Make This Quick & Easy Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken

Photo bySavour the Senses

This Asian chicken noodle soup is one of my go-to meals. It has everything I look for in a recipe: it's fast, delicious, inexpensive and incredibly versatile. Not to mention healthy.

The base ingredients for this Chinese-style version of the classic soup are simple and cheap: a package of Ramen noodles, a teaspoon of sesame oil, some bok choy, a carrot and 2 cups of leftover rotisserie chicken. Make it every time you're craving comfort food but want to spice things up a little.

The variations are endless. Swap out the bok choy for regular cabbage, celery, leeks, green onions or even spinach (I've done it all). Add shiitake mushrooms and baby corn in place of the carrot. For a tangier flavor, add lime juice and garlic then garnish with lime wedges.

To up the heat, make the soup with jalapeno chili peppers and top it with a sprinkling of red pepper flakes. If you don't have fresh vegetables on hand, use frozen and cook the soup a bit longer. If you don't have rotisserie chicken, use regular cut-up chicken breast or even leftover turkey.

You can also make this soup with rice noodles, egg noodles or even regular pasta. In place of the flavor packet, throw in a few chicken bouillon cubes and add the pasta after the broth comes to a boil.

Asian Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients

3 cups water

1 (3 ounce) package chicken-flavored ramen noodles (or noodles of your choice)

2 cups cut-up rotisserie chicken (or 2 cups chicken breast)

2 leaves bok choy, sliced

1 carrot, sliced

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional)

1 teaspoon ginger (optional)

Directions

1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium-sized pot and add the contents of the seasoning packet. Break up the block of noodles and stir into the pot, reserving the seasoning packet.
2. Stir in the chicken, bok choy, and carrot. Bring to a boil again, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Stir in the sesame oil.
4. Garnish with the topping of your choice and serve warm.

Serves 4

Notes

I like to add more flavor with the soy sauce and ginger but if you want a milder broth, feel free to skip one or both.