Simmered Chicken and Herb Noodle Soup
A fragrant soup with tender chicken, rice noodles, and aromatic herbs simmered in a light broth, brightened with lime and fish sauce. This laotian-inspired asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs Boneless skinless chicken breast, Chicken broth, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Boneless skinless chicken breast
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 Shallot
- 1 Red chili
- 8 oz Rice noodles
- 1/2 cup Fresh basil
- 1/4 cup Fresh mint
- 2 tbsp Fish sauce
- 1 Lime
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 12 oz boneless skinless chicken breast into thin strips and set aside. In a pot, combine 4 cups chicken broth, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 minced shallot, and 1 minced red chili. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 12 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Step 2: Add the chicken strips to the simmering broth and cook for 5 minutes until no longer pink. Stir in 8 oz rice noodles and simmer for 4 minutes until tender.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and the juice of 1 lime. Let sit for 1 minute to allow herbs to bloom before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Chicken and Herb Noodle Soup take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Simmered Chicken and Herb Noodle Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Chicken and Herb Noodle Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Simmered Chicken and Herb Noodle Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Simmered Chicken and Herb Noodle Soup?
Laotian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
