This is my homemade version of Chicken and Sweet Corn Cup-a-Soup with noodles. Itโs quick and easy, and the flavour is in a completely different league to the instant kind!
Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup with Noodles
I often get recipe ideas just by wandering the aisles of the grocery store, seeing what everyoneโs buying. Come winter, Australians pile their trolleys with ready-made Lasagna, Cottage Pie and pasta bakes, and the cup-a-soup aisle suddenly gets a lot more traffic too. Cream of Chicken Soup, Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup and Mushroom Soup are flying off the shelves.
And so is Chicken and Sweet Corn Noodle Soup, and I realised โ hang on, I donโt have a recipe for that yet. Thought Iโd better rectify that!
So here it is. Itโs creamy with little bits of chicken, lots of sweet corn flavour and pasta that will actually fit in your soup spoon. That it leaves powdered packet soups in the dust goes without saying. ๐
Ingredients in Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup with Noodles
I like how this soup is thickened without flour or cornflour/cornstarch. Instead, it relies on the starch from the pasta, creamed corn and a handful of cheese! I also added a few handfuls of green stuff into the soup, just because I can and cup-a-soups canโt. ๐
Two types of corn โ This soup uses both creamed corn and corn kernels. The creamed corn forms part of the soup broth, adding flavour, corny-sweetness and also thickens it a bit. Feel free to substitute the corn kernels with frozen for fresh corn kernels if you want (2 cups).
Chicken stock/broth โ I did try this using water rather than stock but found the soup broth lacking. Itโs just tastier using chicken stock! My default is to use low sodium because it allows me to control the amount of salt I add into a dish, which varies depending on other ingredients I use. ๐
Milk โ This is what gives the soup broth a creamy colour. You can use any type of milk you want, dairy or non-diary, and any fat percentage you want (my default is low-fat because thatโs what I drink)/
Chicken breast โ I use around 400g/14oz chicken for this soup though you could easily use more if you want to bulk up on protein. The chicken I had when I filmed the video and took these photos was mega size โ about 380g/13oz โ so I just used one. You can also use thigh fillets.
Broken angel hair pasta โ These fine, little bits of pasta cook in a flash (3 minutes!) and I also like them because it reminds me of the little bits of pasta in the cup-a-soup packets. Theyโre so small they fit in teaspoons!
Other pastas โ Feel free to use any other tiny pasta โ rizoni/orzo, star shapes, tiny macaroni, alphabet, dinosaur shapes (no judgement from me, even if thereโs no one under 10 in your household). If using slightly larger pasta like ditalini, small shells, these will absorb a bit more liquid so just add an extra slosh of water into the broth, else your soup will be quite chunky.
Handful of cheese (optional) โ A late addition, but once I did it, there was no looking back. ๐ It adds an extra oomph of flavour and it thickens the broth a bit too. But itโs entirely optional!
Green stuff (kale!) โ I also like to stir in a few big handfuls of kale, just to get some green goodness into the soup and also because it adds a splash of colour. I use kale because there is always a bunch loitering in my fridge, though baby spinach, spinach, silverbeet/chard would do just as nicely. Else, you could always chop up some vegetables and sautรฉ it with the onion (carrots, celery, zucchini, capsicum/bell peppers are go-to options).
How to make Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup with Noodles
I like to sear the chicken first which not only leave tasty brown stuff on the base of the pot that makes our soup tastier (itโs called fond!), I also find it easier to dice into small pieces compared to handling a slippery raw chicken. We add it back to the pot later, so it doesnโt need to be cooked through at this stage. In fact, you donโt want it fully cooked, otherwise it will be overcooked by the time the soup is ready!
Sear chicken โ Split the chicken in half horizontally and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Then sear it in the pot for about 1 1/2 minutes on each side, just until the surface is lightly golden. It doesnโt need to be cooked through as weโre going to put it back in the soup broth.
Chop chicken โ Take the chicken out then when itโs cool enough to handle, cut it into small pieces. I do this while Iโm waiting for the broth to come up to the simmer (step 4 below).
