This is by far my favorite recipe for homemade chicken noodle soup. It’s easy, healthy, and filling all at the same time. It’s creamy yet light, and benefits from the addition of potato, thyme, oregano, and convenient pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. If you’re looking for an easy yet incredibly delicious homemade creamy chicken noodle soup recipe, just read some of the reviews below, then try it for yourself!.
This recipe was first posted in 2015. Since then, I’ve added some new pictures, a video tutorial, and a few more tips for making it work.
This is one of those recipes I like to make a big double batch of on a cold, slow weekend in January, and freeze half for future busy weeknights. It’s also a great recipe to give to a friend or neighbor who needs a warm home-cooked meal. And it’s a perfect back to school recipe when schedules get very busy.
This creamy chicken noodle soup has only about 200 calories per 1 cup. The potato adds heartiness to the soup and, as it cooks, makes the soup even creamier. I’ve made this soup probably close to 100 times since I originally published the recipe. Trust me, don’t leave that potato out!
Cozy up with a bowl of this soup, alongside a fresh salad and a warm slice of homemade artisan bread, for a meal that will leave you feeling satisfied, but not weighed down. If lightened-up comfort food is what you crave, be sure to try my creamy cauliflower potato soup and butternut squash mac and cheese, too!
Cream of chicken soup is a pantry staple that is loved for how versatile it is. That little can of flavorful, creamy soup can change everything from weeknight meals to holiday sides. But canned cream of chicken soup can be used in more than just casseroles. It can be added to sauces, dips, pasta dishes, soups, and more.
Cream of chicken soup is more than just a quick fix when you add a few more things to it. Follow the links to find 25 tasty recipes that use canned cream of chicken soup.
Use It As A Sauce or Gravy
Cream of chicken soup makes an instant creamy sauce or gravy. Simply thin it with milk, broth, or water. Then use it to top proteins, starches, and vegetables. For example, spoon it over baked chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, pasta, and rice. Kick up the flavor with spices and herbs like black pepper, parsley, thyme, and sage.
Mix It Into Pasta
Transform cream of chicken soup into a luscious pasta sauce. Thin it with liquid, then toss with cooked pasta and shredded chicken or ham. For a creamy tomato sauce, combine soup with canned tomatoes. Sprinkle in Parmesan or cheddar for extra richness.
Make Chicken Enchiladas
Cream of chicken soup can be used as the sauce for quick chicken enchiladas. Wrap tortillas in shredded chicken, then add the soup cheese that has been thinned out and any other toppings you want. Bake until hot and bubbly.
Add It to Chowders and Bisques
Canned cream of chicken soup gives cream soups like corn chowder, crab bisque, and potato soup more body and chicken flavor. To make the soup thinner, add less heavy cream or milk.
Create Dip
Blend cream of chicken soup with cream cheese or sour cream to instantly make a creamy, protein-packed dip for veggies, crackers, and chips. Keep it simple or spice it up with herbs, spices, bacon, or shredded chicken.
Bake It Into Quiches
For a shortcut quiche, pour thinned cream of chicken soup into a pie crust. Top with sautéed veggies, cheese, cooked chicken, and bacon or ham if desired. Bake until set and golden on top.
Make Chicken & Dumplings
Cream of chicken soup adds comforting flavor and richness to chicken and dumplings. Use it instead of heavy cream or milk to create the stew base. Then top with homemade or canned biscuit dough.
Flavor Stuffing and Dressing
Give stuffing and dressing a boost of chicken flavor with canned soup. Fold it into the mixture along with traditional ingredients like bread cubes, veggies, herbs, broth, eggs, and butter or oil.
Bake It Into Casseroles
Casseroles wouldn’t be the same without cream of chicken soup! It binds ingredients, adds moisture, and infuses comfort food flavor. Popular creamy chicken soup casseroles include King Ranch chicken, green bean casserole, tuna noodle, and broccoli rice.
Make Scalloped Potatoes
For ultra-rich, creamy scalloped potatoes, use cream of chicken soup instead of milk or cream. Pour the soup over sliced potatoes, top with cheese, and bake. Serve this indulgent side dish with holiday meals.
Cook Rice
Here’s a clever tip: Cook rice in diluted cream of chicken soup rather than plain broth or water. The starch from the rice will thicken the soup into a creamy, chicken-flavored rice dish.
Use in Pot Pies
Cream of chicken soup is an easy shortcut for pot pie gravy. Sauté vegetables, then stir in the soup. Fill a pie crust and top with biscuits or puff pastry. Chicken pot pie has never been simpler.
Make Chicken Noodle Soup
Transform basic chicken noodle soup into a creamy, comforting version by stirring in cream of chicken soup at the end. Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce heat and add noodles, chicken, and soup.
Bake Meatloaf
Meatloaf stays juicy when made with cream of chicken soup. Just whisk half a can into the ground meat and binder mixture. The soup adds moisture and enhances the chicken or turkey flavor.
Cook grains
Add creaminess to whole grains like rice, barley, farro, and quinoa by cooking them in diluted cream of chicken soup instead of broth or water. The starch from the grains will thicken the soup into a creamy sauce.
