How many calories in a cup of chicken soup with noodles?

Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that is enjoyed around the world. It’s warm, filling, and soothing – perfect for a cold winter day or when you’re feeling under the weather. But many people wonder just how many calories are actually in a typical cup of chicken noodle soup. In this article, we’ll break down the calorie content and nutrition information for different types of chicken noodle soup so you know exactly what you’re consuming.

The Calories in Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

When making homemade chicken noodle soup from scratch, the calories can vary widely depending on the specific ingredients used. Here are some general guidelines for calories per 1 cup serving:

  • Chicken broth: around 50 calories
  • Noodles: 150-200 calories for a 1/2 cup of egg noodles
  • Chicken: around 115 calories for 3 oz cooked chicken breast
  • Vegetables: 25-50 calories for 1/2 cup cooked carrots, celery, onions

So in total, a cup of homemade chicken noodle soup featuring chicken broth, noodles, chicken, and mixed vegetables will have approximately 300-400 calories. This number can be lower if using less noodles or chicken, or higher if loading up on noodles or higher calorie ingredients.

Ways to Reduce Calories in Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Use lower calorie vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, spinach
  • Choose a lighter chicken broth with less fat
  • Use thinner egg noodles or substitute low-carb noodles
  • Cut back on oil used for sautéing veggies
  • Use less noodles and chicken
  • Trim fat and skin from chicken before cooking

Calories in Canned Chicken Noodle Soup

Canned chicken noodle soups can provide a quick and convenient option, but watch out for higher sodium levels. Here’s the nutrition breakdown for some popular canned chicken noodle soups:

Canned Chicken Noodle Soup (1 cup) Calories
Campbell’s Condensed 120
Campbell’s Healthy Request 100
Progresso Traditional 130
Amy’s Organic Light in Sodium 110

As you can see, most canned chicken noodle soups range from 100-130 calories per serving. Lower sodium options tend to be on the lower end of that scale.

Tips for Choosing Lower Calorie Canned Soup

  • Look for labels like “light, lower sodium, or healthy request”
  • Choose soups with smaller pasta shapes or thin noodles
  • Avoid soups described as “chunky” or “fully packed” – they likely have more noodles, chicken, and higher calories
  • Select low-fat broth-based soups instead of cream soups
  • Look for soups made with lots of vegetables and lean chicken

Restaurant Chicken Noodle Soup Calories

When dining out, chicken noodle soup can make a great light appetizer or meal. But restaurants often pack their soups with calories from oils, cream, and sodium. Here are some typical calorie counts for chicken noodle soup from popular chains:

Restaurant Chicken Noodle Soup (1 cup) Calories
Panera Bread 170
Olive Garden 340
Chili’s 360
Noodles & Company 320
Chipotle Mexican Grill 270

Restaurant chicken noodle soups often range from 170-360 calories per serving. Your best bet is to choose broth-based soups with lots of veggies and lean protein. Going easy on bread bowls, croutons, and heavy additions like cream can also help minimize calories.

Tips for Ordering Lower Calorie Soup at Restaurants

  • Opt for broth-based soups instead of cream-based
  • Ask how the soup is prepared and choose lower fat cooking methods like boiling over frying
  • Say no to bread bowls, oyster crackers, croutons, and cream toppings
  • Stick to soups with lean chicken breast over dark meat
  • Ask for dressing and oil to be served on the side
  • Choose vegetable-packed soups like minestrone or tomato-basil

Chicken Noodle Soup Calories Per Can

When looking at canned soups, it’s helpful to know the calorie counts for the entire can in addition to per serving. Here are the total calories in some popular canned chicken noodle soups:

Canned Chicken Noodle Soup (whole can) Total Calories
Campbell’s Condensed (10.5 oz) 510
Campbell’s Healthy Request (14.5 oz) 280
Progresso Traditional (19 oz) 440
Amy’s Organic Light in Sodium (14.5 oz) 440

Pay attention to serving sizes, as the calorie count per can can be deceiving. Condensed soups tend to pack more calories per ounce compared to ready-to-serve soups. Choosing lower sodium options can help minimize calories for the entire can.

Homemade vs. Canned vs. Restaurant

So when comparing homemade, canned, and restaurant chicken noodle soup, which is the healthiest option calorie-wise? Here’s a quick recap:

  • Homemade: Around 300-400 calories per serving
  • Canned: 100-130 calories per serving
  • Restaurant: 170-360 calories per serving

Restaurant soups are the highest in calories on average. But homemade soup has the benefit of controlling ingredients and sodium content. Canned soups win for convenience while still being relatively low in calories, if you choose the right options.

