Description
This comforting Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup features tender shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful ramen noodles simmered in a savory broth infused with garlic, lemon, and fish sauce. Perfect for a quick and hearty meal that yields six generous servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped
Seasonings & Spices
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, depending on spice level)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
Liquids & Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (or juice of half a lemon)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 packs (2 x 3 ounces) ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded
- 2 cups pre-cooked chicken, shredded
Optional Garnishes
- Soft boiled eggs
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat to create a flavorful foundation for the soup.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the sliced carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, and sliced mushrooms to the pan. Season with garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, pepper, and allspice. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and aromatic.
- Add broth and chicken: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth along with the shredded pre-cooked chicken. Stir in the lemon juice and fish sauce to deepen the flavor profile. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil to combine all flavors.
- Cook the noodles and finish the soup: Add the ramen noodles and chopped spinach to the boiling broth. Cook until the noodles are tender and the spinach has wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with soft boiled eggs, sesame seeds, scallions, and cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Discard the seasoning packets from the ramen noodles to avoid excess salt and artificial flavors.
- Cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted based on your preferred spice level.
- Using pre-cooked chicken speeds up preparation; leftover rotisserie chicken works well.
- Soft boiled eggs add richness and texture but can be omitted for a lighter soup.
- Fish sauce adds umami; substitute with soy sauce if unavailable, noting flavor differences.
