If you’ve been mourning the closure of Souplantation and craving that iconic, soul-warming chicken noodle soup, you’re in the right place.
This souplantation chicken noodle soup copycat recipe brings back those beloved flavors with a surprisingly simple technique that focuses on what made the original so addictive: intense chicken bouillon flavor, generous black pepper, and buttery richness.
Unlike traditional homemade versions loaded with vegetables, this souplantation chicken noodle soup recipe keeps things beautifully uncomplicated, letting the savory broth and tender noodles shine.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering this comfort food classic for the first time, you’ll have a steaming pot of nostalgia ready in about an hour.
What Does Souplantation Chicken Noodle Soup Taste Like?
The copycat souplantation chicken noodle soup delivers a flavor experience that’s distinctly different from grandma’s version. Expect an intensely savory, almost golden-hued broth that’s rich with concentrated chicken bouillon-much bolder than typical homemade soups.
The buttery undertone adds silky smoothness, while generous fresh black pepper provides a gentle warming kick that tingles on your palate.
Unlike vegetable-forward chicken soups, this version spotlights the pure, unadulterated chicken-and-noodle comfort with tender, shredded chicken and soft egg noodles swimming in that signature peppery, buttery broth that tastes like a warm hug from your favorite buffet.
Souplantation Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients (Serves 8-10 cups):
- 2¼–3 lb whole chicken (or chicken pieces like thighs and breasts)
- 5½ cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred for better control)
- 30 grams chicken bouillon powder (~2–3 tablespoons granules-this is the secret!)
- ½ teaspoon butter (adds that signature richness)
- Fresh ground black pepper (generous amount to taste)
- 2½ cups dried egg noodles (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: Coarsely chopped onion, carrots, celery (minimal, as original kept it simple)
Kitchen Utensils:
- Large stockpot or Dutch oven (6-8 quart capacity)
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Two forks for shredding chicken
- Ladle for serving
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-70 minutes
- Total Time: 65-80 minutes
- Servings: 8-10 cups (approximately 4-6 hearty servings)
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Step-by-Step Souplantation Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Pour 5½ cups of chicken broth into your large stockpot and place over high heat. Bring the broth to a rolling boil-this should take about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2: Once boiling, carefully add your whole chicken (or chicken pieces) to the pot. Immediately stir in the chicken bouillon powder, butter, and a generous grinding of fresh black pepper (start with ½ teaspoon, you can add more later).
Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to prevent overflow. Simmer for 45-60 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Step 4: Using tongs or a slotted spoon, carefully remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to a cutting board. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes until safe to handle.
Step 5: While the chicken cools, keep the broth simmering on low heat. Once the chicken is cool enough, use two forks or your hands to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bones, skin, and any cartilage.
Step 6: Return all the shredded chicken to the pot with the simmering broth. Stir well to combine and let it heat through for 2-3 minutes.
Step 7: Add the egg noodles to the pot and increase heat to medium. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or according to package directions until noodles are tender but not mushy.
Step 8: Taste and adjust seasoning-add more black pepper or a pinch more bouillon if you want that extra punch. The soup should be boldly flavored and aromatic.
Step 9: Ladle the hot souplantation chicken noodle soup into bowls and serve immediately while steaming hot.
Customization and Pairing Ideas for Serving
1. Classic Vegetable Addition: While the original Souplantation version kept vegetables minimal, you can add 1 cup each of diced carrots, celery, and onion in Step 2 for a more traditional chicken noodle experience. Sauté them first in the pot with a bit of butter for deeper flavor before adding the broth.
2. Herb-Infused Variation: Elevate your copycat souplantation chicken noodle soup by adding fresh herbs during the simmering process. Tie together 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme and parsley with kitchen twine, simmer with the chicken, then remove before serving. Fresh dill stirred in at the end adds a delightful brightness.
3. Creamy Comfort Version: For a richer twist, stir in ½ cup of heavy cream or half-and-half after the noodles are cooked. This creates a luscious, bisque-like texture while maintaining that signature peppery flavor profile.
4. Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Skip the long simmering by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply bring the broth, bouillon, butter, and pepper to a boil, add shredded rotisserie chicken meat, then proceed with the noodles. Total time drops to just 20 minutes!
5. Perfect Bread Pairings: Serve your souplantation chicken noodle soup noodle recipe alongside crusty sourdough bread, garlic breadsticks, or those iconic blueberry muffins that Souplantation was famous for. The bread is perfect for soaking up every drop of that buttery, peppery broth.
6. Noodle Alternatives: Experiment with different pasta shapes-try wide egg noodles for extra heartiness, orzo for a delicate texture, or even gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary needs. Rice noodles create an Asian-inspired fusion that’s surprisingly delicious.
7. Garnish Game: Top individual bowls with fresh chopped parsley, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, an extra crack of black pepper, or even crispy fried onions for textural contrast. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the entire bowl beautifully.
Expert Tips for Perfect Results
Tip 1 – Bouillon is Non-Negotiable: The secret to authentic souplantation chicken noodle soup flavor is that generous amount of chicken bouillon powder. Don’t skip it or reduce it-this concentrated seasoning creates that unmistakable restaurant-quality depth. Use quality brands like Better Than Bouillon or Knorr for best results.
