The Best Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup!

Why you will love this recipe…

• It tastes like real chicken noodle soup!
• It hits the spot on those winter days when fighting a cold or the flu!
• Chicken noodle soup just like your mom would have made for you when you were sick, but with no animal ingredients!
• A savory broth with herbs and turmeric and hearty bites of “chicken” and noodles.
• You can make it gluten-free and/or soy free too to fit your dietary needs.
• It’s simply delicious vegan comfort food at it’s best!

What do you use for the “chicken” substitute?

It’s not real chicken of course! My favorite vegan chicken replacement to use in this soup is Butler Soy Curls! (They are dehydrated soy protein that has a taste and texture that is unbelievably close to chicken when they are re-hydrated in the broth). Soy Curls are also gluten-free, which is great for people who avoid gluten.

How do I make vegan chicken noodle soup?

1. Start by sauteing a diced onion in olive oil on very low heat and sprinkle with some salt.
2. Sauté the onion very slowly so it gives it a slight sweetness to the broth.
3. While the onion is slowly cooking, chop up the celery and carrots. Then toss them in after the onion has become slightly translucent.
4. Give it a stir and add the herbs and spices. (If you’re sick, you may want to double the turmeric for the anti-inflammatory effects).
5. Then add the water and Not Chick’n broth cubes and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. You can use any vegan chicken flavored broth, but this is my favorite. (Soy curls soak up the broth so reduce the water by 1 cup if you are not using soy curls).
6. Once the veggies are soft, add the butler soy curls, stir and simmer for 5 more minutes.
7. Finally, dump in 2 cups of dry noodles of your choice. (I like to use the Schär brand noodles when I make this gluten-free.  I found that they hold together the best). Allow the soup to simmer for about 8-10 more minutes until the noodles are just barely cooked, then turn off the heat. (Gluten-free noodles will start to fall apart if they are cooked too long).
8. If you like the taste of fresh parsley, chop up a handful and toss it in at the end to give it an added boost of nutrients and a fresh flavor!

And you’re done! You have just made the best vegan chicken noodle soup ever!

Extra tips:

Where can I find Butler Soy Curls?

I used to get mine at a local natural foods store or order them on Amazon. Now, I order them directly from Butler Foods. My family loves soy curls and we go through a lot, so I just buy a huge 12-pound box. This way we have plenty on hand to make vegan soy jerky, vegan Buffalo chicken sandwiches, vegan pulled pork sandwiches, or vegan green chile stew.

If I don’t want to use soy curls, what can I use?

There are many different types of vegan “chicken” out there and most will work well in this soup. If you need it to be gluten-free, but you also want soy free as well, you can use a package of Beyond Meat chicken strips. If you don’t need to be gluten-free, chicken flavored seitan is delicious in this soup!

What gluten-free noodles work best in the soup?

I have tried nearly every brand of gluten-free noodles that they make. Different brands are good for different things. In soups, the Schär brand is my favorite. It holds together better than any other gluten-free brand that I have tried. You can also use any brand with corn or quinoa in it, they also stay firmer in soups. I would not recommend using brown rice pasta. They get very mushy and fall apart.
Note:  This is not a sponsored post. I am simply recommending the brands that I use and love.

Want another great soup to eat when you are sick?

Make this Easy Vegan Tom Yum extra spicy and clear out your sinuses!