Chicken noodle soup is good for the soul. We all know that, but do you think about what else could go with your soup? If you are looking to make your meal more complete, then these options will do it for you.
Keep on reading and find out what to serve with chicken noodle soup. You can choose one, two, or three of these options.
What Is Chicken Noodle Soup
As the name suggests, chicken noodle soup consists of chicken cooked in broth or water. It will often contain egg noodles or soft pasta. Your soup might also have carrots, onions, celery, and other vegetables.
Usually, chicken noodle soup is a dish for sick days, as it is light and comforting. The preparation is very simple, often involving boiling the chicken along with root vegetables. The noodles of choice are added later on.
Many variations of the traditional chicken soup exist today, including cream of chicken, chicken ramen, chicken broth, and more. Because this soup is often a comfort dish, you can find it ready to eat at grocery stores, frozen, and canned. For those looking for easiness, you can make it in the slow cooker too.
While there is not a lot of scientific evidence around the benefits of chicken noodle soup, it is certainly high in protein and contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. You can also add more vegetables to increase the nutrient profile. Other than that, chicken noodle soup is good for your digestion as well.
Nutrition Facts
One cup of a homemade chicken noodle soup (241 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
147 calories
208 g water
13.4 g protein
5.35 g fat
11.9 g carbohydrate
0.964 g fiber
2.24 g sugar
28.9 mg calcium
3.05 mg iron
21.7 mg magnesium
135 mg phosphorus
246 mg potassium
889 mg sodium
4.1 mg vitamin C
79.5 µg vitamin A
55.4 mg cholesterol
As you can see, chicken noodle soup is high in protein, low in fat, and low in carbohydrates. You can make this meal more nutritious by adding more vegetables. Choose lower in sodium ingredients to make it healthier too.
What Goes With Chicken Noodle Soup
Below are sides for chicken noodle soup that you can serve at any time!
#1. Ham and Cheese Sandwich
A ham and cheese sandwich is a delicacy that we all enjoy when we need a pick-me-up. Whether you want to make it on a lazy Sunday or a weeknight, you can enjoy it along with your favorite soup.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
2 slices sourdough bread
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon or honey mustard
4 slices Swiss cheese
3 slices ham
3 slices dill pickle
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your ham and cheese sandwich:
Place your bread on a plate and spread half the butter on the outer part of each slice.
Spread the mayonnaise on the inside of each slice, and then spread the mustard on top.
Place one slice of ham and one slice of cheese on the slices, alternating one each.
Place the pickle slices to finish.
Heat a skillet on the stove and add the remaining butter to melt.
Add the sandwich, cook for three minutes on each side.
Serve your ham and cheese sandwich warm on the side of your chicken noodle soup.
#2. Creamed and Cheesy Spinach
This creamed and cheesy spinach recipe is a fantastic dish to try along with your soup. Not only will it add vegetables, but it is filling and decadent.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 shallot, sliced
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 cups baby spinach
2 cups fresh parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your creamed and cheesy spinach:
Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
Wash, clean, and slice your vegetables. Set them aside.
Melt the butter in a skillet and add the shallot. Cook for five minutes.
Pour in the cream and milk. Mix well.
Stir in the flour, and continue mixing.
Add the spinach, mix more, and cook for a couple more minutes.
Season with garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Add the parmesan cheese and stir the mixture.
Transfer your creamed spinach to a baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese turns golden.
Serve your creamed and cheesy spinach warm with a bowl of chicken noodle soup on the side.
#3. BLT Sandwich
A BLT sandwich is a classic. The term BLT stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato for those not familiar. This sandwich adds crunch and protein, and your meal will be complete.
Ingredients:
2 slices white bread
4 slices bacon
2 pieces of iceberg lettuce
2 ripe tomatoes
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your BLT sandwich:
Begin by cooking your bacon on the stove. Place the cooked slices on a plate lined with a paper towel, and allow them to drain.
In the meantime, wash, clean, and slice your vegetables. Set them aside.
Using a toaster oven, toast each piece of bread to the desired level.
Spread some of the mayonnaise on both slices.
Add one piece of lettuce to each bread slice, and do the same with the tomatoes.
Arrange the slices of bacon on top of the vegetables.
Finish off by spreading more mayonnaise on top of everything.
Serve your BLT sandwich warm or at room temperature next to your bowl of chicken noodle soup.
