Nothing says comfort food quite like chicken noodle soup. It's my go-to when someone in my house is sick, but it's also perfect whenever I crave something warm and comforting.
But what to serve with chicken noodle soup? Of course, it can be eaten alone for a light meal, but having something to go with it is nice.
What to Serve with Chicken Noodle Soup
Crackers might be just the thing to serve with chicken noodle soup when you're sick. Other times, you might like to eat it with a salad, sandwich, or something more creative. Here are some ideas to get you started!
1. Crackers
Saltine crackers pair perfectly with chicken noodle soup, especially when feeling under the weather. But other types of crackers go well with soup, like oyster crackers or homemade five seed crackers. Sometimes, you just need that little extra crunch.
2. Grilled cheese
Soup and sandwich, anyone? Grilled cheese is delicious with just about any type of soup. Pair comfort food with comfort food by serving chicken noodle soup with crispy, gooey, yummy grilled cheese. It's a super easy, super satisfying meal.
3. Pierogis
If you've never had a pierogi, you're missing out. These delicious little dumplings are typically filled with mashed potatoes and sometimes other ingredients as well. They take a bit of time to make, but they're freezer-friendly and the perfect side for chicken noodle soup.
4. Green salad
For a healthy meal, it's hard to go wrong with a side salad. Crisp, cool greens drizzled with a light dressing make an excellent complement to hot soup. Toss together a simple green salad, or go for something a little different, like crunchy, sweet spinach salad.
5. Panini
A step up from grilled cheese, a panini sandwich is just as easy to make but feels a little more classy if you're entertaining. Plus, you can prepare a whole bunch in a matter of minutes. Sliced ham and cheese layered on good french bread or bread of your choice... yummm.
6. Fritters
When adding sides to soup, mixing in some varied textures is always nice. Fritters have a crispy exterior, making them perfect for this. They can also add some veggies to the meal. Try cauliflower broccoli fritters or corn pancakes, or use your favorite fritter recipe.
7. Rolls
It's hard to go wrong with bread as a side. Soup and bread is a classic combination for a reason! The possibilities are endless, from fluffy dinner rolls to crusty French rolls. That savory broth just begs to be sopped up with bread.
8. Seasonal veggies
Along the same lines as fritters, roasted or fried seasonal veggies go well with chicken noodle soup, especially if they can be eaten with your fingers! Choose something like roasted asparagus in spring, fried green tomatoes in summer, or roasted sweet dumpling squash in fall and winter.
Love soups? The soup book has 200 recipes listed by season. A great resource for soup lovers!
FAQs
Egg noodles are the most traditional in chicken noodle soup, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Chicken noodle soup is wonderfully customizable. Rotini, farfalle, and other shaped pasta are great options for wheat noodles. Whatever you use, just take care not to overcook them.
Yes, absolutely! Freezing chicken noodle soup is a great way to prevent waste and have a quick meal on hand for later. Let the soup cool to room temperature, then ladle it into freezer-safe containers (a quart is a great size). Remember to leave an inch of headspace and to label the container clearly. Frozen soup is best used within six months.
As with the type of pasta, the bread you serve with chicken noodle soup depends on personal preference and what you have on hand. I find fluffy dinner rolls very comforting, but you can also go with something more dippable, like crusty French bread or crostini.
If your chicken noodle soup seems to lack something, first ensure you've included the onion, celery, and carrots trifecta. You can also add a sprinkle of fresh or dried herbs, like thyme and rosemary, or even a pinch of ginger. Garlic is always a great addition, too.
Chicken noodle soup is such a wonderfully comforting food it's hard to choose a "bad" side to go with it. If you're feeling stuck, though, I hope the list above has inspired you and perhaps given you a new recipe or two to try.
