Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

The Lightened Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is a comfort classic with a healthy twist. It starts with a flavorful base of sautéed mirepoix, enhanced with fragrant garlic, thyme, and oregano. The addition of a diced potato provides both heartiness and a velvety texture that blends beautifully with tender shredded rotisserie chicken and wide egg noodles. Unlike heavier cream-based soups, this version uses milk or half-and-half to maintain richness without the weight. It’s the perfect cozy meal for chilly evenings, a soothing option when you’re feeling under the weather, or a thoughtful dish to share with friends or neighbors. Serve it with warm crusty bread for an incredibly satisfying meal.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

• ¾ cup chopped yellow onion

• 1 cup sliced carrots

• 1 cup sliced celery

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh)

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 teaspoon fresh)

• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

• 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

• 2 cups cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken

• 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk

• 3 to 4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles

• Optional garnish: fresh thyme leaves

Directions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.

2. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.

3. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Cook for another 2 minutes.

4. Add chicken broth and diced potato. Stir, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat for 3 minutes.

5. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer for 25 minutes until the potato is tender.

6. Stir in the chicken, half-and-half (or milk), and noodles. Cook for 10 more minutes, or until noodles are soft and soup has thickened.

7. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

8. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh thyme.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 203 kcal per cup | Servings: 8 servings (approx. 1 cup each)

The Comfort of a Classic: Lightened Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

There’s something timeless and universally comforting about a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It evokes memories of family dinners, cozy winter nights, and healing comfort when you’re feeling under the weather. But what if we told you that you can enjoy that same sense of warmth and nostalgia without the heaviness of traditional cream-based soups?

That’s where Lightened Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup comes in. This recipe strikes a beautiful balance—offering a rich, creamy texture while remaining light and nutritious. Based on Sally’s Baking Addiction’s popular version, this soup has earned a spot as a go-to meal for families, busy professionals, and anyone who craves a healthier take on comfort food.

Let’s dive into what makes this soup so special—and why it deserves a regular spot on your weekly meal plan.

A Light Twist on a Classic Favorite

Traditional creamy chicken noodle soup often relies on heavy cream or butter-laden roux for its texture and richness. While delicious, that approach can leave you feeling weighed down or overly full. In contrast, this lightened version uses just a touch of half-and-half or whole milk to give you that same creamy satisfaction—without all the excess fat and calories.

What sets this soup apart is the smart use of wholesome ingredients like diced potatoes, which naturally break down during cooking and contribute to the velvety texture. This technique reduces the need for large amounts of dairy while also adding fiber and essential nutrients.

Why This Recipe Is a Nutritional Win

One of the best things about this recipe is that it manages to be both indulgent and nourishing at the same time. A single cup contains around 203 calories and an impressive 20 grams of protein, thanks to the inclusion of shredded rotisserie chicken. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to increase their protein intake while keeping calorie counts in check.

The vegetable base—onion, carrots, and celery—not only provides classic soup flavor but also delivers important vitamins like A, C, and K. The herbs (thyme and oregano) add anti-inflammatory benefits and a comforting aroma, transforming every spoonful into a nourishing experience.

In short: This is the soup you want on your table when you’re looking to eat clean without compromising flavor.

It’s All About Convenience and Simplicity

If you’re busy—and who isn’t these days?—this soup is a life-saver. It uses rotisserie chicken, which means there’s no need to spend extra time cooking meat. Simply shred and add it in during the last 10 minutes of cooking. This not only cuts down on prep time but also ensures the chicken stays tender and juicy.

The entire meal comes together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. From stovetop to bowl, the entire process takes less than an hour. It’s the kind of dinner you can whip up on a busy weeknight, make ahead for meal prep, or freeze for a quick reheat option on a cold day.

The Secret Ingredient: Potato

While it might not be traditional, the humble potato is the secret weapon in this recipe. As it simmers, the potato softens and slowly releases starch into the broth, giving the soup a naturally thick and creamy texture. It’s a healthier alternative to using cream or cornstarch-heavy thickeners, and it adds heartiness without heaviness.

Plus, potatoes are a fantastic source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6—important for energy metabolism and immune function.

Flavor Depth from Fresh Herbs and Garlic

Herbs are more than just garnish in this dish—they’re an integral part of the flavor profile. The recipe uses dried or fresh thyme and oregano, which infuse the broth with earthy, comforting notes that elevate it from average to exceptional.

Add to that a couple of cloves of fresh garlic, sautéed along with the onions, carrots, and celery, and you have a deeply flavorful base that builds complexity from the very first step. Don’t skip the sauté—it’s what turns this soup into a crave-worthy meal instead of just another bowl of broth and noodles.

Ingredient Swaps and Variations

One of the many reasons this soup is beloved by home cooks is its flexibility. Here are some easy swaps and additions to customize it to your preferences:

• Non-Dairy Options: Substitute the milk or half-and-half with plain oat milk or unsweetened almond milk for a dairy-free version. Note that the soup will be slightly less creamy, but still flavorful.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta or rice instead of egg noodles.
• Low-Carb: Omit the noodles and potato entirely, or swap in chopped cauliflower for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Add Greens: Toss in a handful of spinach or kale during the final 5 minutes of cooking for an extra boost of nutrients.
• Use Leftovers: Got leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? It works just as well as chicken in this dish.

This versatility makes it the ideal base recipe—easy to adapt based on what’s in your fridge.

Meal Prep and Freezer Friendly

Another reason to fall in love with this dish: it’s perfect for batch cooking. Whether you’re cooking for a small family or prepping meals for one, this soup stores beautifully in the fridge and freezer.

• Refrigerator: Keeps well for up to 5–6 days in an airtight container.
• Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.

Pro tip: You may want to cook the noodles separately and add them to each portion before eating, especially if you plan to store the soup for more than 2–3 days. This helps avoid mushy noodles and keeps the texture fresh.

How to Serve It

Though the soup is fully satisfying on its own, you can make the meal extra cozy by pairing it with:

• Crusty artisan bread or homemade dinner rolls
• A side salad with a simple vinaigrette
• Fresh herbs sprinkled on top
• A squeeze of lemon juice for brightness (highly recommended)

For presentation, ladle the soup into deep bowls and garnish with fresh thyme. If you’re serving guests, consider offering it in bread bowls for a wow-worthy touch that feels restaurant-quality at home.

Why Readers and Home Cooks Love It

This recipe has gained a loyal following on Sally’s Baking Addiction for good reason. With hundreds of five-star reviews, readers often describe it as:

• “The best chicken soup I’ve ever made.”
• “My go-to comfort food all winter.”
• “So flavorful and easy, even my picky kids love it.”

And perhaps the best compliment: “It tastes like something you’d get at a café, but better.”

It’s not just a recipe—it’s a reliable, soul-warming meal that you’ll find yourself craving time and time again.

Conclusion

The Lightened Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup isn’t just another variation of a comfort food classic—it’s a thoughtful, balanced, and deeply satisfying dish that fits perfectly into modern, health-conscious lifestyles. Whether you’re curled up under a blanket on a chilly night, feeding a hungry family after school, or looking for an easy way to repurpose leftover rotisserie chicken, this recipe delivers on all fronts.

With its blend of fresh vegetables, warm herbs, creamy texture, and tender chicken, it proves that you don’t need a heavy hand to create rich, crave-worthy flavor. This soup is proof that comfort and wellness can absolutely go hand in hand.

Try it once, and you’ll quickly understand why this is more than a recipe—it’s a staple.