#4. Sweet Potato Tots
Who does not like tater tots? What if you could make them healthy? Try these sweet potato tots, which are delicious and have tons of nutrients.
Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes
½ onion, diced
1 ½ tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for frying
Follow these steps to prepare your sweet potato tots:
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
In the meantime, wash, clean, and peel your sweet potatoes. Cube them into 1-inch cubes.
Add your potato cubes to the water and cook for 5 minutes. Drain, rinse and set them aside.
Wash, clean, and dice your onion.
Place the sweet potatoes and onion in a food processor or blender. Process until the texture is grainy.
Mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Transfer the sweet potato mixture to the bowl.
Using your hands, turn your sweet potato and flour mixture into cylinders.
Heat the oil in a large and deep skillet. Once hot, place the sweet potato tots and cook for about 5 minutes.
Remove the tots from the frying oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Sever your sweet potato tots hot with garlic aioli.
Tip: you can save some calories and fat by baking your tots instead of frying them.
#5. Avocado and Tomato Salad
This avocado and tomato salad is fresh but still substantial. You can add more or fewer vegetables according to what you like.
Ingredients:
¼ cup olive oil
2 Hass avocados
½ red onion, sliced
2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped
½ can of sweet corn, drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your avocado and tomato salad:
Wash, clean, and chop your vegetables. Transfer them to a large bowl.
Drain your corn and place it in the large bowl.
Cut and pit your avocado, cube it, and transfer it to the bowl.
Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Slowly add the vinaigrette to the large bowl. Toss well.
Chop your fresh cilantro and sprinkle it on top of your vegetables.
Serve your avocado and tomato salad fresh on the side of your favorite chicken noodle soup.
Tip: you can store this avocado and tomato salad in the refrigerator for one day.
#6. Mushroom Quesadilla
While not necessarily traditional, this mushroom quesadilla is a fantastic choice to add fiber and protein to your meal. You can also add other vegetables, such as spinach, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 wheat tortillas
½ cup Mexican cheese mix
½ yellow onion, diced
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your mushroom quesadilla:
Wash, clean, and chop your vegetables.
Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet. Stir in the onion and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another three minutes.
Chop your cilantro and add it to the mushroom mixture.
Remove the mushroom mixture and set it aside.
Place the first tortilla on the skillet, and scoop the mushroom mixture on top.
Add the cheese on top.
After one minute, place the second tortilla and press the quesadilla down using a spatula.
Cook for two more minutes, and then flip sides. Cook for another couple of minutes.
Transfer your mushroom quesadilla to a plate and serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
#7. Onion, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Flatbread
This onion, goat cheese, and arugula flatbread recipe are just as good as it sounds. You can enjoy it as an appetizer, side dish, or main dish at any time.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon vegetable broth
4 tablespoons goat cheese
1 ½ cup arugula
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 flatbread
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your onion, goat, and arugula flatbread:
Wash, clean, and slice your vegetables. Set them aside.
Add the olive oil to a skillet, but reserve one teaspoon of it. Once hot, add the onion and cook for at least 20 minutes.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400 °F.
Brush the flatbread with the remaining olive oil, and then place the cooked onions on top.
Sprinkle the goat cheese on top, and transfer the flatbread to a baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes and remove from the oven.
Add the arugula to a bowl and season with balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Top your baked flatbread with the arugula and serve immediately on the side of your favorite chicken noodle soup.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Chicken Noodle Soup Sides?
When you think of chicken noodle soup, you might think of sickness or a need for comfort. However, you can make this soup at any time. With these recipes, your meal will certainly be complete.
If you want to add more protein to the meal, you could try a sandwich. The ham and cheese sandwich is also a classic that transports us back to childhood. The BLT sandwich is decadent and delicious.
For those that want to keep things simpler and fresh, vegetables might be the right choice. The avocado and tomato salad is delicious and very easy to make. The onion, goat cheese, and arugula flatbread is sweet and savory.
Finally, all other options will make your chicken noodle soup meal more filling. The sweet potato tots are indulgent but still nutritious. The mushroom quesadilla or creamed and cheesy spinach are the perfect side dish for cheese lovers.
Conclusion
As you can see from this article, chicken noodle soup does not have to be only an appetizer or a remedy for the flu. Try these delicious recipes to complement your favorite chicken noodle soup. You can make more than one of these, and your family or friends will certainly want more.
If you happen to make extra soup, it’s always a good idea to store it in the fridge and learn to reheat soup for fresh meals later.
Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.
