Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

by Shelley · May contain affiliate links

Published • Updated April 18, 2022

~ This quick and easy Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup has plenty of shortcuts and make-ahead options, and it’s freezable, too! So hearty and comforting – just what we all need on a cold day … or when the sniffles unexpectedly strike! (Originally published as Quick & Easy Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken.) ~

Pinnable photo with a text overlay of the recipe name, and a closeup of one bowl of chicken noodle soup in the forground, with sliced bread and another bowl of soup in the background.

This Recipe Is:     Ready in 30 Minutes or Less    Freezable    Make Ahead  

Hero shot of this Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, with one bowl full in the foreground, and another in the background, with slices of grainy bread and a spoon visible to the sides.

Quick, easy chicken noodle soup. Totally what we all need this time of year, as the snowflakes swirl in bitter arctic gusts, and sniffles and coughs blaze a rampaging course through every school and office (heading straight for you).

Yes. This soup is warm, simple, comfort.

And it’s lickety-split quick. 

Overhead closeup of half of a white soup bowl full of the Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, so you can really see the individual ingredients like carrots, chicken, noodles, etc.

Why I Make (and Love!) This Shortcut Soup

I have this image of my idealized self, where I have a big pot of warm-your-soul soup burbling away, as I use Florence Nightingale-type healing powers to care for my poor, dear, sick family whenever colds may strike.

Sure. Nice try, idealized self.

I don’t know about you, but when the school nurse calls to tell me I need to pick up a sick kiddo, I generally haven’t planned ahead to fire up a long-simmering chicken noodle soup.

My real-world self dashes past the grocery store on the way to the school, nabbing cold medicines that we apparently ran out of (but no one bothered to add to my shopping list), along with the ingredients to throw this shortcut Rotisserie Chicken Soup together in the few minutes I’ll have back at home (before the nurse inevitably calls again to tell me kid #2 just succumbed).

When we need chicken noodle soup, we need it NOW. My real-world self knows this.

One bowl filled with this soup recipe, with a spoon dipped into it and crackers and pretty, raw carrots in the background.

But the little idealized self lurking inside me wants it to be lovingly homemade, not that gloppy processed-tasting stuff that dumps from a can.

This version of delicious shortcut chicken noodle soup is where the two “me’s” meet … real-world-quick-and-easy meets idealized-self-homemade.

I feel like a parenting hero (inwardly patting myself on the back – mom saves the day in the face of virus-induced doom), and I chalk up a win for the day.

Which is awesome, because I know by tomorrow, I’ll be personally enjoying the cold my kids just dragged home to me. Yay. Lucky I made a big batch of this chicken soup!

So let me give you the low-down on some little tricks and tips here … and you can be a family hero, too!

The Right Noodle for Chicken Soup

Although many homemade chicken noodle soup recipes are made with squiggly egg noodles, we prefer using a more bite-sized, small pasta shape like elbows. Entirely up to you – use whatever pasta shape you prefer. There’s really no right answer!

Ingredients for this rotisserie chicken noodle soup (whole carrots and celery, uncooked noodles, rotisserie chicken, etc.) before being chopped.

We definitely do recommend, though, that you choose a 100% whole-grain pasta for the boost in nutrition and fiber.

The Perfect Broth for This Rotisserie Chicken Soup

My idealized self not only imagines long-simmering soups … ideal me also lovingly makes my own homemade chicken broth, carefully freezing it as the perfect base for my soup and casserole recipes.

Buuuuuutttttt … until real-world me finds the time for truly from-scratch, homemade, I feel totally ok about purchasing store-bought broth, as long as it’s the healthiest I can find.

A 2-cup glass measuring cup full of chicken broth, with other ingredients in the background, ready to make this easy chicken noodle soup.

