Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that evokes memories of home and childhood. And when you’re feeling under the weather, few things can compare to a steaming bowl of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. But did you know you can easily make this beloved canned soup into a homemade meal right on your stovetop?
With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can transform Campbell’s into a warm, nourishing soup using your stove. Read on for our complete guide to making chicken noodle soup the old-fashioned way.
Getting Started: Equipment and Ingredients
Making Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup on the stove is simple, but you’ll need a few key items:
- One can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup (10.75 oz)
- Water or chicken broth
- A medium saucepan with a lid
- A spoon or ladle for stirring
That’s all you need for the basic recipe. But if you want to customize and enhance the flavor consider adding any of the following
- Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives
- Lemon juice or hot sauce
- Diced cooked chicken or turkey
- Diced vegetables like celery, carrots, or onion
Now that your ingredients are ready, let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Empty the Can into a Saucepan
Start by pouring the entire can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup into a medium saucepan Make sure you empty all of the liquid and noodles into the pan.
Step 2: Add Water or Broth
Next, add water or chicken broth. The soup can be thinned and stretched with water, or you can use broth for a richer flavor. Here are a few options:
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One can of water (using the empty soup can as a measuring cup). This maintains the classic flavor.
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Two cans of water. This makes the soup go farther and creates a thinner consistency.
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One can of chicken broth. For a more robust chicken flavor. Use low-sodium if you want to reduce the saltiness
Step 3: Heat and Stir
Now comes the fun part! Place the pan on the stove over medium heat. As it heats up, stir the soup frequently with a spoon or ladle. This helps prevent scorching on the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Bring it to a Simmer
Keep heating and stirring until the soup comes up to a gentle simmer. You’ll see small bubbles breaking the surface. Lower the heat if it starts bubbling too vigorously. The soup should not boil, as this can make the noodles mushy.
Step 5: Simmer and Stir Occasionally
Once simmering, let the soup continue simmering for 5-10 minutes, while stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to blend and the noodles to cook through.
Step 6: Add any Extra Ingredients
If you want to customize your Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, now is the time! Stir in any additional ingredients like cooked chicken, vegetables, or fresh herbs. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more to let the flavors meld.
Step 7: Adjust Seasoning and Serve
Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning if desired. You may wish to add more salt, pepper, herbs, or a squeeze of lemon. Finally, ladle the steaming soup into bowls and enjoy this homemade comfort food!
Tips for Customizing Your Stovetop Soup
The basic stovetop method makes classic Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. But you can also tweak it to your preferences:
- Use chicken broth instead of water for more flavor
- Add milk or cream for a creamy, chowder-like texture
- Stir in sour cream or yogurt at the end for tang
- Toss in extra veggies like diced carrots, celery, onion, peas, or corn
- Sprinkle with parsley, dill, rosemary, or other herbs
- Stir in cooked rice or small pasta for variety
- Swap out the noodles for cubes of cooked potato
- Add hot sauce, lemon juice, or vinegar for some zing
- Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or turkey for extra protein
So get creative and make this cherished soup your own! The possibilities are endless.
FAQs About Making Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup on the Stove
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making Campbell’s soup on the stovetop:
Can I use milk instead of water?
Milk can curdle or separate when heated in acidic soups. Water is the best choice for a smooth consistency. If you want creaminess, add milk at the very end after turning off the heat.
What if I accidentally let it boil?
Reduce heat immediately to stop the boiling. The noodles may get too soft, but the soup is still usable! Just avoid vigorous stirring which can further break down the noodles.
How long does homemade Campbell’s soup last in the fridge?
It will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Can I prepare Campbell’s soup in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes! Combine ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 4-6 hours in a slow cooker. For Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 5 minutes then quick release.
Why is my soup too salty?
The canned soup is high in sodium, so adding water or milk can help dilute it. Also try adding diced potato – it will absorb some of the saltiness.
What are some substitutions for the noodles?
Try diced potatoes, cooked rice, small pasta, orzo, alphabet noodles, pearled barley, or soft bread cubes instead of the standard noodles.
How can I adjust the thickness?
For a thinner soup, add more water or broth. For a thicker, heartier soup, mix in some milk or cream. You can also thicken it by blending in a little flour after cooking.
Enjoy Your Homemade Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup!
Now you’re all set to make your own stove-simmered version of this comforting classic. Simple, inexpensive, and wonderfully satisfying. Stay cozy with this homemade soup on chilly days or when you’re feeling under the weather. It also makes a great quick meal any day of the week thanks to the shortcut of starting with a trusty can of Campbell’s.
Chicken Noodle Soup Herbs
Don’t go too crazy with the Herbs. Just a dominant Herb like Savory for Savory Chicken Noodle Soup or Rosemary for Rosemary Chicken Noodle Soup, Tarragon for Tarragon Chicken Noodle Soup or Poultry Seasoning.
Limit it to about 1/2 tsp in order to preserve the yellow color of what a Chicken Soup should be. Just a light speckling of Herbs is all that is needed.
Add Cornstarch or Potato Starch to thicken the soup slightly and give it some viscosity. You can add more for a thicker Soup or less for a thinner soup.
Cream of Tartar does a nice job at lifting the flavors. Plus it some extra much needed potassium.
Make it without the cream of Tartar and once the soup is done, taste it. Then add the cream of tartar and taste it again. See which you prefer.
Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup
Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup is 284 mI with a serving size of 1/2 C for about 2 servings. The Noodles are 1/8 inch thick and 2 inches long. The estimated amount of chicken is about 28 g or 1 ounce.
The instructions state to add 1 can of water to the Chicken Noodle Soup and heat. I always added 1/2 a can or a bit less to get stronger flavors, and find one can is a serving.