Reames Chicken Noodle Soup

Introduction: Why Reames Chicken Noodle Soup Works

Reames Chicken Noodle Soup is a beloved classic for good reason.
This version uses Reames frozen egg noodles, which produce a velvety texture and reliably tender bite that few other noodles can match.
Whether you're cooking for a chilly evening, nursing a cold, or serving a family gathering, this recipe provides deep flavor with minimal fuss. The base of slow-simmered chicken, aromatic vegetables, and a clear, savory broth lets the Reames noodles shine: they absorb flavor without turning mushy and maintain their shape through reheating.
In this article you'll find a detailed ingredient list, step-by-step cooking instructions, practical tips to avoid overcooking the noodles, low-sodium and gluten-free adaptations, serving suggestions, and storage advice so your soup stays fresh and delicious for days.
This recipe is designed to be accessible for home cooks of all levels: it uses common pantry staples, standard kitchen tools, and a straightforward cooking timeline. Expect a comforting, restaurant-quality bowl with golden broth, tender chicken, and perfectly textured Reames noodles.
Read on to learn how to bring this classic to your table with confidence and a few professional tips that keep the flavors bright and balanced.

What Are Reames Noodles and Why Use Them?

Reames noodles are frozen egg noodles widely used in home and commercial kitchens for soups and casseroles.
Made primarily from enriched flour and eggs, these noodles are flash-frozen to preserve texture and flavor. The result is a pasta that cooks quickly and consistently, with a tender chew that stands up well in brothy dishes.
There are a few reasons to choose Reames for chicken noodle soup:

• Texture retention: Unlike dried noodles, which can become soft and fall apart after extended simmering, Reames remain intact and maintain a pleasant mouthfeel.
• Speed: Because they're partially precooked before freezing, they require much less time to reach perfect doneness.
• Consistency: Frozen noodles offer uniform quality across batches, which is ideal for feeding crowds or prepping ahead.

Reames noodles pair exceptionally well with clear chicken broth because their subtle egg flavor complements rather than competes with the soup's aromatics. Home cooks often prefer them for hearty, home-style soups and for recipes where reheating is likely, since the noodles won't disintegrate as easily as fresh or dried pasta.
When selecting Reames noodles for your soup, look for the package size that matches your needs—smaller families may use a single bag, while larger gatherings can benefit from multiple packages to ensure every bowl gets a generous portion.

Gathering Ingredients (Shopping List)

Ingredients for Reames Chicken Noodle Soup
Below is a clear shopping list for making a rich, comforting pot of soup that serves 6–8. Adjust quantities if you double or halve the recipe.

• 3–4 pounds bone-in chicken (thighs, a mix of thighs and breasts, or a whole chicken)
• 2 cups chopped carrots (about 3–4 medium)
• 2 cups chopped celery (about 4 stalks)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf and a few sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
• 8–10 cups low-sodium chicken broth or a mix of broth and water
• 1 (12–16 oz) package Reames frozen egg noodles
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter for sautéing
• Optional: fresh parsley, lemon juice, or a pinch of nutmeg

Shopping tips:

• Choose high-quality low-sodium broth to control salt levels—it's easier to add salt later than to fix an overly salty soup.
• If you prefer a lighter soup, use chicken breasts and skim fat after chilling the broth.
• For deeper flavor, consider roasting the chicken and vegetables briefly before simmering.

Having these ingredients ready before you start will streamline the cooking process and ensure the flavors build steadily. Now you’re ready to move on to the hands-on cooking steps.

Cooking Process: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Build the broth
Start with a large stockpot and heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until the onion is translucent and the vegetables begin to soften—about 6–8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
Step 2: Add chicken and liquid
Place the bone-in chicken into the pot and pour in 8–10 cups of low-sodium chicken broth (or a combination of broth and water). Add a bay leaf and thyme, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Skim any foam from the surface during the first 10 minutes of simmering. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 25–35 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender.
Step 3: Shred the chicken
Remove the chicken to a cutting board, allow it to cool slightly, then shred the meat, discarding bones and skin. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
Step 4: Add Reames noodles
Stir in the Reames frozen egg noodles and simmer according to package directions—typically 6–10 minutes—until the noodles are tender but still slightly firm. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf and add fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon if desired to brighten flavors.
Serve hot in warmed bowls and garnish with additional parsley or cracked black pepper.

Chef Tips: Avoiding Soggy Noodles and Maximizing Flavor

Key techniques to keep your Reames Chicken Noodle Soup bright and perfectly textured
The single most common pitfall with noodle soups is overcooked or soggy pasta. Reames noodles are forgiving but still benefit from careful timing.

• Add noodles last: Only add frozen noodles after the chicken is cooked and shredded; this prevents the noodles from breaking down during prolonged simmering.
• Control heat: Maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil when the noodles are in the pot—vigorous boiling agitates the noodles and releases starch, making the broth cloudy.
• Season gradually: Use low-sodium broth and add salt in stages. Taste as you go, especially after reducing the broth and after adding noodles.
• Layer flavor: Roast or brown your chicken briefly before simmering for a richer broth, or sauté the veggies until well-caramelized for deeper sweetness.

