Chick Fil A Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

There’s something so soothing about a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup, especially when it’s modeled after the famous Chick Fil A chicken noodle soup. This copycat recipe is all about comfort in one pot, coming together quickly with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth that hugs you from the inside out.

I’ve laid out everything you need right here: from a simple ingredient list to clear, step-by-step directions with photos that make the process easy to follow. I’ll also share some handy tips to get the perfect texture, plus ideas for swapping ingredients, prepping ahead, and storing leftovers. And don’t worry, I cover all your common questions too—like which noodles work best and how to make the soup with pantry staples or on a tight schedule.

Whether you’re feeding hungry kids, wanting a nourishing meal while feeling sick, or just craving a classic comfort food, this recipe is straightforward, flexible, and ready in less than an hour. Keep reading for all the details to make it your go-to soup.

What Makes It So Comforting

This Chick Fil A chicken noodle soup nails classic comfort without any hassle. It’s a one-pot wonder that comes together fast with simple pantry staples, giving you tender chicken, wholesome veggies, and a savory broth you’ll love. For a similarly soothing bowl with a citrusy twist, try Greek lemon chicken soup (avgolemono).

• Fast & fuss-free: minimal chopping and easy steps make this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want a quick meal.
• Comfort food at its finest: packed with protein, vegetables, and a warm broth that feels healing and satisfying, especially if you’re feeling under the weather—try Hearty Chicken Veggie Soup for another cozy, nutrient-packed option.
• Kid and family approved: mild, familiar flavors with pasta your whole crew will happily eat.
• Flexible & make-ahead friendly: store noodles separately to keep them from getting soggy, and this soup freezes like a dream for easy weeknight meals later on.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• raw chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
• noodles (mafalda corta or any short pasta such as egg noodles, macaroni, rotini)
• carrots
• celery
• onion (red, white, yellow, or sweet)
• minced garlic (or garlic powder)
• olive oil
• chicken broth or stock (low-sodium)
• salt
• black pepper
• chicken bouillon cubes (2 to 3) (optional substitute for broth)

Step-by-Step Cooking Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic; cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and become fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Pour chicken broth into the pot and stir to combine.
4. Place raw chicken breasts into the simmering broth and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Cover the pot, bring the soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently, covered, for 30 minutes.

6. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks.

   

7. Bring the soup back to a boil.
8. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
9. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
10. Taste the soup and adjust salt and black pepper as needed.

Cooking Tips and Serving Ideas

This copycat Chick Fil A chicken noodle soup is definitely a favorite in my kitchen! Here are some tips and serving ideas to help you make it just right and enjoy every bite.

• Cut veggies evenly: Make sure your carrots and celery pieces are about the same size so they cook evenly at the same rate.
• Adjust the soup’s texture: Like it chunkier? Add extra chicken and noodles. Prefer more broth? Add a bit more chicken broth. This recipe aims to mimic the original Chick Fil A chicken noodle soup texture, but feel free to tweak!
• Keep it at a gentle simmer: Boiling chicken can make it tough. After adding the chicken, maintain a low simmer for tender, juicy meat.
• Taste as you go: Don’t forget to taste the soup when it’s done cooking. You can bump up salt, pepper, garlic, or even fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or oregano to match your flavor preference. If you love a brighter, lemony profile, try Avgolemono — Greek Lemon Chicken Soup for inspiration.
• Make ahead like a pro: Planning ahead? Cook and store noodles separately to avoid sogginess. Toss them with a little olive oil, store in an airtight container in the fridge, and add them to reheated soup at serving time.

• Garnish beautifully: Ladle hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with freshly cracked pepper and some chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish.

• Perfect pairings: Serve your soup with classic Saltine crackers—just like Chick Fil A—or your favorite crusty bread or soft biscuits. Garlic bread or Italian cheese bread are also delicious companions to this soup, or pair it with a Southwest Chicken Wrap for a cozy soup-and-sandwich meal.

