Ah, chicken noodle soup – that comforting bowl of goodness that soothes the soul and warms you up on chilly days. But let’s be honest, we’ve all been there staring at a giant pot of leftover soup in the fridge, wondering if we can stomach another bowl for the fourth day in a row.
Good news! Your leftover chicken noodle soup doesn’t have to meet its fate as a sad, reheated meal. With a little creativity, you can transform yesterday’s soup into exciting new dishes that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy!
I’ve gathered 21 creative ideas to help you rescue that leftover chicken noodle soup from monotony. These recipes are not just practical and delicious but also perfect for reducing food waste. Let’s dive in!
Getting Creative with Leftover Broth
The flavorful broth in your chicken noodle soup is liquid gold! Here’s how to make the most of it:
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Flavor Boosting Ice Cubes: Freeze broth in ice cube trays to add instant flavor to future dishes like rice, quinoa, or gravy.
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Asian-Inspired Noodle Soup Simmer your broth with soy sauce and ginger for a quick Asian twist on traditional noodle soup
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Grain Cooking Liquid Use the broth instead of water when cooking rice, barley or farro for extra flavor.
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Luxurious Gravy Base: Thicken leftover broth with a roux (butter and flour) to create a luscious gravy for chicken, pork chops, or meatloaf.
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Stir-Fry Sauce: Whisk in some cornstarch to transform broth into a flavorful stir-fry sauce.
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Creamy Chowder: Add potatoes, corn, and a splash of cream to turn your broth into a comforting chowder.
Repurposing the Chicken
That shredded chicken in your soup is incredibly versatile:
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Chicken Salad Sandwiches: Drain and combine the chicken with mayo, celery, onion, and pickle relish for a classic sandwich filling.
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Tacos or Quesadillas: Mix drained chicken with taco seasoning and cheese for a Mexican-inspired meal.
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Teriyaki Stir-Fry: Combine the chicken with vegetables and teriyaki sauce for a quick stir-fry.
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BBQ Pulled Chicken: Mix with barbecue sauce for easy pulled chicken sandwiches.
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Protein Boost: Add the chicken to pasta salad, green salad, rice dishes, omelets, or frittatas.
New Life for Noodles
Don’t toss those soggy noodles! Here’s how to reinvent them:
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Homemade Croutons: Toss noodles with olive oil and Italian seasoning, then roast at 400°F until crispy for unique soup toppers.
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Noodle Frittata: Mix with beaten eggs for a noodle-filled breakfast dish.
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Tuna or Chicken Salad Add-In: Incorporate into salads for extra substance.
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Pizza Topping: Sprinkle on a veggie-packed pizza before baking for a crispy, unusual topping.
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Noodle Stir-Fry: Fry with sesame oil, soy sauce, and veggies for a quick Asian-inspired dish.
Complete Transformations
These ideas use all the components of your leftover soup:
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Chicken Noodle Shepherd’s Pie: Fill a baking dish with leftover soup and top with mashed potatoes. Bake until hot and bubbly.
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Chicken Soup Enchiladas: Stuff tortillas with drained chicken, vegetables, and cheese from the soup, then cover with enchilada sauce and bake.
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Stuffed Omelet: Cook soup ingredients in a pan, then pour over beaten eggs for a hearty breakfast.
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Chicken Noodle Pot Pie: Thicken your soup slightly, pour into a pie shell, and top with biscuits, puff pastry, or a traditional pie crust. As one recipe from Bradley’s Fine Diner suggests, “Fill a pie shell with thickened soup, then top with biscuits, puff pastry or mashed potatoes.”
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Chicken Soup Quesadillas: Drain your soup, spread the solids between tortillas with cheese, and grill until golden and melty.
Preservation Tips for Leftover Soup
To extend the life of your leftover chicken noodle soup:
- Let soup cool completely before refrigerating in shallow containers for quick cooling.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days and reheat gently over medium-low heat.
- For longer storage, freeze soup for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.
- Consider freezing broth separately from noodles and veggies to prevent mushy pasta.
- Portion soup into individual servings before freezing for easy reheating.
Soup Flavor Enhancement Ideas
If your leftover soup is starting to taste bland:
- Add Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley, thyme, or dill can revive the flavor.
- Acid Boost: A squeeze of lemon juice or splash of vinegar brightens the flavor.
- Spice It Up: Red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or black pepper add a kick.
