Picture a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup, its comforting aroma wafting through your kitchen on a chilly day.
There’s something about its simplicity that wraps you in a cozy embrace, making it a beloved classic.
With just a few basic ingredients, this Panera-inspired recipe transforms into a soul-warming meal, as flavors meld and noodles soften to perfection.
Let’s bring this delightful dish to life and savor every spoonful together.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 Ladle
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing the Panera Chicken Noodle Soup, you can follow this timeline:
- Preparation Time (15 minutes):
- 0-5 minutes: Gather all ingredients and equipment. Begin by washing and drying the vegetables.
- 5-10 minutes: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the carrots and celery.
- 10-15 minutes: Shred the cooked chicken and measure out the chicken broth, olive oil, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and egg noodles.
- Cooking Time (25 minutes):
- 15-20 minutes: Heat the olive oil in the large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sauté until the onion is translucent.
- 20-25 minutes: Stir in the sliced carrots and celery, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
- 25-30 minutes: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- 30-35 minutes: Add the shredded cooked chicken, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- 35-45 minutes: Stir in the egg noodles and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
- Resting Time (5 minutes):
- 45-50 minutes: Remove the pot from heat and let the soup rest for 5 minutes.
- Additional Time for Reading/Reviewing Instructions (5 minutes):
- 50-55 minutes: Use this time to review the recipe instructions thoroughly before starting and confirm you understand each step.
Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and preferences.
Recipe Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
Stir in sliced carrots and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes.
Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
Add shredded cooked chicken, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.
Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
Stir in egg noodles and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until noodles are tender.
Remove pot from heat and let the soup rest for 5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving with a ladle.
Serving Tips
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a slice of warm, crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
- Side Salad: Pair with a fresh green salad for a light and balanced meal.
- Grilled Cheese: Complement the soup with a classic grilled cheese sandwich for extra comfort.
- Crackers: Offer a side of crunchy crackers for added texture and a salty bite.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables for a hearty and nutritious addition.
Storage
To store Panera Chicken Noodle Soup, let it cool completely.
Then transfer to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Or freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
Freezing
To freeze Panera Chicken Noodle Soup, cool completely.
Transfer to airtight containers, leaving space for expansion.
Label with date.
Freeze up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup, gently warm it on the stove over low heat.
Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Alternatively, microwave on medium power.
Stir halfway through for even heating.
Final Thoughts
This Panera-inspired Chicken Noodle Soup is a comforting and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
With its combination of tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and flavorful broth, this soup is sure to please the entire family.
The recipe is simple to follow and can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences.
Consider adding more herbs or vegetables to enhance the flavor even further.
Enjoy this classic soup as a warm and satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Gluten-Free Noodles Instead of Egg Noodles?
Yes, substitute gluten-free noodles for egg noodles. Measure 2 cups of gluten-free noodles, ensuring they have similar cooking times. Stir them in as directed, adjusting the simmering time if necessary to achieve your preferred noodle texture.
How Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, and substitute shredded chicken with 2 cups of diced tofu or chickpeas. Make certain you use 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of thyme for peak flavor. Adjust seasonings as needed.
What Are Some Alternative Herbs to Thyme?
Consider using rosemary or sage for a robust flavor, or marjoram for a milder taste. Use 1 teaspoon of rosemary or marjoram, or 1/2 teaspoon of sage. Confirm herbs are fresh or properly dried for best results.
Can I Make This Soup in a Slow Cooker?
You can make this soup in a slow cooker. Sauté onions and garlic first, then transfer to the cooker. Add all ingredients except noodles and parsley, cooking on low for 6 hours. Add noodles 30 minutes before serving.
Is There a Way to Reduce the Sodium Content?
To reduce sodium, substitute low-sodium chicken broth and limit added salt to 1/4 teaspoon. Use fresh herbs for flavor enhancement. Consider incorporating more vegetables, like spinach, to naturally boost taste without increasing sodium levels.

Panera Chicken Noodle Soup
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 Ladle
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 clove garlic minced
- 3 medium carrots sliced
- 3 stalk celery sliced
- 8 cup chicken broth
- 2 cup cooked chicken shredded
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cup egg noodles
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in sliced carrots and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add shredded cooked chicken, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Stir in egg noodles and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until noodles are tender.
- Remove pot from heat and let the soup rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving with a ladle.