Description
A comforting and nutritious high-protein chicken noodle soup made with bone-in chicken, fresh vegetables, high-protein pasta shells, and fragrant herbs. This wholesome soup is simmered to tender perfection and served with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters or breasts
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled, thinly sliced
- 10 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 qt. low-sodium chicken bone broth
- 4 thyme sprigs
- Kosher salt, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz. high-protein pasta shells (such as Banza)
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Finely chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Combine ingredients and simmer: In a large (5- to 6-quart) pot, bring the chicken, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, chicken bone broth, and thyme sprigs to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer briskly, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until the liquid slightly reduces.
- Cook chicken until tender: Lower the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes more, until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it cool slightly.
- Shred the chicken: Using two forks, shred the chicken meat, discarding the bones. Return the shredded chicken to the simmering broth.
- Cook the pasta: In a separate large pot of boiling salted water, cook the high-protein pasta shells according to package instructions until just al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta well.
- Assemble and serve: Divide the drained pasta among serving bowls. Ladle the hot soup with shredded chicken and vegetables over the pasta. Garnish generously with finely grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley leaves. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Using bone-in chicken adds more flavor and richness to the broth.
- Low-sodium broth helps control the salt content; adjust seasoning after tasting.
- High-protein pasta such as chickpea-based (e.g. Banza) boosts the nutritional value.
- This soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free high-protein pasta shells.
- Leftover soup can be refreshed by reheating gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken noodle soup, high-protein soup, healthy chicken soup, bone broth soup, homemade chicken noodle soup, high-protein pasta soup