Tip 2 – Low-Sodium Broth Balance: Since you’re adding significant bouillon (which is salty), always start with low-sodium chicken broth. This gives you complete control over the final saltiness. If you only have regular broth, reduce the bouillon to 1½-2 tablespoons and taste before adding more.
Tip 3 – Don’t Overcook the Noodles: For the best texture in your copycat souplantation chicken noodle soup, add noodles during the last 8-10 minutes of cooking and monitor them closely. Overcooked noodles become mushy and absorb too much broth. If making ahead, cook noodles separately and add to individual portions when reheating.
Tip 4 – Chicken Selection Matters: Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces create the richest broth flavor. Chicken thighs stay more tender than breasts during long simmering. If using a whole chicken, the mixed dark and white meat provides the best texture variety. Remove skin before shredding to control fat content.
Tip 5 – Pepper Freshness: Freshly ground black pepper makes a tremendous difference in this recipe since pepper is a starring flavor. Pre-ground pepper from a jar loses its aromatic oils and provides less impact. Invest in a pepper mill and grind liberally-the soup should have visible pepper flecks throughout.
Tip 6 – Shredding Technique: For authentic texture, shred chicken into irregular, bite-sized pieces rather than dicing uniformly. The varied sizes mimic the original Souplantation style and ensure some pieces are more tender while others provide satisfying chew. Shred along the natural grain of the meat.
Tip 7 – Make-Ahead Strategy: This souplantation chicken noodle soup recipe actually improves in flavor overnight as seasonings meld. However, store the cooked noodles separately from the broth and chicken. When reheating, warm the broth mixture, then add noodles for the last few minutes. This prevents the soggy noodle problem that plagues most leftover chicken noodle soups.
Storage and Reheating Guidance
Store cooled soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, store noodles separately from broth. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until steaming, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Common Queries and FAQs
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken?
A: Absolutely! Use 2-2½ pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts or thighs. Boneless works too but won’t create as rich a broth. Adjust cooking time to 30-40 minutes for boneless pieces.
Q: Why does my copycat version taste different from the original?
A: The most common issue is insufficient bouillon or not enough black pepper. Souplantation’s version was notably more intensely seasoned than homemade soups. Don’t be shy-taste and adjust boldly until it matches your memory.
Q: Can I freeze this souplantation chicken noodle soup?
A: Yes, but freeze the broth and chicken separately from the noodles. Frozen cooked noodles become mushy when thawed. Freeze broth mixture for up to 3 months, then cook fresh noodles when ready to serve.
Q: What if I can’t find chicken bouillon powder?
A: Use chicken bouillon cubes (crush 6-8 cubes) or Better Than Bouillon chicken base (about 3 tablespoons). In a pinch, additional concentrated chicken stock works, but the flavor won’t be quite as intense.
Q: How can I make this soup healthier?
A: Remove all chicken skin before shredding, use low-sodium broth, reduce bouillon slightly, skip the butter, and add extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or green beans for more nutrients and fiber.
Q: My soup is too salty-how do I fix it?
A: Add more unsalted chicken broth or water to dilute, then add extra noodles or shredded chicken to balance. A peeled, halved potato simmered for 15 minutes will absorb excess salt (remove before serving).
Souplantation Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2¼ –3 lb whole chicken or chicken pieces like thighs and breasts
- 5½ cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred for better control
- 30 grams chicken bouillon powder ~2–3 tablespoons granules-this is the secret!
- ½ teaspoon butter adds that signature richness
- Fresh ground black pepper generous amount to taste
- 2½ cups dried egg noodles store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Step 1: Pour 5½ cups of chicken broth into your large stockpot and place over high heat. Bring the broth to a rolling boil-this should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2: Once boiling, carefully add your whole chicken (or chicken pieces) to the pot. Immediately stir in the chicken bouillon powder, butter, and a generous grinding of fresh black pepper (start with ½ teaspoon, you can add more later).
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to prevent overflow. Simmer for 45-60 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Step 4: Using tongs or a slotted spoon, carefully remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to a cutting board. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes until safe to handle.
- Step 5: While the chicken cools, keep the broth simmering on low heat. Once the chicken is cool enough, use two forks or your hands to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bones, skin, and any cartilage.
- Step 6: Return all the shredded chicken to the pot with the simmering broth. Stir well to combine and let it heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 7: Add the egg noodles to the pot and increase heat to medium. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or according to package directions until noodles are tender but not mushy.
- Step 8: Taste and adjust seasoning-add more black pepper or a pinch more bouillon if you want that extra punch. The soup should be boldly flavored and aromatic.
- Step 9: Ladle the hot souplantation chicken noodle soup into bowls and serve immediately while steaming hot.
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Notes
This souplantation chicken noodle soup copycat recipe proves that sometimes the most memorable comfort foods are beautifully simple. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward technique, you can recreate that beloved buffet classic right in your own kitchen.
The secret lies in embracing the bold bouillon flavor and generous pepper that made the original so distinctive. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal-prepping for the week, or simply indulging in nostalgic comfort, this recipe delivers authentic taste in every spoonful.
Give it a try, adjust the seasonings to match your memories, and enjoy bringing a piece of Souplantation magic back to your table!
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