30-Minute Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

Name: 30-Minute Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 medium white or yellow onion ((about 1/2 cup, diced)); 2 medium carrots ((about 1/2 cup, peeled and sliced)); 2 celery ribs ((about 1/2 cup, peeled and diced)); 1 jalapeno ((2-3 tablespoons, seeded and chopped)); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon oregano; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 8 cups low sodium chicken broth; 2 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken; 6 ounces egg noodles; 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste); 1 tablespoon hot sauce (or to taste); cilantro ((optional, to serve))

Ingredient and Substitution Information

Labeled ingredients for spicy chicken noodle soup.

Looking for the full recipe? The recipe card at the bottom of this post includes the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.

Chicken: For this recipe, you can poach boneless skinless chicken breasts, use rotisserie chicken, or even use leftover chicken! Whether you use white meat, dark meat, or a mixture of both is a matter of personal preference.

Noodles: I love to use wide egg noodles, but you can also use flat noodles! Try Orzo, a small pasta that looks like rice, for something a little different. If you want a non-spicy soup, this orzo soup recipe is delicious!

Jalapeño: The spiciness of this soup is partly determined by the jalapeno you use. If you want a mild jalapeno, select a smooth pepper. For a spicier jalapeno, look for white marks (striations) on the pepper. If your pepper is starting to turn red, that is an indication that it is an older pepper, which means it will be hotter.

Hot Sauce: I use Cholula or Sriracha sauce, depending on my mood. Tabasco can also be used.

Chicken Broth: I use low-sodium chicken broth to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Reduce the added salt if you are using regular chicken broth. Bone broth is a great substitute. Vegetable or beef broth may be used, but they will alter the flavor.

How to Make Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

Step One: Saute vegetables
Cook your vegetables in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat until they are soft but not brown. This takes about 7 minutes or so.

Step Two: Add spices
Cook the garlic and spices with the vegetables for about 30 seconds. You should start to smell their aroma.

Step Three: Add broth, chicken, and noodles
Add the chicken broth and increase your heat to medium-high, bringing the broth to a boil. Once it is boiling, add the chicken and noodles and reduce to medium-low heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are soft.

Step Four: Adjust seasonings
Add the hot sauce and taste the soup. Add additional hot sauce, salt, and pepper, if desired, to make it taste exactly how you love it! Sprinkle with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Collage of the 4 steps for making the soup.

Expert Tips

Add more or less chicken and noodles for a brothier or chunkier soup. The recipe amounts produce what I consider an average level of brothiness.
Boiling your chicken can make it rubbery, so keep your liquid on a simmer once the chicken has been added.
The flavors of this soup are great the next day but the noodles absorb the broth as this soup sits and they become mushy. If you plan on having leftovers I recommend only adding the amount of noodles that you want to eat in this sitting.
Noodles can be cooked and stored separately, and added to individual servings.
After adding the hot sauce, give the soup a taste. You can adjust any seasonings at this point, not just the heat. Feel free to add more garlic, oregano, or other spices to suit your preference.
Red bell peppers are a great addition if you are looking for more vegetables.

Looking for even more spice? Enjoy this spicy Hot Honey Margarita!

Scooping hot steaming soup out of the pot with a black ladle.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftover Spicy Chicken Soup?

Refrigerate your leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. I recommend storing without the noodles, as they will get mushy. But if you prefer to store with noodles simply add some additional broth before reheating.

How do I reheat soup?

Your leftover soup can be reheated in the microwave if you are looking for something fast. But my favorite way to reheat the soup is in a pot on the stove. Add additional broth to achieve your desired level of soupiness, then heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.

How can I spice up my chicken noodle soup?

The first thing you can do to adjust the spice level is to add an extra jalepeño. You could also double the cayenne pepper or the hot sauce. If you want this soup even spicier, add some crushed red pepper flakes to your bowl. And for a milder soup, do the opposite and reduce the spicy ingredients.

Can I cook raw chicken in the broth?

Yes, if you do not have any cooked chicken available to use, you can cook the chicken in the broth. Place 1 pound of raw chicken in the broth and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the chicken to shred, then return to the pan with the noodles.

Can Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup be made in the slow cooker?

You can add the vegetables and broth into the slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Add the noodles and shredded chicken 30-40 minutes before serving.