Sautรฉ the onion and garlic in the same pot, lowering the heat as needed to ensure the golden brown layer on the base doesnโt burn.
Soup broth โ Add the creamed corn, corn, milk and chicken stock (use the empty cans to measure this out, you need 2 cans of each), plus the salt and pepper. Give it a mix and let it come up to the simmer.
Cook pasta and chicken โ Once the broth starts bubbling, add the pasta and chopped chicken, plus all the chicken juices on the chopping board. Simmer for 3 minutes, or however long the packet says the pasta needs to be cooked for (the broken angel hair pasta Iโm using is only 3 minutes). Stir every now and then.
Cheese and kale โ Add the cheese, and stir to let it melt through. Then add the kale and stir until it is wilted, it barely takes 20 seconds. Then serve!
As with all pasta soups, the pasta will continue to absorb liquid and soften as it sits in the broth, so itโs best enjoyed straight away. If you plan to keep leftovers, I would drain or scoop out all the stuff (pasta, chicken and all), and store the broth separately if itโs practical to do so. If not, at least let the broth and noodles cool down separately before combining back together in a container. The pasta absorbs less liquid when cold so it will not bloat as much.
Hope you enjoy! โ Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup with Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 350 โ 400g/ 12 โ 14oz chicken breast , cut in half horizontally to form 2 thin steaks (Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt
- Pinch of black pepper
For the soup:
- 1/2 onion , finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves , finely minced or minced using garlic crusher
- 400g/14oz can sweet corn , drained (or 2 cups frozen or fresh corn)
- 400g/14oz can creamed corn
- 3 cups chicken stock/broth , low sodium (2 empty cans! Note 2)
- 3 cups milk , full or low fat, dairy or non-dairy (2 empty cans, Note 2)
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups broken angel hair pasta , or other small pasta like risoni/ditalini, or break long strand pasta (Note 2)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese , or tasty cheese, Colby, Monterey jack, or any other flavourful melting cheese
- 3 tightly packed cups kale leaves (torn into bite size pieces) or baby spinach
Sprinkling (optional)
- Something green โ sliced green onion, chopped parsley
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Season chicken โ Sprinkle each side of the chicken with the salt and pepper.
- Sear chicken โ Heat the oil in a large pot over high heat. Put the chicken in and sear each side for 1 1/2 minutes or until light golden, then remove (it doesn't matter if it's not cooked through).
- Make soup broth โ Into the same pot, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until translucent. Add the creamed corn, corn, stock, milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Chop chicken โ Meanwhile, cut the chicken into 1cm / 0.4" cubes.
- Add pasta โ Add the pasta and chicken (and any juices on the cutting board). Cook for 3 minutes (or whatever the pasta cook time is).
- Stir ins โ Add cheese and stir to melt. Add the kale and stir until it wilts.
- Serve immediately, with a little sprinkle of green onion and extra cheese if you want!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Remembering Dozer
The unofficial photo album of a very ordinary week in Life of Dozer, this time 2 years ago. Which, looking back now, feels pretty special. โค๏ธ
I love that last one especially. Me, setting up the camera timer with the hope of getting a lovely picture of us together, giving Dozer a sweet kiss on the cheek. Dozer, meanwhile, more interested in a bird or leaf blowing across the patio. That was so typical. Iโve scoured through 14 years of Dozer photos over the past few months, and one thing has become abundantly clear โ my adoring love for him was very rarely reciprocated on camera. ๐
Both my partner and I have come down with a nasty chest infection and I was able to summon the energy to make this last night.
Such an easy recipe and it has been an absolute life saver.
Easy, delicious and, as my partner aptly described it; โlike a warm hug from the insideโ.
Quick easy mid week light dinner. It went down really well. Another winner Nagi
I made a huge batch of this yesterday and it is delicious! Thanks Nagi for another winner!
