Keto Chicken Noodle Soup

Keto chicken noodle soup is one of my favorite comfort food recipes to make and eat and I’m sure it will be a hit on your dinner table too. It is full of chicken, veggies, and noodles….yes noodles!

These are low carb noodles that actually make you think that you are eating traditional noodles, just without all the carbs. It is not only delicious to eat but it is also so simple, quick and easy to make.

Chicken noodle soup is an all-time favorite of so many of us, especially when we are sick. I think we have eaten Campbell’s chicken noodle soup since we were all little kids, and as we grew up we still have a fond love for chicken noodle soup. 

It is a filling and satisfying meal, and very cost-effective to feed your family. It’s full of lots of veggies, chicken, good broth, and in this case low carb noodles. 

Sipping on some is a great remedy when you have a cold and you can also make up a batch of low carb rolls or biscuits that you can find on our site to go along with your soup!!

If you liked our Keto Chicken Soup or other favorites like Keto Taco Soup, this one will be right up your alley!

Is Chicken Noodle Soup Keto-Friendly?

Normally chicken noodle soup is packed with carbs from the pasta which makes it a no-no on keto or any other low carb diet.  Most traditional pasta used for chicken noodle soup pasta has about 40 carbs per cup, and for someone who eats noodles, who only eats 1 cup, it doesn’t go far. 

Even with 40 net carbs, that’s way too many to eat on keto, more than you can eat for the whole day.

That’s what makes this special. You can enjoy it with low carb noodles, and it’s filling, and satisfying.

How Many Carbs are in Chicken Noodle Soup?

We are happy to say that our low carb chicken noodle soup is very low in carbs. You can have a big portion of 2 cups and it only has 5.8 net carbs per serving. It’s filling and will keep you within the parameters of your low carb diet plan.

What Soups Can You Eat on Keto?

You can make a lot of soups that can be eaten on keto, and our site will give you several ideas that are delicious to eat and easy to make.Focus on soups that are filled with proteins, and vegetables and you will be able to enjoy them on keto. Here are some of our favorites:

• Keto Taco Soup
• Keto Beef Stew/Soup
• Cauliflower Cheese Soup
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Keto Cheddar Broccoli Soup

How to Make Soups Low Carb

In order to make soups low carb, you need to replace the carbs with something else or omit them all together. We can share with you some of our ideas:

For instance in chicken noodle soup, you need to take out the noodles like we did and replace them with alternatives. There are many choices like zucchini noodles, Spaghetti squash noodles, and in our soup, we use shirataki noodles. ⅔ cup has only 2 net carbs!!!

If you want to make a chicken rice soup then take out the rice which is high in carbs and replace it with an alternative. We have found a product that is made from hearts of palm, which when you add it to the soup you think that you are eating rice!! ½ cup has only 2 net carbs!!!!

Another great option instead of rice is using cauliflower rice which is really easy to make yourself.

When you think of thick and creamy soups they usually are loaded with flour or cornstarch for thickening, which you can replace with other low carb thickeners. We like to use xanthan gum to thicken soups, gravies….etc. It only takes a small amount for zero net carbs. 

Usually, dairy products do not have a lot of carbs and are usually keto-approved. 

Stay away from milk for thickening, it is higher in carbs than cream and is too thin to make a soup thick without adding flour. Here are a few dairy ideas that work well and that don’t require using a whole bunch:

• Heavy Cream
• Sour Cream
• Cream Cheese

What Ingredients are in Low Carb Chicken Noodle Soup?

