Many of us grew up eating chicken noodle soup when we were sick. It’s warm, comforting, and makes you feel full on a cold day. But if you’re watching your weight, you may be wondering how many calories are in a bowl of this favorite soup. Today, we’re going to talk about how many calories are in chicken noodle soup and how they change between recipes and restaurant options.
The Calorie Range in Chicken Noodle Soup
The number of calories in chicken noodle soups can vary a lot. A simple cup of homemade chicken noodle soup with broth, veggies, chicken, and noodles might only have 100 to 200 calories. Some canned, condensed, and restaurant versions, on the other hand, can have 300 to 500 calories per serving.
This calorie range depends on a few key factors
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The ingredients: Using higher fat ingredients like cream, butter and oils will add more calories than a broth-based soup. Going lighter on the chicken or using lean chicken breast will be fewer calories than chicken with skin. And a soup loaded with noodles, potatoes and other starchy ingredients will have a higher calorie count than one focused more on the broth and veggies.
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Portion size: A small cup of soup will have fewer calories than a large bowl. Pay attention to portion sizes when comparing calorie counts.
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Add-ins: Croutons, cheese, crackers and other accompaniments can quickly add calories to your soup. Going without these extras can help lighten it up.
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Preparation method: Homemade soups made from scratch are usually lower in calories than canned, condensed and restaurant preparations which may use more fat, salt and thickeners.
So when looking at chicken noodle soup calories, the specifics of the recipe and portion size make a major difference.
Calorie Count in Popular Chicken Noodle Soups
To give you an idea of the range of calories, here are the nutrition facts for some well-known brands and recipes of chicken noodle soup:
- Campbell’s condensed chicken noodle soup: 130 calories in 1 cup
- Progresso traditional chicken noodle soup: 110 calories in 1 cup
- Lipton chicken noodle soup mix: 128 calories in 1 cup prepared
- Homemade chicken noodle soup: 100-200 calories in 1 cup depending on ingredients used
- Chicken noodle soup at Panera Bread: 330 calories in 1 bowl (16 oz)
- Chicken noodle soup at Chick-fil-A: 170 calories in 1 cup | 340 calories in 1 bowl (2 cups)
- Chicken noodle soup at Olive Garden: 280 calories in 1 bowl
You can see that restaurant and canned chicken soups have at least 100 more calories per serving than homemade soups. And big bowls from restaurants can have 300 to 500 calories, depending on what’s in them and how much you eat.
So if you’re looking for a lighter chicken noodle soup, your best bet is to make it yourself using chicken or vegetable broth, limiting oils and cream, and loading up on vegetables. Aim for 1 cup servings to control portions.
Tips for Lightening up Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is already a relatively healthy comfort food, especially when made from scratch. But you can trim even more calories and boost nutrition with these easy tips:
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Use reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth as the base.
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Sauté aromatics like onions, carrots and celery in broth instead of oil.
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Choose whole wheat or veggie noodles instead of regular enriched pasta.
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Load up on low calorie vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach or kale.
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Use lean chicken breast rather than thighs or legs with skin. Take off any visible fat before cooking.
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Skip high fat cream or milk and use fat free half and half or milk if desired.
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Limit salty crackers, croutons or oyster crackers on top.
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Add flavor with herbs and spices instead of salt.
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Spoon the soup into your bowl instead of drinking directly from the pot or ladle to better control portions.
With some simple substitutions and boosting the nutritional value, you can enjoy this feel good classic while still watching your calories. A 1-2 cup serving of homemade chicken noodle soup prepared with care will give you all the comfort without the excess.
The Bottom Line
When looking at how many calories are in chicken noodle soup, the specifics of the recipe and preparation method make a big impact. Homemade versions clock in around 100-200 calories for a 1 cup serving. But condensed, canned and restaurant preparations can range from 300-500+ calories depending on ingredients and portion size. To lighten it up, make it yourself using vegetable broth, load up on veggies and herbs, use lean chicken breast, go easy on starchy noodles and limit high fat additions like cream. With some simple tweaks, you can still enjoy the comforting taste of chicken noodle soup without the high calorie count.
