Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup

This Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup is made with chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, wide egg noodles as well as lemon juice.

Panera Bread's Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic comfort food that has been a fan favorite for many years. While the exact recipe for the soup is a closely guarded secret, it is known that the soup is made with high-quality ingredients, including antibiotic-free chicken, fresh vegetables, and egg noodles.

According to Panera Bread's website, the soup is made fresh every day and is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, and flavors. The soup is also low in fat and calories, making it a healthier option than many other soups.The soup is filled with tender pieces of chicken, carrots, celery, and egg noodles, which are cooked to perfection in the flavorful broth.

If you like these noodles, feel free to try my Pork Birria Tacos and my Peruvian Ceviche.

Jump to:

• Why you will love this recipe
• Ingredients
• How to make Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup
• How to cook Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup on stove top
• Substitutions
• Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• How to store Chicken Noodle Soup
• Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup Top tips
• Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup
• Food safety

Why you will love this recipe

• Flavor: Panera Bread's chicken soup is known for its rich and savory flavor, which comes from a combination of ingredients like chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices. A copycat recipe that successfully replicates these flavors can be just as delicious as the original.
• Comfort food: Chicken soup is a classic comfort food that many people turn to when they want something warm and soothing. Panera Bread's chicken soup has a reputation for being especially comforting, which can make a copycat version feel just as satisfying.
• Familiarity: Many people have a personal connection to Panera Bread's chicken soup and may have fond memories of enjoying it with family and friends. A copycat recipe can tap into this nostalgia and provide a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Chicken breasts
• Vegetable oil
• Carrots
• Celery
• Onion
• Garlic
• Thyme
• Chicken broth
• wide egg noodles
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

See recipe card for Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup quantities.

How to make Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup

How to cook Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup on stove top

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Stir In the carrots, celery and onions and sauté until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken, chicken broth and thyme into the pot. Bring the broth to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and shred. Return the shredded chicken as well as the noodles and lemon juice, until the noodles are cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.

Substitutions

• Chicken: This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts which is easier to shred.
• Broth: I used chicken broth, although you could vegetable broth if you don’t happen to have chicken broth.
• Vegetables: The most traditional vegetables to use for chicken noodle soup are onions, celery, and carrots.
• Garlic: For best quality, use fresh garlic for this recipe.
• Thyme: Panera’s chicken noodle soup has thyme in the recipe, and gives it such a comforting taste.
•  Noodles: Wide egg noodles is traditionally used for chicken noodle soup. Check the package instructions to know how long it needs to cook!

Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Variations

• Creamy chicken noodle soup: Add a creamy element to your soup by stirring in a cup of heavy cream or half-and-half. This will give your soup a rich and velvety texture.
• Lemon chicken noodle soup: Brighten up your soup with the addition of fresh lemon juice and zest. This will add a tangy and refreshing flavor to your soup.
• Spicy chicken noodle soup: Add some heat to your soup by stirring in some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeno peppers. This will give your soup a spicy kick.
• Chicken and vegetable noodle soup: Add a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, celery, onions, and mushrooms, to your soup. This will give your soup more texture and flavor.
• Chicken and dumplings soup: Add small dumplings made from flour and eggs to your soup. This will give your soup a more hearty and filling texture.
• Thai chicken noodle soup: Add coconut milk, curry paste, and fish sauce to your soup. This will give your soup a Thai-inspired flavor.
• Italian chicken noodle soup: Add Italian herbs, such as basil, oregano, and thyme, to your soup. This will give your soup an Italian-inspired flavor.

Check out this Air Fried Bok Choy.

Equipment

• Instant Pot: The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that is perfect for making soups quickly and easily.
• Cutting board and knife: You will need a cutting board and knife to chop the vegetables and chicken.
• Measuring cups and spoons: You will need measuring cups and spoons to measure out the ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: A wooden spoon is useful for stirring the soup and preventing scratches on the Instant Pot's non-stick surface.
• Ladle: A ladle is useful for serving the soup.
• Trivet: A trivet can be used to elevate the chicken and vegetables above the liquid in the Instant Pot, which helps to prevent them from getting too soggy.
• Tongs: Tongs can be used to remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and shred it.

How to store Chicken Noodle Soup

1. Let the soup cool to room temperature: It's important to let the soup cool down before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
2. Transfer the soup to an airtight container: Pour the soup into an airtight container, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion. Use a container that is appropriate for the amount of soup you are storing.
3. Label the container: Label the container with the date and contents of the soup. This will help you keep track of how long the soup has been stored.
4. Store in the refrigerator or freezer: If you plan to eat the soup within a few days, store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3-4 days. If you plan to store the soup for longer than that, store it in the freezer. It will keep for up to 3 months.
5. Reheat the soup: When you're ready to eat the soup, remove it from the refrigerator or freezer and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until it's heated through.

Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup Top tips

• Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of the soup depends heavily on the quality of the ingredients you use. Use fresh, high-quality vegetables and chicken for the best flavor.
• Sauté the vegetables: Sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the soup can help to enhance their flavor and texture. This step can be done easily in the Instant Pot using the sauté function.
• Use chicken broth: Using chicken broth instead of water can add a lot of flavor to the soup. You can use homemade chicken broth or store-bought.
• Season well: Don't be shy with the seasoning. Use plenty of salt and pepper, and consider adding other herbs and spices such as thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves to add flavor.
• Add noodles at the end: Add the noodles to the soup during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.
• Shred the chicken: Shred the chicken into small pieces before adding it back to the soup. This will make the chicken more tender and easier to eat.
• Let the soup rest: After cooking, let the soup rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This can help to enhance the flavor of the soup.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.