Spicy Ginger Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

There's nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup, especially when the cooler months hit and you start to feel slightly under the weather. When such an affliction hits, it's easy to reach for a can of soup at the grocery store (so long as you're willing to sacrifice quality flavor). Luckily, it's not too hard to make your own batch of chicken noodle soup, and this recipe from Deniz Vergara kicks things up a notch by incorporating a spicy ginger twist.

Despite this recipe's elevated approach to chicken noodle soup, you can still expect ease as you make it and comfort with every bite. "My favorite thing about this soup is how easy it is to make," Vergara says. "Plus, it is great when you are feeling like you are coming down with something — the ginger and Sriracha have a nice kick." Additional ingredients such as miso paste, tamari, and mirin help add umami depth to the broth, which pairs wonderfully with a bowlful of shredded chicken breast and hearty ramen noodles.

A drizzle of sesame oil kicks off the cooking festivities, which you'll follow up with aromatics: garlic, ginger, and scallion whites. Then, you'll add the miso paste, Sriracha, tamari (or soy sauce), mirin, chicken breasts, and chicken broth. You'll cook the ramen noodles separately, then combine them with the savory broth before adding scallion greens and sesame seeds as a finishing touch for your bowl of soup.

Heat the sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering.

Add the garlic, ginger, and scallion whites and cook for a few minutes, just until translucent but not yet golden.

Stir in the miso, Sriracha, tamari, and mirin. Cook, stirring, for another minute.

Add the chicken and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer for 15–20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. Taste the soup and add salt, if needed. The amount (if any) will vary depending on the type of chicken broth and soy sauce you use.

While the soup is simmering, bring a small pot of water to a boil.

Add the ramen noodles to the boiling water.

Cook for 2–3 minutes, until soft. Divide the noodles into four large bowls.

Remove the chicken and shred or cut into pieces. Set aside.

Divide the finished broth among the four bowls with noodles. Top with the shredded chicken, reserved scallion greens, and sesame seeds.

Serve immediately.

Though you could technically enjoy this spicy ginger chicken noodle soup any time of year and at any time of day, there is something quintessentially comforting about the dish, so you're best off whipping up a batch once chilly weather sets in. As Vergara says, "This is a great soup to make when you want to be warm and cozy" — warm and cozy will both you and your palate be after finishing off a bowlful of this good stuff.

This soup makes for a full meal on its own, though you could enjoy a smaller serving as more of an appetizer or side dish. Should you go this route, you may be inclined to pair the soup with other foods to round out the meal. "If you have the time to make scallion pancakes, these are my favorite to serve with this soup," Vergara says.

One of the absolute best things about any soup recipe is that it almost guarantees leftovers, and those leftovers are almost guaranteed to store well both in the fridge and freezer. This recipe is no exception, and should you go the refrigeration route, Vergara says that you can keep leftover soup "in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days." Make a batch on Sunday evening, and you can enjoy it all week long!

When it comes to reheating leftovers, you can't go wrong with the method that yielded the soup to begin with — the trusty stovetop. "I like to [reheat] this soup on the stove over a medium-to-low flame," Vergara advises. Finally, if you're the type who likes to plan ahead and make big batches of soup to last a while, you're in luck with this recipe. "You can definitely make this soup in advance," says Vergara, adding that "you can also make a double batch and freeze it!"