Make Chicken & Waffles
Here’s an unexpected way to use cream of chicken soup: Make it into a sauce for chicken and waffles! Thin the soup with milk and spike with maple syrup and hot sauce for a sweet, spicy topping.
Bake empanadas
For a fun twist on cream of chicken soup, fill empanada dough with a mix of shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, salsa, beans, or cheese. Bake until the dough is golden brown for handheld chicken pot pies.
Stuff vegetables
Fill hollowed out vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini with a creamy filling of cream of chicken soup, shredded chicken, cheese, rice, or quinoa. Bake until the vegetables are tender.
Make chicken salad
Boost the flavor of chicken salad with a bit of cream of chicken soup. Use it along with mayo or Greek yogurt to bind shredded chicken, celery, onion, grapes, and nuts or seeds. Spoon onto bread, lettuce, or crackers.
Top baked potatoes
Load up baked potatoes with an easy chicken topping. Thin cream of chicken soup with milk and mix with shredded chicken, bacon, cheese, and veggies. For twice-baked potatoes, add the filling to hollowed-out skins.
Cook chicken breasts
Poach chicken breasts in diluted cream of chicken soup for extra flavor and moisture. Cook over low heat until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Shred and use in casseroles, pasta, soup, salads, and sandwiches.
Make turkey meatballs
Turkey meatballs stay tender when mixed with cream of chicken soup. Combine the soup with ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, and spices. Then roll into balls and bake until cooked through.
Bake chicken wings
Make crispy baked chicken wings with a sticky, finger-licking sauce. Toss the wings in diluted cream of chicken soup mixed with your favorite wing sauce. Bake until caramelized and browned.
So grab a can of cream of chicken soup next time you shop. With a little creativity, this humble pantry staple can seriously upgrade your everyday meals and sides!
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Light & Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Lightened up, yet still creamy and so satisfying
- It can be cooked on the stove or in a small pot.
- 1-pot meal
- Using a cooked rotisserie chicken saves time
- So much more delicious than store-bought soup
- Make ahead of time and freeze
- Good way to use up leftover chicken
- Flavorful spices, herbs, and vegetables
- This is a reader favorite from my list of 30 tasty fall dinner recipes
- Ultimate winter comfort food!
Best Ingredients to Use:
You need 1 big pot and a few staple ingredients. This is a forgiving recipe, so let’s review what can change if needed.
- Butter: Just a Tablespoon, to soften the vegetables.
- Foods: The mirepoix base for this soup is made of onion, carrots, and celery.
- Herbs and spices: Mix garlic, oregano, thyme (fresh or dried), fresh ground pepper, and salt. You can use any other herbs you like instead if you’d like.
- If you add flour or cornstarch, the soup will thicken and go from brothy to creamy. See recipe Note for that substitution.
- Chicken Broth: Or stock.
- Potato: The first magical thing in this recipe is one medium potato. When it cooks down, it makes the soup SO creamy, hearty, and filling.
- Chicken: You can use already-cooked chicken in this recipe, which saves time. You could also use cooked turkey that you already have, like we do in this turkey pot pie! I usually buy a small rotisserie chicken, shred it, and add it to the soup right away. (I do the same thing with this BBQ chicken pizza—so easy!) You can also boil or poach chicken breasts with garlic and thyme, let them cool a bit (or put them in the fridge for a day or two), and then shred or chop them. You can also make my chicken quinoa salad or peanut chicken zucchini noodles with chicken that you have left over.
- Another magical thing that will make your homemade chicken noodle soup the creamiest soup ever is milk or half-and-half. One cup of whole milk or half-and-half should be used. If you don’t want your chicken noodle soup to be creamy, add more chicken broth instead of milk.
- No noodles: I like wide egg noodles in chicken soup, but you can use any dry pasta you like or not use any at all.
If you can find wide egg noodles, go ahead and use those in today’s soup. If you don’t have egg noodles, any dry pasta you like would work. Make sure the noodles are small enough to fit on a spoon. If necessary, break up any big dry pasta before you use it. A few readers have even used tortellini instead!.
EASIEST Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
FAQ
How to improve canned cream of chicken soup?
Add sautéed aromatics like onion or garlic My favorite way to upgrade canned soup is to add sautéed onion and garlic. Whether alone or together, they add a rich, potent flavor and an enticing aroma that won’t be overlooked. It works on almost all kinds of canned soup, which is one of the best things about this boost.
What can I add to canned chicken soup to make it better?
More Ways to Add Flavor Add more flavor to your chicken soup by adding dried parsley, onion powder, or garlic powder. I recommend adding 1⁄2 to 1 full teaspoon. A splash of any kind of vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is another great way to make something taste better.
What to add to chicken soup to make it tastier?
Add peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, poultry seasoning, basil, and parsley.Dec 11, 2023
What spices to add to cream of chicken soup?
Pour in the rest of the broth and 1/2 cup of milk, and whisk in the salt, black pepper, parsley, lemon pepper seasoning, allspice, and paprika. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and allow to simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.