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Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Mini Croutons Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 111 reviews

A comforting and creamy chicken noodle soup featuring tender chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and angel hair pasta, enhanced with crispy bacon and crunchy homemade mini croutons for added texture and flavor. This soup is perfect for a cozy meal that’s hearty yet wholesome.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 400g/10oz chicken breast (2 small, cut in half horizontally to form 2 thin steaks; boneless thighs can be substituted)
  • 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
  • 1/4 tbsp black pepper

Bacon and Croutons

  • 4 strips streaky bacon (enough to cover base of pot)
  • 1 cup bread (crustless, cut into 7mm / 1/4″ cubes – sourdough type preferred for crunchier texture, sandwich bread also works)
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • Pinch cooking salt / kosher salt

Soup Base and Vegetables

  • 30g/2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 sprigs thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped (~0.5 x 1.2 cm / 1/5 x 1/2″ pieces)
  • 1 carrot, chopped (0.5 x 1 cm / 1/5 x 1/2″ pieces)
  • 3/4 cup corn kernels (frozen thawed or canned drained)
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 3 cups milk (full fat preferred, low fat or non-dairy acceptable)
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken stock/broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp cooking salt
  • 1 1/3 cups (100g) broken angel hair pasta (or broken spaghetti/small spoon-able pasta)
  • 3/4 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 tsp finely chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Croutons & Crispy Bacon: Preheat the oven to 180°C/345°F (160°C fan-forced). Toss the bread cubes with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking tray and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crisp. Let cool on the tray and set aside. Meanwhile, place the bacon strips in a cold large pot in a single layer. Turn heat to medium-high and cook bacon until golden and crispy on both sides (about 2-3 minutes on the first side and 1 1/2 minutes on the second). Remove bacon and drain on paper towels; finely chop and set aside for garnish.
  2. Season Chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tbsp black pepper evenly.
  3. Cook Chicken: In the same pot with bacon fat heated, cook chicken steaks for 1 1/2 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove chicken to a plate and once cooled, chop into roughly 8 mm (1/3 inch) cubes.
  4. Prepare Soup Base: Lower heat to medium-high. Melt unsalted butter in the pot. Add diced onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, carrot, and thyme sprigs. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the carrots soften, stirring regularly and ensuring onions do not brown.
  5. Add Flour and Liquids: Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to remove raw taste. While stirring continuously, slowly pour in the milk to create a smooth sauce. Then add chicken stock, water, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
  6. Simmer Soup: Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The soup will seem thin at this stage but will thicken once pasta is added and cooked.
  7. Cook Pasta and Vegetables: Turn heat back to high and add broken angel hair pasta and corn kernels. Cook for about 5 minutes or until pasta is al dente. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add frozen peas and the cooked chicken cubes along with any accumulated juices to warm through.
  8. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, then sprinkle with chopped crispy bacon, homemade croutons, and a pinch of chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy chicken noodle soup with mini croutons!

Notes

  • Using streaky bacon fat adds depth of flavor to the soup base.
  • Full-fat milk creates a richer broth, but low-fat or non-dairy milk alternatives work fine for lighter versions.
  • Angel hair pasta or broken spaghetti work best for easy spooning and quicker cooking.
  • Croutons can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Adjust salt to taste, especially if using salted broth or bacon.

Keywords: chicken noodle soup, creamy soup, homemade croutons, bacon, easy soup recipe, angel hair pasta soup, comforting soup

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/creamy-chicken-noodle-soup-with-mini-croutons-recipe/