Chicken noodle soup is a beloved comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations. But many people wonder – just how many calories are actually in a bowl of this classic soup? The answer is, it depends.
The calorie count of chicken noodle soup can vary quite a bit based on the specific ingredients used and how it is prepared. In this article, we’ll break down the key factors that determine the calorie content of chicken noodle soup and provide tips for lightening it up without sacrificing flavor.
Understanding Calories in Chicken Noodle Soup
When looking at the calorie count of any food, it’s important to understand that calories are simply a measure of the energy content in that food Foods that are higher in fat, carbohydrates, and protein will naturally contain more calories than foods that are lower in those macronutrients
For chicken noodle soup, the ingredients that contribute the most calories are:
- Chicken – Provides protein and some fat depending on whether skin is included.
- Noodles – Primary source of carbohydrates.
- Broth – Can significantly increase calories if made with a cream or milk base.
- Added fats – Butter, oils, cream add more calories than broth alone.
- Vegetables – Relatively low in calories.
The cooking method and portion size also impact the calories per serving
Now let’s take a detailed look at how each of these components affects the overall calorie count of chicken noodle soup.
Chicken – The Leaner, the Fewer Calories
Chicken is the star ingredient and primary source of protein in chicken noodle soup. The first factor determining the calorie contribution of the chicken is what cut of chicken is used.
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Chicken breast, especially skinless and boneless, is the leanest option. A 3-ounce portion of skinless, cooked chicken breast contains only about 140 calories.
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Chicken thighs or legs with the skin on contain significantly more fat and calories. A 3-ounce serving of chicken thigh with skin has around 185 calories.
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Rotisserie chicken often has a bit more fat since some renders out during cooking. But removing the skin helps lower the calorie content.
The second factor is simply how much chicken is added to the soup. More chicken equals more protein and calories. A good rule of thumb is 3 ounces or less of chicken per serving to keep calories under control.
Noodles – Egg Noodles Pack More Calories
Noodles are a key component of chicken noodle soup, providing carbohydrate energy. But not all noodles are created equal when it comes to calories:
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Egg noodles contain more calories than regular pasta noodles. A 1-cup serving of cooked egg noodles has around 220 calories, while 1 cup of pasta noodles is closer to 200 calories.
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Going lighter on the noodles in general will help reduce the calorie count.
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Substituting zucchini noodles or other vegetable noodles drastically cuts the calories since they are mostly water and fiber.
As with chicken, portion control is also important for minimizing calories from noodles while still enjoying their deliciousness.
Broth – Stick to Low-Fat for Fewer Calories
Chicken broth forms the flavorful base of the soup. On its own, chicken broth is very low in calories with around 5-10 calories per cup. But the ingredients used to make the broth and thicken it into more of a soup base can really impact the calorie content.
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Regular chicken broth simmered with aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery has minimal impact on calories.
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Be cautious with cream-based broths as they can have 100 or more calories per cup.
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Adding milk, cream, or large amounts of oil to the broth also hikes up the calories substantially.
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Sticking to a low-sodium broth and limiting additions like cream or butter are best for keeping calories down.
Vegetables – Bulk It Up!
One of the best ways to add volume, nutrients and fiber to chicken noodle soup without piling on the calories is loading up on low-calorie vegetables. Some excellent options include:
- Carrots – About 30 calories per 1/2 cup cooked
- Celery – Around 15 calories per 1/2 cup cooked
- Onions – Approximately 40 calories per 1/2 cup cooked
- Spinach – Only about 20 calories per 1/2 cup cooked
- Mushrooms – Just 15 calories per 1/2 cup cooked
Packing the pot with a combination of vegetables boosts nutrition and fills you up with minimal calorie impact.
Added Fats – Where Excess Calories Can Sneak In
While the chicken, noodles, broth and vegetables make up the bulk of chicken noodle soup’s calories, added fats can sneak in extra calories.
- Butter – Often used to sauté aromatics like onions and celery, butter contains 100 calories per tablespoon.
- Oils – Whether used to sauté or drizzled at the end, oils like olive oil or canola oil have around 120 calories per tablespoon.
- Heavy cream – Just 2 tablespoons has over 100 calories.
To keep calories down, use cooking spray or broth instead of oil to sauté veggies. And go very light on added fats like butter and cream or avoid them altogether.
Estimating Calorie Counts
With so many potential ingredients, the easiest way to estimate the calories in homemade chicken noodle soup is to calculate the calories for the entire batch, then divide by the number of servings.
Here’s a rough guide to the calories per serving for common recipes:
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Chicken noodle soup made with skinless chicken breast, pasta noodles, chicken broth and lots of veggies has around 100-130 calories per 1 cup serving.
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Using egg noodles, creamier broth and/or rotisserie chicken can bring it up to 150-180 calories per serving.
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Adding more generous amounts of oil or butter, swapping in fatty cuts of chicken or using heavy cream may result in 200+ calories per serving.
Of course, commercial canned chicken noodle soups have standardized nutrition information. Many brands range from 70 to 140 calories per approximately 1-cup serving.
Tips for Lightening Up Chicken Noodle Soup
Here are some easy ways to keep your homemade chicken noodle soup lighter without compromising on flavor:
- Use skinless, boneless chicken breast and keep portions around 3 ounces per serving
- Opt for pasta noodles instead of egg noodles
- Make broth with just chicken and aromatics, avoiding cream or milk
- Bulk up on low-cal veggies like carrots, mushrooms and spinach
- Use cooking spray instead of oil for sautéing
- Go easy on added fats like butter or oils
- Ladle into bowls rather than eating straight from the pot to control portions
Chicken noodle soup can be an incredibly healthy, low-calorie dish when made with nutritious whole food ingredients. With smart ingredient choices and mindful cooking methods, you can feel good enjoying this comforting classic.
