teaspoon.
- Red Pepper Flakes - adds just a touch of heat
- Finishing your soup with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a bit of minced parslley or cilantro.
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Nutrition
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the chicken noodle soup. For the complete directions check the recipe card.
FAQ's
That's easy, there are several tricks up my sleeve! Add a splash of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or a dash of poultry seasoning. It will deepen the flavor and give it that slow-simmered flavor.
Pre-cook the noodles and spoon them into the soup bowl before adding the soup! Then ladle hot soup over them when serving to keep them from turning to mush.
Yes, thickening the soup is easy. Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in while the soup's simmering. or add a scoop of instant mashed potato flakes for a cozy, thickened texture.
Deb's tips for the best soup
If you've got time, simmer the store-bought broth with a few chicken bones or leftover rotisserie skin for 15 minutes. It gives that rich, homemade flavor without making stock from scratch.
Add salt in stages-once with the veggies, again when you pour in the broth, and a final taste check at the end. This builds depth instead of a one-note salty flavor.
And my favorite soup tip… right before serving, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice with minced parsley. It brightens the flavors of the soup, making it a drool-worthy meal!
More great soup recipes
If you're like me and cozy soups are your happy place, you'll definitely want to check out a few more reader favorites. My Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup has a bright, fresh flavor that feels like sunshine in a bowl, while the Panera Butternut Squash Soup is creamy, slightly sweet, and pure comfort on a spoon. And if you're craving something extra hearty, my Chicken and Dumplings Soup brings that old-fashioned, from-scratch taste without all the fuss.
For even more inspiration, head over to my Tried-and-True Soup Lineup collection-it's packed with easy, flavorful soups for every mood and season. From rich chowders to quick weeknight broths, it's the ultimate lineup to keep your soup pot busy (and your belly happy) all year long.
Serve with
Soup night deserves a little something on the side, don't you think? Warm up a batch of dinner rolls made from frozen bread dough. They're soft, golden, and practically beg to be dunked into that cozy broth. Or go big with Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks for a gooey, garlicky bite that makes every spoonful of soup even better.
And since soup and sandwiches are a classic combo, serve it alongside a hot ham and cheese sandwich - melty, toasty, and totally satisfying. That's comfort food teamwork at its finest!
Wrapping it up
There's just something special about a homemade bowl of chicken noodle soup-it's simple, cozy, and always hits the spot. Whether you're chasing away a chill, feeding a hungry family, or just craving something warm and comforting, this recipe delivers every time.
It's quick enough for weeknights but tastes like it simmered all afternoon. Give it a try and let me know what you think-I love hearing how my recipes find their way to your table!
Nikki says
What a delicious bowl of comfort! This is one my son requests time and time again. We all love it!
Jules says
I love chicken soup and all of the tips that you share to make it!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Jules!!
Jennifer Ann Stewart says
Soup is such an easy yet complex meal. I could eat soup for every meal of the day and I love your chicken noodle soup!! It has healed so many colds in my house:)
Liza says
Loving this soup! Everyone in my family loves the Chicken Noodle! But this recipe will bring it to a whole new level!
Justine says
Perfect comfort food!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes!!! This ones covers all the bases for comfort food! 😀
Kaitie says
I'm actually going to make this tomorrow! Its supposed to be a rainy day and this is just what myself and the kids need for lunch!!
Bowl Me Over says
What did you think Kaitie? I love a great bowl of soup, I hope you really enjoyed your meal!!
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
I think I'm also guilty of not having a chicken noodle soup recipe on my blog, oops! I love how fast this recipe is! This would be absolutely ideal for when you have a cold and need it stat with little effort. Sounds awesome anytime though!
I do have a turkey noodle soup on my blog, does that count? ...
Bowl Me Over says
Turkey Noodle definitely counts Julie and I bet it is just delicious! 😀
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Nothing beats a good chicken noodle soup and the addition of rotisserie chicken bumps this up several notches, yum!
Bowl Me Over says
It's a good way to sneak in some extra flavor huh Kimberly? Love those little shortcuts!
Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary says
Oh my... pass me a bowl please.... chicken boodle soup is one of my comfort meal Debra. Such a nice recipe to try!
Bowl Me Over says
One bowl of soup coming up Citra! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This will just give you all the good healing comfort! Delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, yes - good comfort food!!
Patty Haxton Anderson says
I love how you got deep color in the broth in such a short time - I am guessing you got some great caramelization going on with the mushrooms. It looks so delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, all the color = flavor, gotta love that, thanks Patty!!
Manju | Cooking Curries says
That looks super delicious for a 20 minute meal. The boys here would love it!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Manju - gotta love an easy meal!!
Sandra says
Love a good chicken noodle soup, especially when it comes together in no time. Great soup!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Sandra!
Healing Tomato says
Chicken soup is good for the soul! Your chicken soup recipe is good for the whole body and the soul! This recipe looks so creative and the photos are amazing.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you, thank you!! You know me, I love a good bowl of soup - so yummy!!
linda spiker says
I always appreciate a quick meal! This one looks lovely!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Linda!!
Lois says
This is just a wonderful soup. Love it. Have made it several times.
Bowl Me Over says
Definitely a family favorite, I'm so glad you enjoy it!