IngredientsChicken Broth, Cooked White Chicken Meat, Carrots, Egg Noodles (semolina wheat, egg, egg white), Celery. Contains less than 2% of: Modified Food Starch, Water, Chicken Fat, Salt, Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Carrot Puree, Onion Powder, Sugar, Soy Protein Isolate, Tomato Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Garlic Powder, Parsley*, Natural Flavor, Chives*, Maltodextrin, Spice, Beta Carotene (color). *Dried
| Food component / Nutrient | Amount, As Packaged | % DVDaily Value*, As Packaged |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 2.5g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 4% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | —% Value not available |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 660mg | 29% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Total Sugars | 1g | —% Value not available |
| Incl. Added Sugars | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 7g | 10% |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium | 0mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 350mg | 8% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | ||
Ingredients, nutrition facts, and allergen statements can change. Always refer to the actual package for the most complete and accurate information.
Product DescriptionMade with chicken broth, chicken, egg noodles, and savory vegetables, Progresso Traditional Chicken Noodle Soup has been warming tables and bellies for generations. Our chicken noodle soup contains no artificial flavors and no colors from artificial sources, with 100 calories per serving. Preparation is convenient and easy. Just heat in a saucepan on the stove top or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Stock up on Progresso Soups as a way to warm up from the inside out during cold and flu season. Whenever you’re feeling under the weather, add our canned soups to your shopping list of essentials such as tissues, cold or cough medicine, or cough drops. At Progresso, we’re passionate about making great products. We’ve been creating soups, including favorites like Tomato Soup, Clam Chowder, and Creamy Mushroom Soup, for more than 100 years. And today, Progresso still uses quality ingredients for a tasteful flavor found only in our line of canned soup products.
- CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP: In the traditional way, this soup is made with chicken, egg noodles, vegetables, and other tasty things.
- DURING THE COLD AND FLU SEASON: A warm bowl of Progresso Soup is the best way to feel better. Stock up on seasonal items like tissues, cough drops, cough medicine for kids, and more.
- GOOD RECIPE: No added flavors or colors; also try Tomato Soup, Clam Chowder, and Creamy Mushroom Soup, which are all crowd favorites.
- EASY: Just put soup in a saucepan and heat it up on the stove, or put it in a bowl that can go in the microwave and heat it up there.
- It has one 19-ounce can of Progresso Traditional Chicken Noodle Soup in it, which is enough for two servings.
How Many Calories In Chicken Noodle Soup? – Obesity Fighters Club
FAQ
Is chicken soup healthy for weight loss?
Yes, chicken soup can be a healthy and helpful addition to a weight loss diet. It’s low in calories and fat, yet can be very filling due to its protein and broth content.
How many calories are in an entire can of chicken noodle soup?
Soup, CAMPBELL’S Chicken Noodle, canned, condensed, 1 can (10. 75 oz)Protein (g)7. 93Energy (kcal)155. 55Fiber, total dietary (g)1. 83Calcium, Ca (mg)33. 55Iron, Fe (mg)1. 83.
How many calories does a bowl of Chick-fil-A chicken noodle soup have?
One cup of Chick fil a chicken noodle soup bowl is around 236. 7 grams and contains approximately 211. 0 calories, 16. 5 grams of protein, 5. 5 grams of fat, and 22. 9 grams of carbohydrates. Chick Fil A Chicken Noodle Soup Bowl is a warm, comforting classic that brings a taste of home.
How many calories are in one bowl of chicken soup?
One cup of Indian chicken soup is around 237. 9 grams and contains approximately 145. 6 calories, 14. 6 grams of protein, 4. 9 grams of fat, and 9. 7 grams of ….