Hearty & Healthy: The Ultimate High Protein Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Craving a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup but looking for a powerful protein boost? Look no further! This incredible high protein chicken noodle soup recipe is not just incredibly delicious, it’s also remarkably simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and cooking up in under 30 minutes. Loaded with tender chicken, hearty beans, protein-packed eggs, and wholesome shell pasta, it’s the perfect meal to nourish your body and satisfy your soul, especially on a chilly evening or when you need a quick, nutritious fix.

Soup is a culinary marvel – it’s healthy, incredibly versatile, and an excellent way to feed a crowd or use up ingredients you have on hand. It’s a dish that embodies comfort and warmth, making it a staple in many kitchens. For those who love a good bowl of soup, you might also enjoy exploring other delightful recipes like this chicken ditalini soup, a refreshing vegetable soup, or a zesty spicy chicken noodle soup. Each offers its unique flavors and textures, but this high-protein version stands out for its nutritional punch and ease of preparation.

Why This High Protein Chicken Noodle Soup Is a Must-Try

In today’s fast-paced world, finding meals that are both quick and beneficial for your health can be a challenge. This recipe ticks all the boxes. Not only is it incredibly quick to prepare – ready from start to finish in less than 30 minutes – but it also focuses on maximizing protein content, a crucial macronutrient for muscle repair, satiety, and overall well-being. The combination of chicken, cannellini beans, and eggs ensures a high-quality protein source in every spoonful, making it an ideal choice for athletes, busy professionals, or anyone looking to enhance their daily protein intake without sacrificing flavor or time.

The Power of Protein in Your Meal

Protein is essential for countless bodily functions, from building and repairing tissues to making enzymes and hormones. Incorporating enough protein into your diet can help you feel fuller for longer, manage weight, and support muscle health. This soup is specifically designed to be a protein powerhouse. By featuring lean chicken, fiber-rich cannellini beans, and easily digestible eggs, it provides a diverse amino acid profile. Choosing protein-enriched noodles further elevates the nutritional value, ensuring that each serving contributes significantly to your daily protein goals.

Ingredient Spotlight: For Optimal Flavor and Nutrition

The beauty of this soup lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in both taste and nutritional value. Understanding why these ingredients are chosen will help you appreciate the wholesome goodness of every bowl.

Chicken: Your Lean Protein Base

• I opted for the convenience of store-bought rotisserie chicken for speed, which significantly cuts down on prep time. Simply shred or dice it and add it to the pot.
• However, feel free to use raw chicken breasts or thighs. If using raw chicken, simply add it to the simmering broth, cover the pot, and cook for 18-20 minutes until thoroughly cooked through. Remove, shred or dice, and then return to the soup. This method ensures maximum flavor absorption into the chicken.

Bone Broth: The Nutrient-Dense Liquid Gold

• I highly recommend using chicken bone broth. Beyond providing a rich, savory base, bone broth is packed with collagen, amino acids, and minerals, making it incredibly beneficial for gut health, joint support, and skin vitality. It naturally contributes to the soup’s protein content and depth of flavor.
• If bone broth isn’t available, regular chicken broth works well too. You can also combine 4 cups of bone broth with 4 cups of water, or use just water and enhance it with 1 tablespoon of chicken bouillon powder for a flavorful base.

Noodles: A Protein-Packed Twist

• To keep the protein content high, I used shells made from chickpeas. These noodles not only hold their shape well but also add an extra dose of plant-based protein and fiber.
• Don’t limit yourself! Feel free to use any type of high protein noodles you prefer, such as lentil pasta, whole wheat pasta, or even egg noodles if you’re not specifically focusing on plant-based protein in your pasta. For a low-carb alternative, consider spiralized zucchini noodles (zoodles) added at the very end.

Beans: Fiber, Protein, and Creaminess

• Cannellini beans are a fantastic addition, offering a creamy texture, a good source of plant-based protein, and essential fiber. Remember to drain and rinse them thoroughly before adding.
• If cannellini beans aren’t your favorite, any white bean variety like great northern beans or navy beans would be a suitable substitute. Even kidney beans or black beans could work for a different flavor profile.