Additional tips:

• Aromatics: Add a stalk of celery and carrot and some peppercorns to the broth while simmering for subtle complexity, then remove before serving.
• Acidity: A teaspoon of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar at the end brightens the entire pot.
• Finish with herbs: Fresh parsley or chives added off-heat preserves color and freshness.

Follow these tips and your Reames noodles will remain tender with a pleasing bite while the broth stays clear and flavorful.

Variations and Dietary Adaptations

Make the recipe your own
Reames Chicken Noodle Soup is versatile—small swaps yield big differences in flavor and accommodate dietary needs.

• Lower fat: Use skinless chicken breasts and skim fat after chilling the broth for a lighter bowl.
• Gluten-free option: Traditional Reames noodles contain gluten; replace them with a certified gluten-free frozen noodle alternative or use a gluten-free pasta that holds up to simmering.
• Whole grain: If you prefer whole grain, choose a whole-wheat pasta and add it at the end, tracking cooking time closely.
• Vegetable-forward: Omit chicken for a vegetarian base using mushroom or vegetable broth, and substitute firm tofu or hearty beans for protein.
• Herb and spice twists: Add dill for a Scandinavian note, or ginger and a splash of soy sauce for an Asian-inspired variation.

Scaling and timing advice:

• To serve a crowd, double the broth and vegetables, and add additional packages of Reames noodles only at the end to prevent clumping.
• Meal prep: Cook the full recipe but keep the noodles separate when refrigerating—combine and warm gently when serving to keep texture optimal.

These variations make the recipe adaptable for weeknight meals, special diets, or when you want to experiment with global flavors without sacrificing the comforting essence of classic chicken noodle soup.

Serving Suggestions and Presentation

How to serve your Reames Chicken Noodle Soup like a pro
Presentation elevates the eating experience even for a humble soup. Serve in warmed bowls to keep the soup hot longer, and offer garnishes so diners can customize their bowls.

• Garnish options: chopped fresh parsley, sliced green onions, cracked black pepper, a fresh lemon wedge, or a drizzle of good olive oil.
• Texture contrasts: Add a small side of toasted bread, buttered croutons, or a cheddar biscuit to complement the silky noodles.
• Accompaniments: A simple green salad with vinaigrette balances the richness of the broth; roasted vegetables make the meal heartier.

Portioning tips:

• For family meals, ladle generous portions into bowls and place garnishes family-style for a relaxed feel.
• For guests, pre-warm bowls in an oven at low temperature and pre-measure garnishes in small ramekins for a polished presentation.

Final touches:

• Fresh herbs added off-heat will keep their color and fragrance.
• A light squeeze of lemon just before serving brightens the flavors and enhances the broth's aroma.

With these serving suggestions, your Reames Chicken Noodle Soup will look as inviting as it tastes, perfect for casual family dinners or comforting care when someone needs a warm bowl of goodness.

Storage, Reheating, and Meal Prep

Storing your soup properly preserves flavor and noodle texture
Reames Chicken Noodle Soup stores well when handled intentionally to avoid soggy noodles.

• Refrigeration: Cool the soup to room temperature within two hours, then refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3–4 days. If possible, store the broth with chicken and vegetables separate from the noodles to retain texture.
• Freezing: Freeze the broth, shredded chicken, and vegetables in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Do not freeze the Reames noodles fully cooked; instead, freeze the soup without noodles or cook noodles slightly underdone, cool, and freeze separately for best results.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat until steaming—avoid rapid boiling which can overcook noodles. If noodles were refrigerated separately, add them to the hot broth at the end and warm for a few minutes.

Meal prep strategies:

• Make-ahead broth: Prepare a large batch of chicken broth using roasted chicken bones and vegetables, then portion and freeze for quick future meals.
• Batch-cooking: For weekly lunches, keep broth and meat portioned and freeze single-serve noodle portions; assemble and reheat as needed.

Troubleshooting common storage issues:

• If noodles become too soft after storage, refresh the soup with a small handful of fresh or frozen noodles and simmer briefly.
• If broth tastes muted after refrigeration, brighten it with a squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar and a pinch of salt when reheating.

With these storage and reheating practices, you can enjoy consistent quality from the first bowl to the last.

FAQs — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Reames Chicken Noodle Soup

• Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
  A: Yes. Boneless chicken breasts or thighs work fine; reduce simmer time slightly to prevent drying. However, bone-in chicken gives a richer broth.
• Q: How long do Reames noodles take to cook?
  A: Typically 6–10 minutes when added to simmering soup, but check package instructions and taste for desired doneness.
• Q: Can I make this soup vegetarian?
  A: Replace chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas and use a robust vegetable or mushroom broth; roast vegetables for added depth.
• Q: Why is my broth cloudy?
  A: Vigorous boiling, skimming neglected foam, or releasing excess starch from overcooked noodles can cloud broth. Maintain a gentle simmer and add noodles near the end.
• Q: Can I freeze the finished soup with the noodles?
  A: It's best to freeze the soup without noodles or freeze noodles separately; cooked noodles can become mushy when thawed.
• Q: How can I make the flavor bolder?
  A: Roast the chicken and vegetables before simmering, simmer longer for concentrated flavor, or finish with a little soy sauce or a splash of lemon.

Still have questions? Try one of the tips above and adjust to your taste—this recipe is forgiving and intended as a base for your personal touches.