• Chicken – Any type of chicken will work well, but we prefer to use thighs, which are dark meat and more tender. You can either start with uncooked chicken and cook it yourself, making a nice broth as a result, or you can use previously cooked chicken and then add prepared broth from the store.
• Onions – Any type will be good, but I prefer to use Vidalia onions the most. But certainly, use any kind and especially if you get some on sale.
• Celery – This is one of the most important ingredients in chicken soup. Ust the stalks and don’t forget the leaves because they add so much more flavor to the soup.
• Carrots – Any kind of carrots will be fine in soup, whole ones, bite-sized ones, or the matchbox variety that are shredded.
• Garlic – Fresh is always the best but if you don’t have any in the house you can use chopped garlic in a jar. If you are like us we always have a jar of that in our refrigerator.
• Water – Self-explanatory.
• Salt – I use regular table salt or sea salt, in soup it doesn’t matter. Unless you have dietary restrictions on salt, it enhances the flavor in a lot of recipes like this soup.
• Pepper – Black pepper is most common. If you love things spicy then when you are making it or eating it add some crushed red pepper.
• Turmeric – An essential herb in good everyday health and this is a good way to add some added nutrients.
• Nutritional Yeast – This is also a very healthy ingredient for your soup, full of B vitamins, and used in vegan and vegetarian recipes in replacement of cheese.
• Italian Seasoning – A blend of several herbs all come together as a very tasty seasoning in soups and sauces.
• Ginger – A close relative to turmeric and is a mild spice that comes from the ginger plant or root and is a good addition to our chicken noodle soup recipe. 
• Cumin – This herb is a relative to parsley and is used in Mexican and Mediterranean dishes with a lot of vitamins and minerals too.
• Pasta Zero – These are a miracle for anyone who has to limit their carbs or who cannot eat gluten…..etc. They are made from the konjac plant and have been around in Asian cooking for many years. They are called shirataki noodles. They are easy to buy and easy to use and don’t require any cooking, just rinse and use.

Low Carb Noodle Options for Soup

There are several low carb ways to replace noodles in chicken “noodle” soup. Here are a few suggestions:

• Homemade Keto Pasta Noodles
• Zucchini Noodles or Zoodles
• Spaghetti Squash
• Pasta Zero or Miracle Noodles – Shirataki Noodles which come in several shapes

Best Types of Chicken for Soup

When you make chicken soup, you can either start with raw chicken, or a pre-cooked one you get from the supermarket. We prefer getting raw chicken and cooking it ourselves for the best results. You can use white meat, dark meat, or both depending on your preference.

If you are short on time then you can start with a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which is very tasty too.

A Good Chicken Stock is Key

When you start your soup off with raw chicken, it will make good stock as it cooks for a while. If you are using previously cooked chicken, like a store-bought rotisserie chicken, then you will have to resort to buying stock in the store, either chicken stock or chicken bone broth.

Several companies make both and are easy to find in your local grocery store.

Chicken stock is what really gives your chicken soup that rich, hearty chicken flavor and is necessary if you don’t want your broth to taste like water. 

Plus you know the old adage that chicken soup is good medicine when you are sick…well this is the reason why because the stock has old-fashioned medicinal benefits to help us get over a cold.

Different Variations & Substitutions

When making this chicken noodle soup you can vary the recipe to fit your tastes, and get creative, you can’t really go wrong by changing it a little.

Vegetable Options

There are so many vegetables that can go into chicken soup, the sky’s the limit. Carrots, celery, and onions are always the staple ones that you think of but there are many additional ones you can add. 

I like to throw leftover veggies in my soups so that they don’t sit in the refrigerator and go to waste. Here are some options:

• Green Beans
• Zucchini
• Yellow Squash
• Mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Spinach

Flavor Options

Different spices can change the flavor of your chicken noodle soup. Here are a few other ideas:

• Basil – Fresh or dried.
• Bay leaf – Just 1 or 2 is enough.
• Garlic Cloves – Fresh or in a jar.
• Parsley – Fresh or dried.
• Hot Pepper – Dried.
• Cilantro – Fresh or dried.
• Rosemary – Fresh or dried.
• Sage – Fresh or dried.

Can I Leave Out the Noodles?

Of course, if you do not want to use any type of low carb noodles, there are other options:

• Cauliflower Rice – Which can be made in a food processor from a head of cauliflower ( recipe on our site which is a guide to making cauliflower rice) or can be bought in the freezer section of the grocery store. 
• Hearts of Palm Rice – We buy a brand by Natural Haven that comes in white or brown varieties. It is a good substitute that will make you think that you are eating rice.
• Jicama – instead of potatoes
• Turnips – instead of potatoes
• Parsnips – instead of potatoes

And if you don’t want any of these options, in that case, you can just eat it with the chicken and veggies.

