Nothing beats a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup when you’re feeling under the weather or just craving some comfort food. Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic that many of us grew up with and preparing it on the stove is actually super simple! I’ve made this soup countless times and I’m excited to share all my tips and tricks with you today.
Why Make Campbell’s Soup on the Stove?
While microwaving might seem faster the stovetop method is actually the gold standard for preparing Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. It gives you better control over the heat and consistency, allowing for even heating that prevents scorching and ensures perfectly cooked noodles. Plus, there’s something nostalgic about watching soup simmer on the stove!
What You’ll Need
Before we dive into the cooking process. let’s gather our essentials
- One can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup (10.75 oz)
- Water or chicken broth
- A medium saucepan with a lid
- A spoon or ladle for stirring
That’s all you need for the basic recipe! But if you wanna get fancy (which I often do), consider having these optional add-ins handy:
- Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives
- Lemon juice or hot sauce for extra zing
- Diced cooked chicken or turkey to bulk it up
- Vegetables like celery, carrots, or onion
Step-by-Step Guide to Stovetop Success
Step 1: Empty the Can into a Saucepan
Pour the entire contents of your Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup can into a medium-sized saucepan. Make sure to get all those noodles and that savory broth into the pan!
Step 2: Add Water or Broth
Now it’s time to add liquid. You’ve got several options here:
- Classic ratio: Add one can of water (using the empty soup can as a measuring cup)
- Thinner soup: Use two cans of water to stretch the soup further
- Richer flavor: Use one can of chicken broth instead of water (I recommend low-sodium broth if you’re watching your salt intake)
Step 3: Heat and Stir
Place your saucepan on the stove over medium heat. As it starts to warm up, stir the soup occasionally. This helps prevent any scorching on the bottom of the pan, which can ruin the flavor.
Step 4: Bring to a Gentle Simmer
Continue heating and stirring until your soup reaches a gentle simmer. You’ll see small bubbles breaking the surface. This is important: do NOT let the soup boil vigorously! A hard boil can make the noodles mushy and nobody wants that.
If it starts bubbling too much, just lower the heat a bit. We want a nice, gentle simmer.
Step 5: Simmer and Stir Occasionally
Once you’ve reached that perfect simmer, let the soup continue cooking for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the noodles are heated through.
Step 6: Add Any Extra Ingredients (Optional)
If you’re adding extra ingredients to customize your soup, now’s the time! Toss in your diced veggies, extra chicken, or fresh herbs. Let the soup simmer for another 2-3 minutes to incorporate all these delicious additions.
Step 7: Adjust Seasoning and Serve
Give your soup a taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy your homemade comfort food!
Tips for Making Your Soup Even Better
The basic stovetop method makes a classic Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, but why stop there? Here are some of my favorite ways to take this soup to the next level:
- Upgrade the base: Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor
- Add creaminess: Stir in a splash of milk or cream at the end (after turning off the heat)
- Get tangy: Add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for a pleasant tanginess
- Veggie boost: Toss in extra diced carrots, celery, onions, peas, or corn
- Herb it up: Sprinkle with fresh parsley, dill, or other herbs
- Carb variations: Add cooked rice or small pasta shapes for variety
- Spice it up: Add hot sauce, lemon juice, or a dash of vinegar for some zing
- Protein boost: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken for extra protein
Common Questions About Making Campbell’s Soup
Can I use milk instead of water?
While you technically can use milk, it’s not recommended as the primary liquid. Milk can sometimes curdle when heated in soup, especially if the soup is already slightly acidic. If you want creaminess, add a bit of milk at the very end after turning off the heat.
What if I accidentally boil the soup?
Don’t panic! Just reduce the heat immediately and continue to simmer gently. The noodles might be a bit softer than ideal, but the soup will still be delicious. Try to avoid vigorous stirring which can further break down the noodles.
How long can I store leftover soup?
You can keep leftover Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Make sure to reheat it thoroughly before serving.
Can I freeze this soup?
Freezing isn’t ideal for Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup because the noodles tend to become mushy upon thawing. If you must freeze it, store in an airtight container with some headspace for expansion. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently, but be prepared for a change in noodle texture.
Why is my soup so salty?
Campbell’s soups are known to be relatively high in sodium. If you find it too salty, you can:
- Add more water to dilute the flavor
- Add vegetables, which will absorb some of the salt
- Use a potato trick – add diced potato which will absorb some saltiness, then remove before serving
My soup is too thick. How do I thin it out?
Simply add a little more water or broth, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Make sure to stir well after each addition.
Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot or slow cooker?
Yes! For Instant Pot, add the soup and water, then cook on Manual High Pressure for 2 minutes with a natural pressure release of 10 minutes.
For slow cooker, combine ingredients, cover, and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Customization Ideas for Every Taste
One of the best things about Campbell’s soup is how easily you can customize it. Here are some themed variations I love:
Cold Buster Soup
When you’re feeling under the weather, try adding:
- Extra garlic
- A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes
- Fresh ginger
- A squeeze of lemon
Creamy Version
For a richer, creamier soup:
- Add 1/4 cup of half-and-half or cream at the end
- Stir in a tablespoon of butter
- Add a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese
Hearty Vegetable Chicken Noodle
To pack in more nutrients:
- Add diced carrots, celery, and onion
- Throw in some frozen peas or corn
- Include chopped spinach or kale at the end
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup has been a staple in American pantries for generations. It’s simple, comforting, and with these stovetop techniques, can be transformed into something even more special. Whether you’re making it exactly as directed or jazzing it up with your own spin, this soup brings warmth to any day.
Remember, the key to perfect stovetop soup is gentle heat, occasional stirring, and adding any personal touches that make it your own. Even from a can, this soup can become a homemade-tasting meal that satisfies the soul.
So next time you’re craving some comfort food, skip the microwave and head to the stove. Your taste buds (and maybe even your grandma) will thank you!
What’s your favorite way to customize Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup? I’d love to hear about your special ingredients or techniques in the comments below!
Cold Buster Chicken Noodle Soup
Add minced Ginger, Green Onion and a small amount of Turmeric and increase the Cayenne Pepper for a Cold Busting Chicken Noodles Soup, enough to make the nose sniffle. Use 1-2 minced Garlic Cloves in place of the Garlic in the recipe, and add about 1 tsp of gelatin to help soothe the stomach.
This is excellent without any added Chicken or Noodles or using the Soup Noodles the same as Lipton poured into a mug to sip on whenever you have the cold or flu.
You can even add in a vitamin B pill. Yep, I have done this, and amazingly it assists in an even deeper yellow color. I forget which kind I used, but thought that it was pretty cool. Add this in last after the Soup is taken off the heat. You can also add in some vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate). Both vitamin B & C are heat sensitive and while some of it will break down because of the heat. About 70-90% still ends up in the broth.
Maggi Chicken Bouillon Cubes
Use 4 Bouillon cubes for 8 cups of Water.
Use 3 Tbl of Broth Powder for 8 Cups of Water.
This takes quite a bit of effort and time, about 3–5 hours and an overnight chill. But the pay-off is a more nutrient dense and natural Chicken Broth with plenty of Gelatin. Use a Whole 3-4 lb Chicken or saved Chicken Bones.
I know this seems odd and maybe gross. But man does it ever offer a gelatinous mouthfeel and silkiness to the soup with plenty of fat. It really is next level stuff for a Chicken Soup in general. These are used when making a Homemade Broth. No additional fat needs to be added. Since the Chicken feet will render out plenty of it. Adding in Chicken feet really does make the Chicken Broth Richer.