A tip with the kale is, I always take it home and give it a good rinse, then put in a bag in the freezer. Once fully frozen, it crushes up into small pieces perfectly! Then I can add it to soup really easily, just taking out the big stems. Lasts for ages and always ready to go!
Awesome tip!
I made this exactly as written and it was delicious! Next time I might add some chilli flakes for extra heat. Definitely an excellent winter soup for our cold Victorian winter! Thanks Nagi & team
Hi Nagi, it doesnโt matter about getting the perfect picture with Dozer. It is about the shared moment/s. Love you both. Mel
Just made this for the first time, and so easy and delicious! Thank you for simple steps, and packed flavour! So much for leftovers too. A windy day tomorrow where I am in for a treat! Canโt wait to make again
Loved the easy method for making this soup. I did add a little Worcestershire sauce at the end for that extra Unami flavour .
No sesame oil, Nagi?
Hey Nagi! Speaking, I guess, for most who live on the northern hemisphere, I thought โwhy would I cook that now?? itโs way too warm!โ ๐๐
But hey, now I can finally try the delicious summer recipes you posted a few months ago ๐คฉ๐ sending lots of love and looking forward to that chinese tomato egg receipe you will post some day ๐
What to do on a cold rainy day when youโre feeling unwell (recovering from pneumonia) and need comfort food? You turn to Nagi for inspiration and then you make this amazing soup. So quick and easy and just perfect. I feel better already!
Made gluten free using vermicelli rice noodles โ delicious!
Yes! Great idea for GF ๐
I made the soup today for a young Gf single mum who has Covid. It did seem a bit thin and bland without pasta. Did you find the rice noodles bulked it up a bit? I was wondering about GF spaghetti, broken into small pieces, but thought it might fall apart??
Looks like great summer soup with fresh corn and greens!
Just made this for lunch, though I will admit, I had a bowl for breakfast. Really solid corn flavour and chowder like thickness to the broth. Added celery and carrots cooked along with the onions. Thanks as always Nagi. p.s. glad to see youโre a barefoot cook like me!
You donโt need to tell any of us how much you love Dozer, and never apologise for showing us your love for him. Many of us have had dogs which have sadly died. I for one used to look forward to seeing Dozerโs daily antics. Seeing your pictures from years gone by, are equally as good. Keep them coming Nagi. Please?
The picture of Dozer in the Armpit Coup is priceless. Truly in his element! As far as PDAs go, he does have his reputation as the Alpha Male to protect! The boy who would be King. Dozerโs like, What do you mean โwould beโ?! Kings are quite used to being adored. ๐๐๐ฅฉ๐๐๐
Hi Nagi, I have thought of you the past week, our 12 year old schnauzer mix passed away. He had congestive heart failure, but did well till a few days before he died. I still see him in all his favorite places! He loved to eat so maybe he and beautiful Dozer can compare favorites! I have always loved your pictures you shared of him.
This recipe sounds lovely!
Thanks
Will definitely try this recipe when we return to cooler months.
I miss seeing Dozerโs daily antics and happy to see your memories captured forever! You are so blessed to have 14 wonderful years together!
I have to delete this post in case my husband sees it. it is early summer here in Minneapolis, US. But he will want maize added to chicken manoomin soup come winter.
And like Dozer, he loves, loves, loves his food lady and you too.
Hi Nagi, this looks amazing as. does everything you share. This is not related but here in Ontario Canada, notably Kingston we have purchased New Zealand Cheesy Beef Pie
made by a local baker. They are delicious! Have you heard of these?
BTWthis is the 3rd time rotation of your amazing Honey Butter Pork recipe in the slow cooker sooooo good! I added a bit of grainy mustard to the last batch.yum!
Take care
Hello from Washington state Nagi! I have been part of your flock for years, own both of your books & Row, Row Row. I love your recipes and your Dozer stories. Having just lost my fur baby of 10 years I thought how wonderful it would be if your next book was for Dozer, your pictures and narrations. Love & Hugs Nagi & Dozer too.