Chinese Cooking 101 Series – How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup #

Ever have a friend who can’t cook at all? Send them this recipe and soon they’ll be making delicious homemade soup with the minimum amount of effort! Learn how to make chicken noodle soup the easy Chinese way with this comprehensive guide.

Watch the Complete Tutorial #

This video tutorial walks you through every step of the process, making it perfect for beginners who want to master this comforting classic dish.

Essential Ingredients #

Main Components #

• Chicken - Use bone-in pieces like thighs or drumsticks for maximum flavor, or boneless chicken breast for convenience
• Fresh egg noodles - Traditional Chinese wheat noodles work best, but any pasta will do
• Celery - Adds crunch and aromatic depth to the broth
• Carrots - Provides natural sweetness and vibrant color

Seasoning & Aromatics #

• Salt and white pepper - Essential for proper seasoning
• Ginger - Fresh ginger adds warmth and authentic Chinese flavor
• Scallions (green onions) - For garnish and mild onion flavor
• Soy sauce - Light soy sauce for umami depth
• Sesame oil - A few drops for finishing
• Chicken bouillon or stock - Enhances the broth’s richness

Step-by-Step Preparation Method #

1. Prepare the Chicken Base #

Start by creating a flavorful chicken broth foundation. If using bone-in chicken, place the pieces in a large pot with cold water, covering by about 2 inches. Add a few slices of fresh ginger and bring to a gentle boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface for a cleaner broth. Reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone.

For a quicker version using boneless chicken, you can poach the chicken breasts in seasoned water for 15-20 minutes, then shred the meat and use the poaching liquid as your base broth.

2. Vegetable Preparation #

While the chicken cooks, prepare your vegetables. Cut the celery stalks into thin diagonal slices, which is traditional in Chinese cooking and provides better texture. Slice the carrots into rounds or diagonal cuts, keeping them relatively thin so they cook evenly and quickly.

The key to great Chinese chicken noodle soup is maintaining the vegetables’ slight crunch, so they shouldn’t be overcooked to mushiness.

3. Noodle Cooking Technique #

Fresh Chinese egg noodles should be cooked separately from the soup to prevent them from becoming mushy and clouding the broth. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook the noodles according to package directions, usually 2-3 minutes for fresh noodles or 8-10 minutes for dried pasta.

Drain the noodles and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process. This technique ensures your noodles maintain their texture when added to the hot soup.

4. Assembly and Final Seasoning #

Once your chicken is cooked and shredded (if using bone-in pieces), strain the broth and return it to the pot. Bring the broth back to a simmer and add your prepared vegetables. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Season the broth with salt, white pepper, and a splash of light soy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The soup should be well-balanced with a rich chicken flavor and subtle seasoning that doesn’t overpower the ingredients.

5. Serving the Soup #

Place a portion of cooked noodles in each serving bowl. Ladle the hot chicken broth with vegetables over the noodles, then top with the shredded chicken. Garnish with chopped scallions and a few drops of sesame oil for authentic Chinese flavor.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results #

Broth Quality: The secret to exceptional chicken noodle soup lies in the quality of your broth. Don’t rush this step – a slow simmer develops deeper flavor than a rapid boil.

Vegetable Timing: Add vegetables in order of cooking time needed. Carrots go in first, followed by celery, ensuring everything finishes cooking simultaneously.

Noodle Texture: Always cook noodles separately and add them to individual bowls rather than the pot. This prevents overcooking and maintains the soup’s clarity.

Make-Ahead Option: The soup base can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Simply reheat, cook fresh noodles, and assemble when ready to serve.

Nutritional Benefits #

This homemade chicken noodle soup provides excellent nutrition, combining high-quality protein from chicken, complex carbohydrates from noodles, and essential vitamins from vegetables. It’s particularly beneficial when you’re feeling under the weather, as the warm broth helps with hydration and the steam can ease congestion.

Variations and Customizations #

Feel free to customize this basic recipe with additional vegetables like bok choy, mushrooms, or corn. Some cooks add a beaten egg stirred into the hot broth for extra richness, creating egg drop-style wisps throughout the soup.

For a more substantial meal, consider adding wontons or dumplings instead of noodles, transforming this into a hearty dumpling soup that’s equally satisfying.

Storage and Reheating #

Store leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep noodles separate if possible, as they continue to absorb liquid and can become mushy. When reheating, add a splash of water or additional broth to restore the proper consistency.

This recipe serves 4-6 people generously and makes an excellent comfort food meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked vegetables, and slurp-worthy noodles in a flavorful broth creates a bowl of pure comfort that’s perfect for any season.

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