Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Introduction

Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup is a warming and flavorful dish perfect for cozy evenings. With a blend of bold spices and fresh lime, this soup delivers a satisfying kick alongside tender chicken and comforting noodles.

Ingredients

• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 to 1¼ lbs chicken breast, diced into small cubes (or substitute 14 oz canned chickpeas, drained)
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano (or 2 bay leaves)
• 1/8–1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder or cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 small can diced green chilies (optional for extra heat)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 4–6 ounces dry linguine or pasta of choice (can use rice noodles or gluten-free pasta)
• Juice of 1 lime
• Optional Add-Ins & Garnishes:
  • 1 small carrot, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced
  • Sliced avocado
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Chopped scallions
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for topping)
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often until fragrant and lightly golden.
2. Step 2: Stir in the chopped garlic and diced chicken. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to brown on all sides.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle in salt, cumin, chili powder, coriander, oregano (or bay leaves), and chipotle or cayenne pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken with spices and cook for 1 minute to bring out the flavor.
4. Step 4: Add the diced tomato, green chilies (if using), chicken broth, and water. Stir and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
5. Step 5: Once the soup is boiling, add the linguine or noodles. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and the chicken is cooked through. (Avoid adding extra pasta—it will expand as it cooks.)
6. Step 6: Squeeze fresh lime juice into the soup and taste. Add more salt or lime juice if needed to balance the flavors.
7. Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, scallions, and a small dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with canned chickpeas for protein.
• Add diced carrot, celery, and bell pepper in step 1 for extra vegetables and flavor.
• Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the chipotle powder or cayenne pepper according to preference.
• Use gluten-free pasta or rice noodles to make this soup gluten-free.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro and a squeeze of lime to brighten the flavors right before serving.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Note that noodles may absorb some broth over time, so you can add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen the soup.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use leftover cooked chicken instead of raw chicken breast?

Yes, you can add cooked chicken during the last few minutes of simmering just to warm it through. Adjust cooking times accordingly.

Is it possible to make this soup in advance?

This soup can be prepared in advance but is best enjoyed fresh to keep the noodles from becoming too soft. If storing, cook the noodles separately and add them to individual portions when serving.

Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 106 reviews

A vibrant and comforting Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup featuring tender chicken, aromatic spices, and zesty lime, perfect for a warming meal with customizable garnishes and a moderate heat level.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
• Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 to 1¼ lbs chicken breast, diced into small cubes (or substitute 14 oz canned chickpeas, drained)
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano (or 2 bay leaves)
• 1/8–1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder or cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 small can diced green chilies (optional for extra heat)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 4–6 ounces dry linguine or pasta of choice (can use rice noodles or gluten-free pasta)
• Juice of 1 lime

Optional Add-Ins & Garnishes

• 1 small carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 small bell pepper, diced
• Sliced avocado
• Fresh cilantro leaves
• Chopped scallions
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for topping)
• Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often until fragrant and lightly golden.
2. Add Chicken and Garlic: Stir in the chopped garlic and diced chicken. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to brown on all sides.
3. Season the Soup: Sprinkle in salt, cumin, chili powder, coriander, oregano (or bay leaves), and chipotle or cayenne pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken with spices and cook for 1 minute to bring out the flavor.
4. Build the Broth: Add the diced tomato, green chilies (if using), chicken broth, and water. Stir and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
5. Cook the Noodles: Once the soup is boiling, add the linguine or noodles. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and the chicken is cooked through. (Avoid adding extra pasta—it will expand as it cooks.)
6. Finish with Lime: Squeeze fresh lime juice into the soup and taste. Add more salt or lime juice if needed to balance the flavors.
7. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, scallions, and a small dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

• Substitute chicken with canned chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
• Adjust chipotle powder or cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
• Optional vegetables such as carrot, celery, and bell pepper can be added for extra nutrition and flavor.
• Use gluten-free pasta or rice noodles to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Add garnishes like sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance spiciness and add creaminess.
• Do not add extra pasta beyond the stated amount as it will expand during cooking.
• Using fresh lime juice at the end brightens the soup and enhances all flavors.

Keywords: Spicy chicken soup, chicken noodle soup, easy soup recipe, Mexican soup, weeknight dinner, spicy soup, homemade chicken soup