Cozy and comforting, this Alphabet Soup is a healthy and nutritious soup recipe loved by the whole family! Made with juicy shredded chicken, rainbow carrots, alphabet pasta, and topped with your favorite salty crackers, you can easily enjoy this simple and interactive recipe all winter long.
Alphabet soup is fun for all ages!
Even as an adult, I can’t help but love alphabet soup. And this version, made with an easy, homemade chicken broth and packed full of juicy chicken and vegetables, is my 5-year-olds favorite.
But, I’ll bet that even if I had filled this pot with kale and beet greens, he would have still finished his entire bowl. Tunnel vision, I tell you. Sometimes, though rarely, it works in our favor. I mean, who cares about a few bites of green stuff when mom has basically just given me permission to PLAY with my food?
Being a wild and active 5-year-old, I love that I am able to offer him a meal that encourages him to use his brain and apply what he is learning in a fun, positive way.
Ingredients in Alphabet Soup
- olive oil
- onions
- carrots
- celery
- garlic
- chicken broth
- lemon
- alphabet shaped pasta noodles
- fresh rosemary or parsley, to garnish
- oyster and soup crackers
How to make Alphabet Soup
Whenever possible, I try to make my own chicken broth. The overall cook time may be longer by approximately one hour, but I find that the flavor is completely unparalleled to that of store-bought chicken stock.
If you are short on time, store-bought broth (low-sodium!) is a great alternative.
For extra fast chicken alphabet soup, grab a rotisserie chicken and leave the stress of cooking chicken for a different day.
Ok, so depending on your schedule you may either start from the beginning and prepare the homemade chicken broth OR skip that part and instead use 3 quarts of low-sodium chicken broth with shredded rotisserie chicken.
For the chicken broth-
- Add the chicken thighs and chicken breasts to a large stockpot. Add approximately 3 quarts of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for approximately 45 minutes.
- After the broth has finished simmering and the chicken has finished cooking, remove from heat. Carefully remove the chicken to a clean cutting board and set aside to rest until cool enough to handle. Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer into a clean pot to remove any impurities. Shred the chicken.
For the soup-
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Approximately 15 minutes before you strain the chicken broth, chop and cook the vegetables. Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes or until the onions turn translucent. Add the carrots and celery and continue to cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring often. In the last two minutes stir in the minced garlic, mixing well to combine.
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Transfer the chicken broth and shredded chicken to the vegetables. Stir in the salt, pepper, and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are fully cooked.
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Cook the noodles separately (read more on this below). As the soup simmers bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse and toss with olive oil. Set aside.
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Add approximately 1/2 cup of the prepared alphabet pasta to each bowl and ladle soup directly on top. Garnish with fresh parsley, rosemary, and oyster crackers, if desired.
Do I have to cook the Alphabet Pasta separately?
No. Of course not.
However, I much prefer fresh noodles over soggy, overcooked noodles any day of the week. I’m somewhat annoying about it because yes, I know, it’s one more dirty pot. BUT, it’s worth it for that al dente pasta.
If you cook your noodles directly in the pot with your soup you are basically asking for soggy leftovers. If you don’t anticipate having leftovers, or you love soggy noodles, then you, my friend, are the exception and may absolutely add all the noodles to the pot.
This really is just a personal preference.
What to serve with this Alphabet Soup Recipe
- Buttered bread. Oh my word, is there really any other answer? Just big hunks of fresh buttered bread.
- Cornbread. The sweetness from the cornbread is a nice contrast to the mellow chicken broth (with butter, of course).
- Grilled cheese sandwich. I know, this is tomato soup’s thing…or is it?
- Fluffy Biscuits. Again, along the same lines as the bread and cornbread. And yes, with butter.
If you’re feeling like you need something with fewer carbs, soup and salad are always my go-to. This Tomato Basil Salad or this Cucumber Salad would each taste wonderful with a hot bowl of this alphabet soup.
But, my vote will always be for the buttered bread.
Can you freeze leftover alphabet soup?
Fortunately, this alphabet soup recipe is awesome leftover. So, make an extra big pot and enjoy all week long!
If you prefer not to eat the same thing two days in a row, easily freeze the leftovers for a quick family meal or in pre-portioned containers for lunch.
How to freeze:
- Allow the soup to cool completely. I recommend refrigerating overnight, if possible.
- For best results, cook the pasta separately and do not freeze the alphabet pasta.
- Add the soup to a gallon-size ziplock bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal completely.
- Transfer to the freezer.
To thaw:
- Remove both the soup from the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, if time allows.
- Transfer the soup to a large, wide, soup pot over medium-high heat. Allow soup to come to a low boil.
- Boil fresh pasta noodles and add to soup bowls at serving.
If you try making this Easy Alphabet Soup Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to read your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear which vegetables you used to make this soup!
For more soup recipes check out,
- Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- Ham and Bean Soup Recipe (Crock Pot)
- Albondigas Soup Recipe (Mexican Meatball Soup)
- Homemade Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
- Split Pea Soup with Ham (Snert)
- Pho Recipe – How to Make Vietnamese Noodle Soup
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Easy Minestrone Soup Recipe (Stovetop + Slow Cooker)
- Cauliflower Leek and Potato Soup (Dairy-Free)
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Chicken Alphabet Noodle Soup
Ingredients
For the chicken broth
- 6 skinless chicken thighs
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 quarts water
- 2 bay leaves
For the soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 onions - peeled and finely diced
- 5 carrots - peeled and chopped
- 5 stalks celery - chopped
- 5 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 teaspoon salt - plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper - plus more to taste
- 1 lemon - juiced
- 12 oz alphabet shaped pasta noodles
- Fresh chopped parsley - to garnish (optional)
- Oyster and Soup Crackers - for serving (optional)
Instructions
For the chicken broth
- To prepare the chicken broth (optional- see notes), add the chicken thighs and chicken breasts to a large stockpot. Add approximately 3 quarts of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for approximately 30-45 minutes.
- After the broth has finished simmering and the chicken has finished cooking, remove from heat. Carefully remove the chicken from the broth to a clean cutting board and set aside to rest until cool enough to handle. Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer into a clean pot to remove any impurities. Shred the chicken.
For the soup
- Approximately 15 minutes before you strain the chicken broth, chop and cook the vegetables. Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes or until the onions turn translucent. Add the carrots and celery to the onions and mix well to combine. Continue to cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring often. In the last two minutes stir in the minced garlic, mixing well to combine.
- Transfer the chicken broth and shredded chicken to the vegetables. Stir in the salt, pepper, and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are fully cooked.
- Cook the noodles separately. As the soup simmers bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse and toss with olive oil. Set aside.
- Add approximately 1/2 cup of the prepared alphabet pasta to each bowl and ladle soup directly on top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Jessica's Notes
- Cut back on cook time and use store-bought chicken stock (approximately 3 quarts, or 10-12 cups) with shredded rotisserie chicken. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- This alphabet-shaped pasta is great.
- Feel free to cook the alphabet pasta right in with the soup if you prefer. I always cook my noodles separately to prevent them from turning soggy.
- This soup is great served with these Oyster and Soup Crackers.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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