I almost always use fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth, adjusting the salt at the end of cooking as needed. In fact, if you’re interested in the “why’s” behind our recipe creation, I actually wrote an entire post about the difference between reduced-sodium broth and “regular” (and why we think you should use low-sodium broth in most recipes). There’s actually more to it than you’d probably guess! Anyway

For this Rotisserie Chicken Soup, with such simple ingredients, just the right final hit of seasoning from the salt will make all the difference in taking this soup from good to fantastic. But the exact right amount can vary based on your family’s tastes, and also on the brand of broth you choose – reduced-sodium broths can vary pretty significantly in the amount of salt they contain.

So, as I direct in the recipe card directions, it’s important to taste this soup at the end of cooking, and adjust the salt so the flavors truly pop.

Closeup of a black ladle full of this Rotisserie Chicken Soup, with the soup pot out of focus beneath it.

One other note on selecting chicken broth. You might be surprised that some brands include less-desirable ingredients like MSG, so be sure to read the ingredient lists.

Alternatives to Rotisserie Chicken

Do you have to make this chicken soup with rotisserie chicken?

Nope, you sure don’t.

Any cooked chicken breast should do, as long as it’s not overly seasoned with marinades or spices.

If you’re cooking chicken for another purpose anyway, you could certainly make extra so you have enough chicken for this soup, too! Easy-peasy with a little planning!

But, since cold viruses just aren’t usually kind enough to allow for convenient advanced planning, I usually find that snagging a rotisserie chicken is my best bet on short notice. When I need quick chicken noodle soup … I need it stat!

Overhead photo of a white bowl full of this rotisserie chicken soup, with whole grain crackers and a spoon alongside.

What To Do with Rotisserie Chicken Leftovers

If you do grab a rotisserie chicken for this soup, you’ll probably be left with quite a bit of dark meat and other bits of chicken that aren’t needed for this soup recipe, which calls for just 2 cups of rotisserie chicken.

So, what to do, what to do with that extra rotisserie chicken?

We’ve got lots of ideas!

We actually have an entire post with a whole list of rotisserie chicken recipes, and many of them will work perfectly well with either dark meat or white breast meat. (Mmmmm … Healthy Chicken Salad, Chicken Parmesan Wraps, Rotisserie Chicken Tacos … and so many more!)

Or, if you have a dog, we’ve got another solution! Check out our recipes for Chicken and Biscuits Homemade Dog Treats and 2-Ingredient Frozen Dog Treats! They both brilliantly use up that leftover rotisserie chicken … and trust me … your pooch will thank you!

Make-Ahead Tips (aka How to Make Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Even MORE Easy!)

Just got a bad feeling that a cold is looming (or maybe you’ve got a top-notch crystal ball)? You can prep a lot of the ingredients for this soup a day or two ahead, chopping the veggies and rotisserie chicken, and stashing them in the fridge.

Carrots on a cutting board, with one being chopped into circles the right size for using in this chicken noodle soup.

When the sniffles strike … voilà! You’re ladling out soup in moments!

That’s actually one of the best shortcut reasons to use precooked or rotisserie chicken in this recipe – you can have it chopped and waiting so your soup’s done even faster!

Added bonus: this Rotisserie Chicken Soup refrigerates and freezes really well, so you can also make it ahead to have at-the-ready. As with any noodle soup, though, the noodles will continue to soften a bit, so if you’re specifically making this ahead of time, you may choose to cook the noodles just a bit to the al dente side. Either way, though, it’s absolutely delicious!

Alrighty then … you’re armed and ready!

Whether you make this ahead and freeze it, or dash madly through the grocery store on your way to the school nurse … when winter germies come a’callin’, you’ll be the idealized-self, parent-hero of your dreams!

Overhead photo of two white, handled bowls full of this soup recipe, with spoons and slices of whole-grain bread nearby.

Like a cozy, comforting hug, this easy Chicken Noodle Soup is just what you’ll need to battle the winter chill and all the sniffles that come with it!

Stay warm out there, friends!

Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Yield: About 8 1/2 cups
Prep Time: 9 minutes
Cook Time: 21 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This Quick and Easy Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup has plenty of shortcuts and make-ahead options, and it’s freezable, too! But it's still hearty and comforting – exactly what we all need on a cold day … or when the sniffles unexpectedly strike!

  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less    Freezable  •  Make Ahead  

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup small, thinly sliced celery (from about 1-2 stalks)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion (about 1/4 of a large onion)
  • 2/3 cup small, thinly sliced (peeled) carrot (about 2 thin carrots)
  • 64 ounces fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken breast (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 4 ounces whole wheat elbow pasta (or other small shape)
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • Optional: minced fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large soup pot, heat oil briefly over medium heat. Add celery, onion, and carrots. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
  2. Add broth, chicken, and dried parsley. Cover and bring soup to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, and then increase heat to bring soup to a boil. Once boiling, add pasta and continue gently boiling (covered) until pasta is done (following time recommendation on pasta package).
  3. Taste and season with salt, as needed, so the flavors pop. (This can vary a bit depending on your brand of chicken broth, but we find approximately 3/4 teaspoon typically works well.) Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Chicken: A standard grocery store rotisserie chicken should yield about 2 cups of chopped or shredded breast meat. But, there is definite variation, and if your bird is a bit on the smaller side, you may need to also include a little dark meat to yield 2 full cups.

Make-ahead and freezing tips: You can chop the vegetables and chicken earlier in the day or the day before, covering and refrigerating vegetables and chicken separately until you're ready to make this soup. In addition, this soup rewarms well later. The noodles will soften a bit more upon standing, but are still delicious. In addition, this soup also freezes well.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205

Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.

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53 thoughts on “Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup”

  1. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe. I made it 30 minutes before this post. It went over like a complete winner. I added some minced garlic and a tad more pasta. Everyone devoured it. Joining the newsletter now:)

    Reply
    • Hi, Harold! I’m so glad to hear how much you liked this recipe! I think adding some garlic is a fantastic idea — it always kicks everything up a notch with some extra tasty flavor. Thanks for sharing! Hope you enjoy the newsletter, as well — we always try to send out content you’ll find fun and useful! 😀 ~Amy

      Reply
  2. This is my go-to Chicken Soup Recipe now. I’m kind of a ‘beginner’ (but I am old ), so I really appreciate all the tips you give in your recipes.
    I have made this 3 times now. Made it with Turkey too.
    Soooo good.
    I use Acini de Pepe (when I can find it) and also the egg noodles. I like Pearl Barley too.
    I subscribed to your email newsletter.
    Thank you for this easy recipe.

    Reply
    • Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment! Let me assure you: we were all beginners once, and even after years and years, I’ve still got a lot to figure out. Cooking really is so much fun, and I’m so glad you’re getting into it! And of course it’s never too late to start! We always try to give lots of tips in our posts to make the sure the recipes are easy to follow and turn out perfectly every time, for the beginners and the pros. I’m glad to hear that they were useful! 🙂

      I love the idea of using turkey — that’s an especially great use for all the delicious leftover bits after Thanksgiving every year! The noodle suggestions are also great! We always love to hear what our readers have done with our recipes that worked for them. Thanks so much for sharing! Hope you enjoy the newsletter and find lots more delicious adventures to try! ~Amy

      Reply
  3. I searched for an easy chicken noodle soup with rotisserie chicken when I was sick last month and I’m so glad I found this recipe! I’m not a great cook, but even I had no trouble making this and having it actually turn out right 🙂 The only change I made was to add fresh garlic because I’m a garlic fiend. I have already made the soup a second time! Thanks for the great recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • I’m so happy, Jen! The last thing you need when you’re sick is a recipe that doesn’t work! I’m so glad this recipe helped you feel a little better – and that you loved it so much you’ve already made it again! I hope you’ll find more easy recipes on our site to try, too – I’ll just bet that you’re a better cook than you think you are! 😉 ~Shelley

      Reply

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