Tips for Lowering Calories in Any Chicken Noodle Soup

No matter if you’re whipping up homemade soup, grabbing canned soup, or ordering chicken noodle out – there are some easy ways to cut calories:

  • Use a low-sodium chicken broth as the base
  • Load up on low-calorie vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, spinach
  • Stick to lean chicken breast without skin
  • Limit higher calorie noodles – use egg noodles sparingly or try substitutions like zoodles or rice noodles
  • Say no to heavy cream, oils, butter, and sodium-laden seasonings
  • Boost flavor with garlic, onions, herbs, lemon, pepper instead of salt
  • Avoid thickeners like roux, cornstarch, or heavy cream
  • Choose broth-based over creamy, cheesy, fried versions

Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Noodle Soup

When made with wholesome ingredients, chicken noodle soup provides a good dose of nutrition along with comforting flavor. Here are some of the top nutrients found in a typical serving:

  • Protein: 15-20g from lean chicken
  • Carbs: 15-30g from noodles or veggies
  • Vitamin A: Immune-boosting vitamin A from carrots and celery
  • Vitamin C: Immune support from onions, spinach, tomatoes
  • B Vitamins: Energy production and metabolism from chicken and veggies
  • Sodium: Can vary widely based on broth, limit to 500-800mg per serving
  • Selenium: Antioxidant selenium in chicken supports thyroid and immune health

In addition to vitamins and minerals, the broth provides hydration while the warmth can help clear nasal congestion. Just be mindful of sodium levels, especially with canned soup.

Tips for Increasing Nutrition in Chicken Noodle Soup

To make your chicken noodle soup even healthier, consider these easy nutrition boosts:

  • Use spinach or kale instead of regular noodles for added vitamins
  • Mix in quinoa or brown rice noodles for extra fiber
  • Add immune-boosting garlic, turmeric, and ginger
  • Use lean ground chicken or turkey instead of fatty beef
  • Throw in extra veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, peas
  • Top with a squeeze of lemon for vitamin C
  • Sprinkle with parsley, dill, or cilantro for phytonutrients

Low Calorie Chicken Noodle Soup Recipes

Here are some delicious slimmed-down recipes for healthy homemade chicken noodle soup:

Skinny Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

This easy crockpot soup cooks while you’re away and is full of veggies. Ditch the cream and let the broth shine.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups chopped carrots
  • 2 cups chopped celery
  • 1 chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups chopped kale
  • 1 cup whole wheat noodles

Directions:

  1. Add chicken, broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and pepper to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
  2. Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return to slow cooker.
  3. Add kale and noodles. Cook for 20 more minutes until noodles are tender.
  4. Remove bay leaf before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Zoodle Chicken “Noodle” Soup

For a low-carb, lighter option – swap traditional noodles for spiralized zucchini zoodles.

Ingredients:

  • 48 ounces reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf

Directions:

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, add chicken broth, chicken, spiralized zucchini, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, oregano, and bay leaf.
  2. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
  3. Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to pot.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, and more herbs if desired. Serve soup hot.

The Best Options for Weight Loss

When trying to lose weight, chicken noodle soup can be a healthy option if you choose wisely. Here are some of the best low calorie recipes and tips:

  • Opt for broth-based soups over creamy versions
  • Load up on non-starchy vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes
  • Use spiralized veggies instead of pasta for lower carb “zoodles”
  • Choose soups with lots of fiber from beans, lentils, barley
  • Avoid fried and breaded soups like wonton soup or matzo ball soup
  • Be mindful of sodium levels to avoid bloating and water retention
  • Say no to heavy additions like bread bowls, crackers, oyster crackers
  • Stick to lean chicken breast without skin
  • Flavor with herbs and lemon instead of cream, oil, and butter

With some simple substitutions and smart choices, chicken noodle soup can be a nourishing, budget-friendly option that provides comfort without the excess calories.

Conclusion

Chicken noodle soup is a beloved comfort food, but the calorie count can range widely. Homemade versions clock in around 300-400 calories for a one cup serving. Canned soups contain 100-130 calories per serving, while restaurant soups average 170-360 calories. Controlling ingredients and avoiding add-ons like bread bowls and heavy cream are the best ways to minimize calories. Chicken noodle soup can provide protein, hydration, and immunity-boosting nutrients. When made with lots of vegetables and lean chicken, it can be a healthy option – just keep portion sizes in check and be mindful of extras that boost the calorie count.

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