So go ahead and spoon up a bowl of hot, soul-warming chicken noodle soup – just keep these calorie-cutting tips in mind. Your waistline and tastebuds will thank you!
Product DescriptionMade with chicken broth, chicken, egg noodles, and savory vegetables, Progresso Traditional Chicken Noodle Soup has been warming tables and bellies for generations. Our chicken noodle soup contains no artificial flavors and no colors from artificial sources, with 100 calories per serving. Preparation is convenient and easy. Just heat in a saucepan on the stove top or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Stock up on Progresso Soups as a way to warm up from the inside out during cold and flu season. Whenever you’re feeling under the weather, add our canned soups to your shopping list of essentials such as tissues, cold or cough medicine, or cough drops. At Progresso, we’re passionate about making great products. We’ve been creating soups, including favorites like Tomato Soup, Clam Chowder, and Creamy Mushroom Soup, for more than 100 years. And today, Progresso still uses quality ingredients for a tasteful flavor found only in our line of canned soup products.
- CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP: Made in the traditional way with chicken, egg noodles, vegetables, and other tasty ingredients
- COLD AND FLU SEASON: Nothing hits the spot like a warm, comforting bowl of Progresso Soup; Stock up when grabbing seasonal items like tissues, cough drops, cough medicine for kids, and more
- QUALITY RECIPE: No artificial flavors and no colors from artificial sources; Also try favorites like Tomato Soup, Clam Chowder, and Creamy Mushroom Soup
- QUICK AND EASY: Simply pour soup into a saucepan and warm on the stovetop or add to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it
- CONTAINS: One 19 oz can of Progresso Traditional Chicken Noodle Soup; About two servings per can
IngredientsChicken Broth, Cooked White Chicken Meat, Carrots, Egg Noodles (semolina wheat, egg, egg white), Celery. Contains less than 2% of: Modified Food Starch, Water, Chicken Fat, Salt, Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Carrot Puree, Onion Powder, Sugar, Soy Protein Isolate, Tomato Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Garlic Powder, Parsley*, Natural Flavor, Chives*, Maltodextrin, Spice, Beta Carotene (color). *Dried
Nutrition Facts| Food component / Nutrient | Amount, As Packaged | % DVDaily Value*, As Packaged |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 2.5g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 4% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | —% Value not available |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 660mg | 29% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Total Sugars | 1g | —% Value not available |
| Incl. Added Sugars | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 7g | 10% |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium | 0mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 350mg | 8% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | ||
Ingredients, nutrition facts, and allergen statements can change. Always refer to the actual package for the most complete and accurate information.
How Many Calories In Chicken Noodle Soup? – Obesity Fighters Club
FAQ
How many calories are in an entire can of chicken noodle soup?
| Protein (g) | 7.93 |
|---|---|
| Energy (kcal) | 155.55 |
| Fiber, total dietary (g) | 1.83 |
| Calcium, Ca (mg) | 33.55 |
| Iron, Fe (mg) | 1.83 |
How many calories does a bowl of Chick-fil-A chicken noodle soup have?
One cup of Chick fil a chicken noodle soup bowl is around 236.7 grams and contains approximately 211.0 calories, 16.5 grams of protein, 5.5 grams of fat, and 22.9 grams of carbohydrates. Chick Fil A Chicken Noodle Soup Bowl is a warm, comforting classic that brings a taste of home.
Is chicken noodle soup good for a diet?
Chicken noodle soup offers a nutritious blend of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, many of which can support your immune system while you’re sick. While homemade soup is your best bet for limiting your sodium intake, experts say you can still choose a healthy store-bought version.
How many calories are in a single serving of chicken noodle soup?
1 serving of homemade chicken noodle soup contains 233 Calories The macronutrient breakdown is 31% carbs, 21% fat, and 48% protein.
How many calories are in 2 cups of chicken noodle soup (home recipe)?
There are 255 calories in 2 cups of Chicken Noodle Soup (Home Recipe). Calorie breakdown: 20% fat, 22% carbs, 58% protein. There are 255 calories in 2 cups of Chicken Noodle Soup (Home Recipe). Get full nutrition facts and other common serving sizes of Chicken Noodle Soup (Home Recipe) including 1 oz and 100 g.
Is chicken noodle soup low in calories?
Vegetable-based noodles, such as zucchini noodles or sweet potato noodles, are very low in calories and carbohydrates, making them a great choice for those looking to reduce their calorie intake. The broth is the foundation of chicken noodle soup, and its calorie content can vary significantly depending on whether it’s homemade or store-bought.
How many calories are in Campbell’s chicken noodle soup?
There are 120 calories in 1 container (435 g) of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Calorie breakdown: 26% fat, 58% carbs, 16% protein. There are 120 calories in 1 container (435 g) of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Get full nutrition facts for other Campbell’s products and all your other favorite brands.
How much chicken noodle soup should I eat?
Practicing portion control is essential for maintaining a balanced diet and managing your calorie intake. Use measuring cups to ensure you’re serving yourself a reasonable portion of chicken noodle soup. A typical serving size is around 1 cup (8 ounces). If you’re trying to lose weight, consider reducing your serving size to ½ cup.
How do you calculate the calorie count of chicken noodle soup?
Calculate calories per serving: Divide the total calorie count for the entire batch of soup by the number of servings to get the calorie count per serving. This process may seem tedious, but it provides the most accurate estimate of the calorie count of your homemade chicken noodle soup.
Is chicken noodle soup healthy?
While the calorie count is important, it’s also essential to consider the overall nutritional benefits of chicken noodle soup. This comforting dish can be a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and hydration. The chicken provides protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues.