What Are the Ingredients in Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup? A Closer Look at This Pantry Staple

As one of the most popular and iconic canned soups in America Campbell’s chicken noodle soup has been a go-to for generations when we’re feeling under the weather or just want something warm and comforting to eat. This classic pantry staple is beloved for its savory chicken broth tender noodles, and bits of chicken – but have you ever stopped to look at the ingredients list on a can?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what goes into Campbell’s famous chicken noodle soup. We’ll examine how the ingredients have changed over the years, compare the original recipe to today’s version, and outline the current complete ingredients list.

A Nostalgic Walk Down Campbell’s Lane

Campbell’s first condensed soups came out in 1897, and the company’s chicken noodle variety came out not long after, in 1934. The simple soup had a simple list of ingredients, including chicken and chicken broth, noodles, vegetables, and seasonings.

But over the years, the recipe has changed to include more flavor enhancers, thickeners, and preservatives to make it last longer and be consistent from batch to batch. Campbell’s chicken noodle soup is still the tasty comfort food we know and love, but the list of ingredients is very different from the original.

Then Versus Now: How the Ingredients Have Changed

Looking at old Campbell’s labels next to new ones with updated ingredient lists lets us see how this famous soup has changed:

• Broth: Chicken broth was originally made with real chicken stock. The first ingredient in today’s version is mostly water, and chicken stock is very far down the list.

• Noodles: The original soup contained basic flour and egg noodles. Current varieties replace part of the wheat flour with cornstarch.

• Chicken: Actual chicken meat was once the main protein source. Modern Campbell’s often uses “chicken flavor” from hydrolyzed proteins and yeast extract.

• Preservatives: Vintage recipes used no preservatives. Today’s soup contains modified cornstarch and yeast extract to maintain freshness.

• Flavors: Rather than seasonings like salt and pepper, current Campbell’s chicken noodle relies on artificial flavors and controversial MSG.

• Thickness: Where homemade broth is naturally thick, modern Campbell’s adds cornstarch to create consistency.

While these changes likely came from a need to scale up production and distribute their product nationally, it means today’s Campbell’s chicken noodle soup strays quite far from homemade taste and quality.

The Full Ingredients List in 2023 Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup

So exactly what will you find if you read the ingredients label on a can of Campbell’s classic chicken noodle soup today? Let’s take a look at the complete list:

• Chicken Stock: Contrary to the name, this is now primarily water with some chicken broth and chicken fat.

• Enriched Egg Noodles: Contains wheat flour, eggs, and added vitamins.

• Chicken Meat: Notably does not say 100% chicken meat. Contains antibiotics.

• Salt: For flavor.

• Chicken Fat: Adds moistness and chicken flavor.

• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Flavor enhancer that may cause reactions in some people.

• Cornstarch: Thickens the broth.

• Modified Cornstarch: Adds thickness and stability as a preservative.

• Natural Flavoring: Likely contains MSG or hydrolyzed proteins.

• Sugar: Boosts sweetness.

• Beta Carotene: Provides yellow food coloring.

• Onion Powder: Dehydrated for flavor.

• Soy Protein Isolate: Adds savory taste and thickness.

• Yeast Extract: Flavor enhancer that contains MSG.

• Dried Chicken: Additional chicken source.

• Garlic Extract: Dehydrated garlic flavor.

As you can see, modern Campbell’s chicken noodle soup contains a significant number of thickeners, preservatives, flavor enhancers, and other stabilization ingredients. While these components allow the soup to be safely canned and retain its signature taste, they move it further away from homemade simplicity.

Closing Thoughts

While Campbell’s chicken noodle remains a cherished pantry staple for its familiar flavors and heartwarming associations, a closer look at today’s ingredients list reveals it’s come a long way from its original recipe. Over the decades, the formula has evolved and changed dramatically to meet large-scale production demands.

The resulting product is still tasty and satisfying when we need a dose of quick comfort. However, next time you reach for a can, be aware that you’re getting a very different soup than what Grandma once ladled from her stove – and it pays to read the labels before indulging in this iconic family favorite.