Cooking Methods

There are 3 cooking methods you can use to make Keto Chicken Noodle Soup:

• Stovetop – This is the most traditional way to cook soup and only requires a pot and a stove.
• Slow Cooker – Which is especially helpful when you do not have a few hours to keep stirring and checking the soup. The soup will cook itself in the crockpot. 3-4 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high.
• Instant Pot – This will work very well too especially if you need to make your dinner in a hurry. What’s nice about the instant pot is that it cooks food quickly but also comes out tender.

How to Make Keto Chicken Noodle Soup on the Stove 

Here are the easy step-by-step instructions to follow while making your chicken noodle soup on the stovetop:

STEP 1: The Spices

The first step to do is to get all of your spices and mix them together in a small bowl. Blend them well.

STEP 2: The Chicken

Get your large pot and put it on the stovetop.

Add the chicken pieces and cover them with the water and spices. Put the pot on the stove on medium heat and cook until the chicken is tender and begin cooking the soup. 

Simmer with the lid on so that all of your liquid does not evaporate. It will take about 2 hours total on the stove.

STEP 3: Preparing the Ingredients

Dump your pasta zero noodles into the colander and rinse for 1 minute.

We like to cut them with our kitchen shears so that they are not so long. It’s easier to eat them when they are cut smaller.

Get a cutting board and sharp knife. Cut up all of the veggies and set them aside with the noodles.

STEP 4: Cooking the Soup

When your chicken is tender, then it’s time to take it out of the pot and set it aside in a large bowl.

When it’s cooled off enough to handle it then remove the skin and the meat from the bones, then discard the bones.

Cut up the meat into pieces that are a good size for eating.

In the meantime add the veggies to the soup pot and cook them to the desired doneness. It should take about 15-20 minutes, depending on how large or small you chopped them up.

When they are done cooking then add the cut-up chicken to the pot and blend together.

Now the last step is to add the noodles. Stir them into the soup and serve!

FAQs and Best Tips

Now we will answer some of the questions that may be running through your mind and also some helpful tips that we have learned when making this recipe.

• While your meat is cooking, then use that time to cut up your veggies and prepare your noodles so that when it’s time to add these ingredients, they will be all ready to go.
• While you are cooking the soup, leave the lid on the pot as much as possible so that the liquid does not evaporate. If you find that you need more water or even some chicken broth or stock, then feel free to add it. It’s your choice as to how much to add depending on how much broth you want. Some people like my husband love broth, and I like my soup with less broth.
• Do not add the veggies too early. You want them to be soft but not mushy.
• Whichever type of noodles you use, do not add them until the last few minutes of cooking the soup so that they do not end up overcooked. The desired result is for them to be “al dente” and low carb noodles cook really quickly.

How to Add More Flavor

• If you add some extra chicken to your soup then the stock will be more flavorful.
• Adding some chicken bouillon or canned broth or stock will enhance the flavor too.

How to Make the Noodles More Al Dente

The best way to make your noodles more al dente is to add them at the end of the cooking process. 

If you add them in the beginning they will cook too long and then as a result turn out overcooked and mushy. Basically whatever type of noodles that you use, the most important thing is to add them to the soup only long enough to heat up. 

If you want them even firmer then you can add them to your bowl and top them off with the hot soup.

How to Thicken Chicken Noodle Soup

A good way to thicken this chicken noodle soup recipe is to add a small amount of xanthan gum. It is flavorless, gluten-free, and has zero carbs/zero calories. 

You don’t need to use much, about 1-2 tsp will go a long way. 

Just mix it with a little warm water or some of the liquid from the pot of soup, until well blended, and then pour it into the soup. It won’t lump up like flour will so it thickens no matter what the temperature is.

Can I Buy Keto-Friendly Chicken Broth?

Yes, you can. When you buy chicken broth or chicken stock in the store they are all very low in carbs or have zero carbs, which make them keto-friendly ingredients.

Can I Use Raw or Uncooked Chicken?

Yes, uncooked chicken is my favorite way of making this recipe, but I will also use previously cooked chicken if I am short on time. 

When you use raw chicken it takes a while to cook to allow the flavor to come out of the bones while they are simmering, but the end result is delicious stock.

How to Increase Healthy Fat in this Soup?

