Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations. The simple combination of chicken, vegetables and noodles in a savory broth is soothing and satisfying. However, this soup can sometimes seem a bit bland. If you love heat and flavor, try my tips for transforming your chicken noodle soup into a spicy sensation!
Why Make Chicken Noodle Soup Spicy?
Adding a kick of spice to chicken noodle soup livens up the flavor and makes it more interesting. Spices like chili powder cayenne and red pepper flakes pack a punch of heat that enhances the other ingredients. The spiciness helps clear your sinuses too, making spicy chicken noodle soup ideal for chasing away cold symptoms.
Spicy chicken noodle soup is also more robust and exciting than the plain version, It has layers of flavor that keep you going back for more The heat makes you fully taste and appreciate the aromas and seasonings
You can spice up canned or homemade chicken noodle soup recipes. Customize it to suit your preferred level of heat and complexity. Read on for tips and ingredient ideas for creating your own spicy chicken noodle soup!
How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup Spicy
Making a spicy chicken noodle soup is easy. You have a few different options for infusing heat:
Add Chili Peppers
Fresh or dried chili peppers are a simple way to spice up chicken noodle soup. Try:
- Diced fresh jalapeños or serranos
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Cayenne pepper powder
- Dried chilies like ancho, chipotle or arbol
Add the peppers, flakes or powders directly to the broth. Start with small amounts, taste and add more heat if desired. The longer the chili peppers cook, the more their flavor infuses into the soup.
Use Spicy Paste or Sauce
Spicy pastes and hot sauces add concentrated heat and unique flavor. Whisk them into the broth or drizzle over individual servings. Options include:
- Harissa paste – North African spice blend with chili peppers
- Gochujang paste – Korean fermented chili paste
- Sambal oelek – Indonesian chili garlic sauce
- Sriracha, Tabasco or other hot sauces
Cook With Spices
Warming spices like cumin, paprika and coriander complement the chili heat. Sauté the spices in oil before adding broth and vegetables. Spice blends like chili powder, garam masala or Cajun seasoning also add instant sizzle.
Simmer Chili Peppers in Broth
For maximum spicy impact, simmer fresh or dried chilies in the broth. Remove before serving for milder results. Ancho, chipotle and guajillo chilies work well. You can also steep spices like a tea in the hot broth.
Garnish with Spicy Toppings
Finish individual servings with spicy garnishes. Try chopped onions, cilantro, lime wedges or diced avocado. Drizzle with hot sauce, chili oil or creamy sriracha sauce. Top with crispy jalapeño strips, crushed red pepper flakes or chili powder.
Complementary Ingredients for Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
Certain ingredients pair deliciously with the chili heat. They balance and round out the spicy edge.
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Cilantro – Fresh chopped cilantro adds a cooling contrast. Other fresh herbs like parsley, mint and basil also offset spiciness.
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Lime or Lemon – A squeeze of citrus juice brightens the broth. Add zest for extra flavor.
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Yogurt or Sour Cream – Cooling dollops tame the heat and add richness.
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Cheese – Melted cheese like cheddar, jack or queso fresco is a creamy topping.
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Avocado – Diced or mashed avocado cools the palate.
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Onion – Diced raw white or red onion provides pungent crunch.
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Tortilla Strips – Crispy fried tortilla strips supply a subtle corn flavor.
Tips for Making Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
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Control the heat level by adding small amounts of spices at a time. You can keep adjusting until your desired spiciness is reached.
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If the soup becomes too spicy, balance it out by adding more chicken broth or cream. Starchy noodles also help absorb heat.
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For mild soup with spicy accents, add most of the heat at the end. Garnish individual portions with spices.
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Toast dried spices and chilies briefly to enhance their flavor before adding to soup.
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Refrigerate leftover soup to allow flavors to continue developing. Adjust seasonings when reheating.
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For convenience, use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken and pre-cut vegetables like baby carrots.
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Pair with crushed crackers, buttered bread or biscuits to complement the broth.
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Grate fresh ginger or garlic into the soup for extra zing. They boost chili pepper flavors.
My Favorite Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
I love making big batches of this addictive spicy chicken noodle soup to keep on hand for busy weeks. It freezes well too. The ingredients can be adapted based on what you have available. Feel free to tweak and customize to your taste!
Ingredients:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 ribs celery, sliced
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-3 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
- Chopped cilantro, avocado, tortilla strips, hot sauce and sour cream for serving
Instructions:
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Place chicken in broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
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Remove chicken and shred or dice when cool enough to handle. Return to pot.
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Add onion, carrots and celery. Simmer 5 minutes.
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Stir in noodles, garlic, chili powder and cumin. Cook about 5 more minutes until noodles are tender.
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Remove from heat and add lime juice. Season with cayenne pepper to desired spiciness.
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Serve hot garnished with cilantro, avocado, tortilla strips, hot sauce and sour cream if desired. Enjoy!
The possibilities are endless when crafting your own perfect spicy chicken noodle soup. Adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. Savor the warming, comforting and sinus-clearing magic in each spicy, flavorful spoonful!
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I shred the rotisserie chicken as soon as I get home while it is warm. Toss the skin, juices, and carcass to simmer while prepping other ingredients. Usually crack big bones with a mallet and add tsp vinegar. Strain broth and decide what kind of soup today. Add appropriate vegetables and spices, Asian, Italian, Mexican. Shred breasts , add back when vegetables tender. Save dark meat for quesadillas and sandwiches. The 2 of us get at least 4 meals from a chicken $$$
Trader Joes has the best Organic Chicken broth that you can find. Not clear, watery, or salty. It is excellent.
Took the chicken carcass, along with chopped carrots, celery and onion, along with two cartons of Walmart no salt broth and let it simmer for an hour. No fuss, but a serious upgrade in the flavor.
All in all a good quick recipe. I had to make a dinner for 10 in 1.5 hours and it served well! I will say, not cooking from scratch leaves the broth a bit flat. I threw in a teaspoon of MSG – perfect!
In the future I’d add in the celery and carrots to sauce with the onions! They’re a bit harder than I like following the recipe
Superb! And super easy! So flavorful and satisfying. This is the perfect dish when you want a comforting simple food hug.Private comments are only visible to you.
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20 minute chicken noodle soup
FAQ
How do you spice up chicken noodle soup?
I like to add rosemary, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and sometimes sage. Dill and maybe some lemon juice or zest can be nice, too. It’s not a seasoning but I also like to add kale to my chicken soup. I like the little bit of bitterness and it’s a good way to add some greens to my diet.
How to make chicken noodles spicy?
Add cooked noodles and chicken to pan and stir to combine. Then, add soy sauce, honey and chilli oil and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning, then you’re ready to serve. Garnish with red chilli, spring onions and peanuts.
How to make your soup more spicy?
You can add dried red pepper flakes for heat. Also Tabasco sauce or diced Jalapenos. Regular chili powder doesn’t have much heat or spice.Jun 19, 2023
How to make chicken soup more spicy?
You’ll add it right at the end! Sriracha hot sauce: Sriracha goes perfectly with the other flavors of this soup, like garlic and ginger. You can also use regular hot sauce, cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for heat.