- Umami Enhancement: A dash of soy sauce, Worcestershire, or splash of wine adds depth.
FAQ: Common Questions About Leftover Chicken Noodle Soup
Can I freeze chicken noodle soup with noodles?
Yes, but be aware the noodles will become softer upon thawing. For best results, freeze for no longer than 2-3 months.
How long does homemade chicken noodle soup last in the fridge?
Properly stored in airtight containers, homemade chicken noodle soup lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Discard if you notice an off smell or flavor.
What’s the best way to reheat chicken noodle soup?
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. This provides the most even heating and helps preserve texture.
My soup is too salty. How can I fix it?
Add a potato chunk (remove before serving), dilute with unsalted broth or water, or add a splash of acid like lemon juice to balance the flavors.
The noodles in my leftover soup are too mushy. What can I do?
Unfortunately, you can’t restore their original texture, but you can use the soup in recipes where the noodle texture matters less, like pot pies or frittatas.
Making It Your Own
Don’t be afraid to experiment with these ideas and adapt them to your preferences. The key to successfully transforming leftover chicken noodle soup is thinking of it not as leftovers but as pre-prepped ingredients!
As Living the Gourmet notes, “A delicious use for leftover chicken” is one of the main reasons to love this approach. “Chicken sandwiches and salads are great, but sometimes you want to make a truly delicious and satisfying ‘second meal’ out of that leftover chicken.”
I’ve found that keeping a running list of these ideas on my fridge helps me remember the possibilities when I’m staring at that container of leftover soup. And honestly, some of these transformed dishes have become family favorites that we actually look forward to more than the original soup!
Final Thoughts
Leftover chicken noodle soup doesn’t have to be a culinary dead end. With these creative ideas, you can breathe new life into your leftovers and enjoy delicious, varied meals throughout the week.
So next time you make a big batch of chicken noodle soup, get excited about the leftovers! They’re not just tomorrow’s lunch—they’re the foundation for your next culinary adventure.
What’s your favorite way to use up leftover chicken noodle soup? I’d love to hear your creative ideas in the comments below!
Leftover Chicken & Vegetable Orzo Soup Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking the vegetables over medium heat in olive oil allows them to simmer gently, ensuring they become tender without losing their texture, as described in the recipe card below.
Yes, substituting water with chicken broth, especially homemade chicken stock, can enhance the overall flavor of the soup. You can also use bone broth if preferred.
A large soup pot or Dutch oven is ideal for accommodating the volume of ingredients and allowing for even cooking.
Cooking the Orzo separately and adding it to the soup when serving helps maintain the pastas al dente texture. I do not recommend simmering the noodles in the soup for any length of time, as this will result in overcooked pasta. Instead, portion the pasta out with the soup.
Yes, you can use cooked chicken breasts, but using leftover roast chicken with its jelly adds a unique and flavorful element to the soup, and helps texture the broth.
Freshly chopped parsley or other fresh herbs can be added before serving for a burst of freshness and color.
While the recipe traditionally simmers on the stove, adapting it for an Instant Pot is a great way to expedite the cooking process. So, yes, feel free to adapt this recipe to your instant pot.
This recipe features Orzo pasta instead of traditional noodles, giving the soup a unique twist while maintaining the comforting elements of a classic chicken noodle soup.
Using a whole chicken or chicken carcass when making homemade stock provides a richer and more flavorful base for the soup.
Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, herbs, or other types of meat.
More Delicious Soups from Living the Gourmet
- Spinach and Meatball Soup. One of my favorite soup recipes ever. The meatballs give the broth a ‘thick’ texture and ‘meaty’ flavor, while the veggies and herbs keep the sound grounded. I really can’t recommend this one enough.
- Roasted Gazpacho. A‘very’ kicked up Gazpacho, with grilled peppers, sliced jalapenos, and plenty of herbs and garlic. The end result is a gazpacho that’s earthy and smoky, courtesy of the charred peppers, and just a tad spicy, but also cooling and refreshing, courtesy of the mixed herbs.
- Spicy Sweet Potato and Chicken Soup. Another sweet potato favorite, but this one is pleasantly spicy, featuring jalapenos and red pepper, with earthy tones like carrots and onions, and herbal notes such as oregano and garlic. All of this comes together beautifully to create a seasonal collage of flavors perfect for grey winter days or chilled nights.
