Zesty Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe: A Cozy Cure-All
Comfort meets zesty brilliance in this heartwarming lemon ginger chicken noodle soup that promises to soothe your soul and tantalize your taste buds.
Fragrant ginger and bright citrus dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that elevate a classic soup to new heights.
Fresh herbs and tender chicken nestle among silky noodles, delivering warmth with every spoonful.
The delicate balance of spices and citrus makes this soup a standout dish for chilly evenings or when you need a gentle nutritional boost.
Packed with immune-supporting ingredients, this recipe transforms a simple meal into a nurturing experience.
Each ingredient is carefully selected to provide maximum flavor and comfort.
Dive into this delicious bowl of goodness and let the healing magic of this soup embrace you.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 200 kcal
Servings: 7
What’s in Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup
For Base Vegetables:
Onion: Adds a sweet, aromatic foundation that enhances the soup's depth and provides a classic flavor profile..
Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant color while contributing essential nutrients to the soup..
Celery: Delivers a subtle, fresh crispness and earthy undertone that balances the other ingredients..
For Aromatic Herbs and Spices:
Garlic: Provides a robust, pungent flavor that creates a strong flavor base for the soup..
Ginger: Adds a warm, zesty kick and helps boost the immune-supporting properties of the soup..
Lemongrass: Introduces a bright, citrusy note that lightens the overall soup profile..
Thyme: Offers an earthy, slightly minty flavor that complements the chicken perfectly..
Rosemary: Brings a pine-like, aromatic essence that adds complexity to the dish..
Bay Leaves: Imparts a subtle, sophisticated background flavor during simmering..
For Protein and Liquid Components:
Chicken Thighs: Delivers rich, tender meat with deeper flavor compared to chicken breast..
Chicken Stock: Creates a robust, flavorful liquid base that forms the soup's foundation..
Ditalini Pasta: Provides a delightful texture and hearty element to transform the soup into a complete meal..
Lemon Juice: Brightens the entire dish with a fresh, tangy finish..
Chives: Offers a mild onion-like garnish that adds a pop of color and fresh flavor..
Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and create a smooth cooking base..
Salt and Pepper: Enhances and bal.
Equipment for Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup
Large Stockpot or Dutch Oven: Essential for creating and simmering the soup base with deep, even heat distribution.
Cutting Board: Perfect for chopping vegetables, herbs, and preparing ingredients with precision.
Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for dicing onions, carrots, and mincing herbs quickly and safely.
Grater: Handy for grating fresh ginger and zesting lemon for bright, intense flavors.
Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurately adding herbs, spices, and seasonings.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
Tongs or Slotted Spoon: Useful for removing and shredding chicken from the broth.
Ladle: Helps serve the soup smoothly and elegantly into bowls.
Steps to Cook Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup
Aromatic Vegetable Base Warm olive oil in a large pot and gently sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their sweet flavors, creating a foundation for the soup.
Flavor Explosion Introduce minced garlic, zesty ginger, fragrant lemongrass, and delicate herbs, stirring them together to awaken their intense aromatics and create a complex flavor profile.
Liquid Gold and Chicken Immersion Pour in rich chicken stock, add whole chicken pieces, and let them simmer gently, allowing the meat to become tender and infuse the broth with deep, comforting flavors.
Chicken and Pasta Dance Remove the chicken, shred it lovingly, then return it to the pot. Add small pasta and let everything mingle and cook until the noodles reach perfect tenderness.
Bright Finish Brighten the soup with a splash of fresh lemon juice, balance the seasonings with salt and pepper, and sprinkle chopped chives on top for a fresh, vibrant touch that brings the entire dish to life.
Flavor Twists for Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup
Flavor Boosters: Add a dash of white wine while sautéing vegetables for deeper, richer undertones.
Spice It Up: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a small chopped jalapeño for a warming kick that complements the ginger.
Protein Power: Swap chicken thighs with rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted turkey for a quick weeknight variation.
Texture Twist: Replace ditalini pasta with rice noodles or orzo for a different mouthfeel and international flair.
Herb Garden Magic: Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro to brighten the soup's overall flavor profile and add a fresh, green note.
How to Serve Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup
Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this soul-warming soup in deep ceramic bowls that showcase its vibrant colors and enticing aroma, perfect for chilly evenings or when feeling under the weather.
Zesty Garnish Extravaganza: Sprinkle extra fresh chives, a pinch of lemon zest, or a few thin ginger matchsticks on top to elevate the soup's visual appeal and add a burst of fresh flavor.
Bread Pairing Perfection: Accompany the soup with crusty sourdough bread, toasted whole grain baguette slices, or homemade garlic crostini to soak up the delicious broth and add a delightful textural contrast.
Wellness Wellness Boost: Enhance the soup's nutritional profile by adding a handful of baby spinach leaves or chopped kale just before serving, introducing extra vitamins and a vibrant green color to your meal.
Keeping Lemon Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Fresh
Smart Batch Preparation: Make a double recipe and portion the soup into individual containers for quick weekday lunches. This strategy saves time and ensures delicious meals are always ready.
Refrigerator Shelf Life: Store the soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Keep the noodles separate from the broth to prevent them from becoming mushy and losing their perfect texture.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze the soup base and chicken without noodles for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw, reheat, and add fresh pasta to maintain optimal taste and consistency.
Flavor Enhancement Tip: Let the soup rest overnight in the refrigerator to allow the herbs, lemon, and ginger to develop deeper, more complex flavors. The additional resting time intensifies the delicious taste profile.
Hearty lemon ginger chicken noodle soup delivers comfort and zesty healing in one pot. Spices, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs combine for a nourishing meal that welcomes you to savor each warming spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
5 cups (1.2 L) chicken stock
3 tbsps (45 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) freshly grated ginger
1 tbsp (15 mL) minced lemongrass
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
0.75 cup (177 mL) ditalini pasta
2 tbsps (30 mL) chopped fresh chives
kosher salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Sauté Foundation: In a large stockpot, warm olive oil and gently cook onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent, creating a flavor-rich base for the soup.
Aromatic Infusion: Incorporate minced garlic, grated ginger, lemongrass, thyme, and rosemary, stirring to release their vibrant essences and create a fragrant foundation.
Poaching Chicken: Add chicken stock and whole chicken thighs, bringing the mixture to a boil before reducing to a gentle simmer. Allow the chicken to cook thoroughly and impart deep, savory flavors into the broth.
Protein Preparation: Remove chicken thighs, shred the meat using two forks, and return the tender pieces back to the simmering pot, distributing evenly throughout the liquid.
Pasta and Finishing Touches: Add ditalini pasta and cook until al dente. Remove bay leaves, squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup, and season with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste.
Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle chopped chives over the soup, creating a bright, fresh finish. Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls, ready to warm and delight.
Notes
Flavor Infusion Technique: Sauté aromatics like ginger, garlic, and herbs low and slow to release maximum depth and complexity of flavors without burning.
Chicken Poaching Tip: Keep the chicken thighs whole while simmering to preserve moisture and prevent tough, dry meat; shred after cooking for tender results.
Pasta Timing Strategy: Add pasta near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture; ditalini absorbs broth quickly, so monitor closely.
Brightness Balancer: Fresh lemon juice added at the final stage lifts the entire soup’s profile, cutting through richness and providing a vibrant, fresh finish.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.