“Yup, everything is going to be okay.” These comforting words from Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman herself, after her first taste of this recipe, immediately signaled that this was a dish worth exploring. Drawn to the idea of childhood comfort classics, I recently tuned into The Pioneer Woman in search of recipes that could provide warmth and coziness during the lingering days of winter. Among the delightful dishes featured, one stood out, calling to mind a familiar favorite from my own childhood: Chicken Noodle Soup.
Growing up, chicken noodle soup was the ultimate comfort food. Whether it was to warm up after playing in the snow or as a soothing remedy when feeling under the weather, my mom always knew that chicken noodle soup was the answer. Sometimes, if I was lucky, it would be her homemade version, complete with chewy egg noodles, a taste that closely mirrored the best chicken noodle soup I’ve ever had. On busier days, canned chicken noodle soup was a convenient and still comforting alternative, especially when paired with saltine crackers. It was a simple bowl that made everything feel right in the world.
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The Pioneer Woman’s Unique Take: Chicken-Free Chicken Noodle Stew
It turns out, my nostalgic love for chicken noodle soup resonates with Ree Drummond as well. As the Food Network team introduces her recipe for Retro Noodle Soup, they mention, “As a girl, Ree used to love canned chicken noodle soup, but she would always leave behind the chicken.” This insight reveals the inspiration behind her unique creation: a homemade soup that captures the essence of chicken flavor through bouillon cubes, but intentionally omits the meat. Instead, she elevates the noodle experience by using linguine, crafting what she considers her perfect comfort food.
Reflecting on my own childhood fondness for canned chicken noodle soup, I realize that the chicken itself wasn’t the main attraction. The true appeal lay in the slurpy noodles, the deeply savory and steaming broth, and those tender, buttery-soft carrot coins – which were always my favorite part! Ree Drummond seems to understand this perfectly, focusing on these key elements to deliver a comforting and flavorful experience.
Fans of Ree Drummond’s Retro Noodle Soup enthusiastically agree with her approach. The recipe boasts a five-star rating and glowing reviews. One reviewer shared, “Perfect!!! I loved it so much and [it’s] so easy to make! I got sick, and it was truly healing.” Another home cook added, “This was the best no-chicken chicken noodle soup ever. It reminded me and my husband of the canned soup we grew up on. Making it again today.” These testimonials highlight the recipe’s success in capturing that nostalgic comfort food feeling while being incredibly simple to prepare.
Intrigued and tempted by the positive feedback, especially the claim that this soup recipe takes only 25 minutes to make, I decided to check my pantry. Discovering a stash of saltine crackers sealed the deal. And when I noticed that Ree’s chicken-free soup was designed to make just 2 servings, perfect for a solo meal, I knew I had to try it. Saltines or not, I was ready to dive into making Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Stew.
Making Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Stew: A Simple Recipe
This recipe is surprisingly straightforward, relying on pantry staples to create a deeply satisfying bowl of comfort. The absence of chicken simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor, making it an ideal choice for a quick and easy meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ small white onion, diced
- 2 small stalks celery, thinly sliced
- One 8 ¼-ounce can sliced carrots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 6 ounces linguine
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more as needed
- Kosher salt
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, cold
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
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Directions
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, thinly sliced celery, canned sliced carrots, and minced garlic. Stir and cook until the vegetables soften, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using canned carrots is a clever shortcut, as Ree Drummond points out, “carrots are such a hard vegetable, and they really do take quite a while to soften.”
- Pour in the low-sodium chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the chicken bouillon cube, lightly breaking it up as it dissolves into the broth. The bouillon is key to achieving that rich chicken flavor without any actual chicken.
- Add the linguine pasta to the boiling broth and cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are al dente, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. The linguine adds a delightful texture and heartiness to the soup.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the black pepper, kosher salt to taste, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and cold butter. The lemon juice brightens the flavors, while the cold butter adds a touch of richness and velvety texture to the broth. Stir until the butter is fully incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. The parsley adds a fresh, vibrant finish to the comforting soup.
Recipe courtesy of The Pioneer Woman
My Verdict on Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Stew
Ree Drummond herself acknowledges that this dish might blur the lines between soup and pasta, noting, “‘is this soup, or is this a pasta dish?’ because there are so many noodles in it.” After making and tasting it myself, accompanied by those trusty saltine crackers, I wholeheartedly agree. It beautifully straddles both categories, delivering a comforting and satisfying experience that truly delighted my inner child.
This Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Stew, or Retro Noodle Soup, is a winner. It’s quick, easy, flavorful, and perfectly hits those nostalgic comfort food cravings. If you, like me, have a soft spot for savory noodle soups, I highly recommend giving Ree Drummond’s recipe a try. You might also enjoy exploring other comforting noodle soup variations like Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup and the fun Copycat Chicken Noodle-O Soup. This Pioneer Woman recipe is a fantastic way to bring cozy comfort to your table any time of year.