Easy Swaps and Add-Ins

If you want to tweak this Chick Fil A chicken noodle soup recipe based on what you have or your preferences, here are some easy swaps and extras.

• Protein options: Use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken instead of raw breasts to skip a step. Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks will add a richer flavor to the broth — just remove the bones before serving.
• Noodle & grain alternatives: While mafalda corta matches the Chick Fil A style, egg noodles, rotini, macaroni, pappardelle, or orzo all work well (for an example, see the chicken sausage and broccoli orzo recipe). For gluten-free diets, try gluten-free pasta or even rice.
• Veggie upgrades: Towards the end of cooking, toss in peas, corn, broccoli florets, or diced bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
• Flavor boosters: Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, thyme, or oregano add great flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the broth wonderfully. If you like heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Creamier version: For a richer soup, stir in a little heavy cream or half-and-half at the end. This changes the traditional broth but makes it silky and indulgent.
• Pantry-friendly & dietary switches: Use bouillon paste or cubes if you don’t have broth on hand. To make it vegetarian or vegan, swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and use chickpeas or firm tofu instead of chicken.
• Fat choices: Sauté your veggies in butter for a more decadent flavor or choose avocado or canola oil if preferred.

Storing and Reheating Tips

How to store Chick Fil A chicken noodle soup

Leftover chicken noodle soup is basically magic for quick meals later. Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and plan to eat them within 4 to 6 days for best flavor and safety.

Reheat Chick Fil A soup

The microwave is great for reheating individual bowls quickly, but my preferred method is warming it gently on the stove. Heat over medium, stirring often until it’s steaming and ready.

Keep in mind that pasta soaks up broth as it sits. If your soup gets too thick, just add a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up to your favorite soup consistency.

Freeze Chick Fil A chicken soup

Got extra? Let the soup cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months and enjoy later when you need a quick, comforting meal.

Cook frozen Chick Fil A noodle soup recipe

To reheat from frozen, thaw the soup overnight in the fridge or leave it on the counter for a couple of hours to speed things up.

You can also put the mostly frozen soup right in a pot and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until fully thawed and hot.

Answers to Common Questions

What is the best chicken for this Chick Fil A soup?

Chick Fil A uses leftover grilled chicken from their famous chicken sandwiches in their soup. You can totally do the same if you have grilled chicken around. I usually go with raw chicken breast, though, since leftover grilled chicken isn’t common in my house.

Can you make chicken soup with raw chicken?

Yes! This recipe calls for cooking the raw chicken right in the soup. After simmering for about 30 minutes, the chicken becomes tender and juicy, perfect for shredding and mixing back in.

What are the best noodles for Chick Fil A noodle soup?

The original Chick Fil A soup features mafalda corta, a curly pasta with ruffled edges that holds broth well — better than flat egg noodles. It’s sometimes called mini lasagna pasta. If you can find it, you’re in luck! If not, don’t worry—almost any short pasta works here, including tortellini, ravioli, rice, wide egg noodles, spirals, pappardelle, rotini, butterfly pasta, or macaroni.

What vegetables are in this Chick Fil A soup?

While Chick Fil A’s official ingredient list only mentions carrots, I like to use the classic mirepoix trio of carrots, celery, and onion. This combo builds a great flavor base. Of course, you can add your favorites like peas, corn, broccoli, or bell peppers too.

Is Chick-fil-a chicken noodle soup healthy?

Yes! This soup has a good balance of protein, veggies, and carbs to fuel your body. Plus, the salt in the broth helps keep you hydrated and balances electrolytes, which is especially nice when you’re feeling under the weather.

What are the Chick Fil A chicken noodle soup calories?

This recipe yields about 6 to 8 servings. Each serving has roughly 355 calories, with 12 grams of total fat (3 grams saturated, 8 grams unsaturated), 44 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbs, 3 grams of sugar, and 1594 milligrams of sodium.