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Cozy Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Easy Thermos Lunches

Cozy Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup - featured image
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A warm, nourishing chicken noodle soup that travels well in a thermos, featuring tender chicken, flavorful broth, and noodles that stay firm for hours.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
  • 4 ounces (about 1 cup dry) medium egg noodles
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth (homemade or store-bought low-sodium)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until vegetables soften and onion turns translucent, avoiding browning.
  2. Stir in minced garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes to meld flavors and soften vegetables.
  4. While broth simmers, cook egg noodles in boiling salted water according to package instructions (usually 6-8 minutes). Drain and rinse under cool water to stop cooking.
  5. If not using pre-shredded chicken, shred cooked chicken breasts or thighs with two forks until bite-sized.
  6. Remove bay leaf from broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
  7. To assemble, place cooked noodles in your thermos first, top with shredded chicken, then ladle hot broth and vegetables over. Seal immediately to keep warm.

Notes

Cook noodles separately and add just before packing to prevent sogginess. Pre-warm thermos with boiling water for better heat retention. Lemon juice brightens the broth. For gluten-free, substitute noodles with gluten-free pasta or spiralized vegetables. For dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken noodle soup, Panera copycat, thermos lunch, easy soup recipe, comforting soup, homemade chicken soup

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/cozy-copycat-panera-chicken-noodle-soup-recipe-for-easy-thermos-lunches/