Eggs: The Ultimate Protein Booster

• Eggs are optional, but highly recommended! Each large egg contains about 6 grams of high-quality protein, adding a significant nutritional punch and a lovely richness to the soup.
• Cracked directly into the simmering soup, they poach gently, creating soft, delicate protein pockets. Make sure to space them out to prevent them from sticking together.

Aromatic Vegetables: Celery, Onion, Garlic

• Finely diced onion, sliced celery, and minced garlic form the aromatic base of this soup. They add essential flavor and a healthy dose of vitamins and antioxidants. While celery is listed as optional, it truly enhances the classic chicken noodle soup flavor profile.

Top Tips for a Perfect Pot of Soup

Achieving the perfect bowl of high protein chicken noodle soup is easy with these helpful tips:

• Kick up the Heat: For those who love a bit of a kick, add 1-2 teaspoons of Calabrian chilies or red pepper flakes along with the garlic and Italian seasoning. This will infuse a delightful warmth throughout the soup.
• Broth Customization: While I use a combination of 4 cups of bone broth and 4 cups of water, feel free to adjust this to your preference. You can use all bone broth for an even richer, more nutrient-dense soup, or all water with 1 tablespoon of chicken bouillon powder for a lighter base with added flavor.
• Veggie Power: Don’t be shy about adding more vegetables! Spinach, kale (stirred in at the end until wilted), diced carrots, peas, or corn would all be fantastic additions for extra nutrients and flavor.
• Seasoning is Key: Always taste and season with salt and pepper right before serving. Flavors can mellow during cooking, and a final seasoning ensures everything is perfectly balanced.

Serving Size: Feeding a Family or Meal Prepping

This generous recipe makes enough to serve 4-6 people, making it ideal for a family dinner, a small gathering, or for meal prepping healthy lunches throughout the week. The high protein content ensures that each serving is satisfying and fulfilling, keeping you energized.

Can I Add Spices? Absolutely!

The rotisserie chicken and bone broth I used were both incredibly flavorful, so I felt the soup didn’t need much in the way of additional spices. However, culinary creativity is always encouraged! Feel free to enhance the flavor with spices of your choice. A pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, a dash of dried thyme, or a bay leaf could all add wonderful depth. Experiment to find your perfect flavor profile!

Storage and Reheating for Delicious Leftovers

Leftovers of this high protein chicken noodle soup are just as delicious, if not more so! To store, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly for up to 2 days. For best results when reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warm, stirring occasionally. You may find the noodles absorb some of the broth, so feel free to add a splash more water or broth to achieve your desired consistency.

Pro Tip for Noodles: If you plan on making a large batch and anticipate a lot of leftovers, consider cooking the protein noodles separately and adding them to individual bowls just before serving. This prevents them from becoming too mushy or absorbing too much liquid during storage.

Tried this high protein chicken noodle soup? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Your feedback helps other home cooks discover and enjoy this fantastic recipe. And consider following me on Facebook or Pinterest for more delicious and healthy meal ideas!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can! This soup holds up well in the refrigerator for a couple of days. For best noodle texture, you might consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to each serving as you reheat, especially if you’re making a big batch.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

If you use chickpea-based protein noodles, then yes, this recipe can be entirely gluten-free. Always check the packaging of your noodles and broth to ensure they are certified gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.

What if I don’t have bone broth?

While bone broth is recommended for its nutritional benefits, regular chicken broth or stock works perfectly fine. You can also use vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor profile. If using water, remember to add 1 tablespoon of chicken bouillon powder for flavor.

Can I add other vegetables to this soup?

Absolutely! This soup is highly customizable. Diced carrots, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, or kale are all excellent additions. Add harder vegetables like carrots with the onions and celery to allow them enough time to soften. Leafy greens like spinach or kale can be stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking until wilted.

How can I make this soup even more protein-rich?

Beyond the chicken, beans, and eggs, you could stir in a scoop of unflavored collagen powder into the broth (it dissolves easily) or add more chicken. Using a higher-protein pasta (like red lentil or edamame pasta) would also boost the protein content.