Being on a keto diet you need to balance out your fat, carbs and protein. Sometimes you may be eating too much protein and need to balance it with a little more fat because the protein that you are eating is too lean. 

One sure way to give you some extra fat is to add a touch of healthy oil, like olive oil for instance, to the pot of soup while it is cooking.If you like the taste of avocado, then garnish the top of your bowl with some because they are a good and healthy way to increase the fat in your foods.

Will Chicken Broth Kick You Out of Keto?

Chicken broth is low enough in carbs that it will not kick you out of ketosis. That’s why bone broth made from chicken and keto are a matched set.

For example, if you were to buy chicken bone broth it has:

• Fat – 1 gram
• Carbs – 0 grams
• Protein – 10 grams

If you know anything about how keto works, this is a perfect equation of macros to put you in ketosis.

What to Serve with Chicken Noodle Soup

When I eat chicken soup I usually serve it with a green salad and bread…yes that’s right…bread!We have several recipes for low carb/keto bread in the list below:

• Keto Dinner Rolls
• Almond Flour Biscuits
• Keto Bread
• Keto Cloud Bread
• Keto Cornbread
• Keto Bagels (Coming Soon)

Making Ahead and Storing Options

Soup is a perfect meal that can be made ahead of time. Make it one day and serve it for a few days afterward. It’s so perfect when you come home and know that your dinner is waiting for you in the refrigerator, and will only take a few minutes to go from cold to hot!!

STORING: It stores perfectly in the refrigerator when put into an airtight container and will last for about 4 days. After that, freeze the leftovers.

How to Reheat Chicken Noodle Soup

You can reheat your chicken noodle soup either on the stove in a saucepan for a few minutes or in the microwave for about 2 minutes, right in your bowl!

Can You Freeze Low Carb Chicken Noodle Soup?

Freezing your leftover chicken noodle soup is definitely a good option. I like to freeze it in individual size plastic containers which make it so easy to thaw out and serve.

Either thaw it out in the refrigerator overnight or take it out and thaw it in a saucepan on the stove or even in the microwave.

It will stay fresh in the freezer for 3 months if you put your containers in individual ziplock bags, for a double layer of protection against freezer burn.

Tools to Use

• Knife – A sharp one to slice up your veggies and chicken.
• Cutting board – To cut everything on.
• Pot – To cook your soup on the stove in, along with a lid to keep in the moisture and flavor.
• Ladle – To stir and serve the soup with.

Is Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Keto-Friendly?

You may have eaten Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup since you were a little kid and if you are like me you have fond memories of it. When we probably progressed into eating a heartier soup with large pieces of chicken and vegetables along with some bigger noodles, “grown-up soup.” 

If you are like me, once I had kids, Campbell’s noodle soup came back into our house and it seemed like there were always a few cans hanging around, even when they were all grown up. 

Unfortunately, Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup is not a good choice for a Keto diet. There is not a place on the keto diet for that little red and white can because it does not have the right macros for Keto. Here is the breakdown of nutrition:

• 25% Fat
• 60% Carbs
• 16% Protein

FYI -Even if the soup was keto-friendly, prepared foods such as canned soups are always high in sodium which is not healthy for us either. 

It’s just convenient and that’s why we have grown up eating prepared and processed foods which have caused health and weight problems that we are trying to undo in our diets.

Other Diets This Recipe is Good For

• Keto/Low Carb – Our recipe for chicken soup is a perfect fit for keto and low carb.
• Gluten-Free – Once again there is no gluten in this recipe for chicken noodle soup.
• Nut-Free – Another low carb recipe that is not made with any nut products.
• Dairy-Free – This is one of the most popular non-dairy recipes.
• Sugar-Free – There is no need to add any sugar to this soup like most canned soups do.
• Paleo – Meat, veggies, and low carb noodles are a perfect fit for this diet.
• Whole 30 – Everything that is in this soup recipe fits the list of approved foods.

Other Similar Recipes

There are a few other low carb soup recipes that we have on our website. Please take a look at those recipes and try them out too.

• Keto Chicken Soup
• Keto Taco Soup
• Cauliflower Cheese Soup
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Keto Chili

All of them are Keto-friendly and low carb, and will have your friends raving!

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