Chicken soup is a classic comfort food that can provide nourishment when you’re feeling under the weather. While noodles are not a traditional ingredient in chicken soup, adding some pasta to your chicken broth can provide extra substance and satisfy your cravings. But with so many types of pasta available, it can be tricky to choose which variety works best in chicken soup. Here we will explore the key factors to consider when selecting pasta for chicken soup and provide recommendations on the best pasta shapes and sizes.
Key Factors to Consider
When deciding what pasta works best in chicken noodle soup, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Pasta Shape
The shape of the pasta can impact how well it pairs with the broth and other ingredients in chicken soup. Short pastas like penne, rotini, and farfalle work well since they can scoop up broth and vegetables. Long thin pastas may get lost or be difficult to eat in spoonfuls of soup. Mini pasta shapes like orzo, small shells, and mini penne are great options too since they are small enough to fit on a spoon but still have enough surface area to soak up the flavors.
Pasta Size
Along with the shape, the size of the pasta is also important. Oversized pasta pieces can be unwieldy in spoonfuls of soup, while extra small pieces may turn mushy when cooked. Look for smaller sized pasta options or break up larger pieces before adding them to the soup.
Pasta Texture
Consider whether you want your pasta al dente with a nice chew, or softer and more tender. Heartier varieties like whole wheat or spinach pasta can hold their texture well when cooked in broth. More delicate pastas like angel hair may get soggy. Meet in the middle with pastas like penne or rotini that won’t overpower the soup but will have a pleasing texture.
Cooking Time
Factor in the cooking time of the pasta versus the vegetables in your soup. You want the pasta to finish cooking at the same time as the veggies to ensure everything is perfectly tender. Opt for pastas labeled as quick cooking that will be done in a similar timeframe as carrots, celery, onion, etc.
Best Pasta for Chicken Soup
Taking these key factors into account, here are some top recommendations for what pasta works best in chicken noodle soup:
Mini Pasta Shapes
Mini pasta shapes like mini penne, mini shells, small macaroni, ditalini, and small elbows are perfect for chicken soup. Their small size allows them to fit neatly on a spoon without taking over. The short tube or shell shapes do a great job soaking up broth flavors. And the smaller surface area helps prevent mushiness.
Mini Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are a popular choice for chicken noodle soup thanks to their tender texture when cooked. Mini egg noodles add all the classic flavors but their petite size makes them ideal for incorporating into spoonfuls of soup. Use flat or thin egg noodles for a more delicate profile.
Orzo
This tiny, rice-shaped pasta is right at home in chicken soup. It easily absorbs flavors from the broth. Its small size lets it mix in with vegetables and chicken pieces without overwhelming the soup. Orzo gives a hearty feel without taking up too much real estate in the bowl.
Israeli Couscous
While not a traditional pasta, Israeli couscous brings an interesting texture to chicken soup. The small, toasted pasta spheres soften in the broth but maintain a pleasant chewy pop. Israeli couscous pairs very well with intense Middle Eastern flavors if you want to give your soup a kick.
Alphabets or Pastina
For ultimate nostalgia, use whimsical alphabet pasta or tiny star-shaped pastina. Both provide comforting textures. The itty-bitty letters and stars are cute served in mugs of soup. The small size won’t overpower more delicate ingredients.
What to Avoid
On the flip side, here are some pasta varieties you may want to avoid using in chicken soup:
Large Noodles
Extra wide or long egg noodles can be hard to eat neatly in spoonfuls of broth. Stick to thinner, petite egg noodle sizes instead.
Large Shells
While smaller shells work well, oversized shells don’t make the most sense floating in soup and can make for awkward bites.
Lasagna Noodles
Their flat, wide shape isn’t ideal for scooping broth and is likely to get soggy.
Angel Hair
Delicate angel hair pasta can turn mushy when simmered in broth.
Spaghetti
Long thin strands like spaghetti don’t pair well with broth or spoonfuls of ingredients.
Tips for Cooking Pasta in Soup
Once you’ve selected the right pasta, follow these tips for cooking it perfectly in chicken soup:
Hydrate and Simmer
For the best texture, bring the soup base or broth to a simmer before adding dry pasta. Let the pasta hydrate for 1-2 minutes then cook according to package directions until al dente.
Match Cooking Times
Add quick-cooking pasta toward the end so it finishes at the same time as the veggies. Or prep veggies first and then add pasta.
Finish Cooking in Soup
For fuller flavor, boil pasta 2/3 of the recommended cooking time, then add it to the simmering soup to finish cooking.
Control Portions
Use a measuring cup to portion out pasta for each bowl of soup to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
Rinse Starch
Rinsing cooked pasta in cold water prevents sticking and removes extra starch for the best texture. Shake off excess water before adding it to the soup.
Sample Chicken Soup Recipes
Here are a few delicious chicken soup recipes that use pasta varieties we recommend:
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
– 3 pounds chicken pieces (breast, thighs, legs)
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 carrots, sliced
– 3 ribs celery, sliced
– 6 cups chicken broth
– 1 bay leaf
– 1 cup mini egg noodles or medium pasta shells
– 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Instructions:
1. Simmer chicken pieces in broth with onion, carrots, celery and bay leaf for 30 minutes.
2. Remove chicken and shred or dice meat when cool enough to handle.
3. Discard bay leaf. Return shredded chicken to broth.
4. Add pasta and simmer 7-10 minutes until al dente.
5. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 pound ground chicken
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 6 cups chicken broth
– 1 14oz. can diced tomatoes
– 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
– 1 9oz. package refrigerated cheese tortellini
– grated parmesan for serving
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook chicken and onion 3-5 minutes until no longer pink.
2. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
3. Pour in broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
5. Add kale and tortellini and cook 5 minutes.
6. Top bowls of soup with parmesan cheese.
Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
– 2 ribs celery, sliced
– 6 cups chicken broth
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
– juice from 1 lemon
– 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook 5 minutes until lightly browned.
2. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook 5 minutes more.
3. Add broth, thyme and orzo. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer 10-12 minutes until orzo is al dente.
5. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and parsley.
Key Takeaways
The type of pasta you choose for chicken soup can make a big difference. Keep these tips in mind:
| Pasta Characteristic | Best for Chicken Soup |
|---|---|
| Shape | Small short shapes like shells, tubetti, or mini penne |
| Size | Look for petite and small sized pasta |
| Texture | Pasta that maintains some chewiness like mini farfalle or small shells |
| Cooking Time | Quick cooking pasta that matches veggies |
A few great pasta options to try are mini penne, mini shells, orzo, couscous, and small egg noodles. Avoid using long thin noodles or oversized pasta shapes. Follow tips for properly cooking pasta like hydrating first and controlling portions. With the ideal pasta choice, you can create delicious chicken soup full of texture and flavor.
Conclusion
When preparing a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup, the type of pasta you use can have a big impact on the overall dish. Small pastas like mini penne, shells, and orzo perform best by absorbing the flavorful broth while holding their shape and avoiding mushiness. Stay away from long or large pasta varieties that are difficult to eat or could overpower the soup. Match the pasta’s cook time to the vegetables and keep portions under control. With the guidelines provided, you can choose a pasta that complements the flavors of your chicken soup for a comforting meal that perfectly satisfies.