Is Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Healthy for Kids?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published in the journal Chest, chicken soup has mild anti-inflammatory effects that can help ease cold symptoms. This time-honored comfort food raises a common question for parents: is chicken noodle soup healthy for kids? The answer depends heavily on the ingredients and preparation.

Quick Summary

Homemade chicken noodle soup can be a very healthy meal for kids, offering hydration, protein, and nutrients. The key lies in controlling ingredients, minimizing sodium, and maximizing fresh vegetables. It's particularly beneficial when a child is sick, as it helps soothe sore throats and clear congestion.

Key Points

Homemade is Healthier: Homemade chicken noodle soup is far healthier for kids than store-bought, which is often loaded with excessive sodium and preservatives.
Supports Immune Function: Protein from the chicken, and vitamins from vegetables like carrots and celery, provide key nutrients that support a child's immune system.
Excellent Hydration: The warm broth is a great way to keep kids hydrated, especially when they are sick and at risk of dehydration.
Soothes Symptoms: The warm steam from the soup can help relieve nasal congestion, and the warm broth soothes a sore throat, offering comfort during illness.
Easy to Customize: Homemade soup allows you to control all ingredients, customize flavor for picky eaters, and use whole-grain noodles for added fiber.
Use Whole Foods: Maximize nutrition by using real, fresh ingredients instead of processed alternatives found in many canned versions.

Why Chicken Noodle Soup is More Than Just a Comfort Food

For generations, chicken noodle soup has been the go-to remedy for colds, sniffles, and upset tummies. But is this traditional wisdom backed by science, especially when it comes to a child's health? The answer is a resounding yes, with a few important caveats. A homemade version, unlike many high-sodium canned options, can provide a powerful dose of hydration and nutrients essential for a developing and recovering body.

The Nutritional Benefits of Homemade Soup

When made from scratch with wholesome ingredients, chicken noodle soup is a nutritional powerhouse for kids. The components work together to support a child's immune system and aid recovery during illness.

Hydrating Broth: The liquid base of the soup is crucial for keeping a child hydrated, which is especially important when they are running a fever or have diarrhea. The warm steam also helps to clear stuffy noses and respiratory congestion.
Lean Protein: The chicken provides a high-quality, lean protein source. This is vital for building and repairing body tissues, as well as supporting immune cell function.
Immune-Boosting Vegetables: Ingredients like carrots, celery, and onions are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamins A and C. These nutrients help to build a strong immune system and fight off infections.
Energy-Providing Carbohydrates: The noodles, particularly whole-grain options, provide carbohydrates that give your child the energy needed for their brain and muscles, which is especially beneficial when their appetite is low.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: A Nutritional Comparison

Not all chicken noodle soups are created equal. The most significant difference lies in the ingredients and preparation, particularly the sodium content.


Feature	Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup	Store-Bought Chicken Noodle Soup
Sodium Content	Fully controllable, can be very low.	Often excessively high, sometimes containing over half a child's daily recommended intake in one serving.
Ingredients	Uses fresh, whole ingredients like real vegetables and lean chicken.	May contain artificial flavors, preservatives, and high levels of refined grains.
Nutrient Density	Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from fresh produce and homemade broth.	Often lower in nutrient density due to processing and minimal vegetables.
Broth Quality	Can be made with nutrient-dense homemade bone broth containing collagen and amino acids.	Typically uses a standard broth that lacks the deep nutritional profile of homemade stock.
Additives	Free from harmful preservatives and additives.	May contain BPA from can linings and other processed ingredients.

How to Create a Healthier Chicken Noodle Soup for Your Kids

Making a nutrient-rich soup at home is surprisingly simple and allows for maximum customization based on your child's preferences. Start with a good quality, low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth as the base. You can make your own bone broth by simmering chicken bones with water and vegetables for several hours to extract maximum nutrients, including collagen and minerals. For a quicker option, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and low-sodium store-bought broth.

To increase the vegetable content, finely dice carrots, celery, and onions to make them less noticeable for picky eaters. Consider adding other kid-friendly vegetables like peas, corn, or spinach near the end of cooking for extra vitamins and color. For the noodles, opt for whole-grain varieties to boost fiber and provide sustained energy. Spices like garlic, turmeric, and fresh herbs add flavor and additional immune-boosting properties. Remember to season carefully, tasting the broth before adding more salt.

What to Do for the Picky Eaters

Sometimes kids are resistant to new textures or visible vegetables. To get around this, you can:

Puree the vegetables: Blend cooked vegetables with a small amount of broth until smooth and stir back into the soup. The flavor and nutrients are there, but the texture is not.
Keep it simple: Offer a minimalist soup with just the broth, small, kid-preferred pasta, and finely shredded chicken. Serve the vegetables on the side so they can try them without pressure.
Use fun shapes: Use fun-shaped pasta, like mini shells or alphabet noodles, to make the meal more appealing.

The Verdict: A Healthy Choice, When Prepared Right

In conclusion, homemade chicken noodle soup is a healthy and nourishing meal for children. It offers a balanced mix of hydrating fluid, lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and immune-supporting vitamins and minerals. The key is to avoid the high sodium and additives found in many canned varieties by making it fresh at home. Whether your child is sick or simply needs a warm, comforting meal, a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup is a choice that is both nutritious and full of love.

Making Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: Recipe and Tips

This authoritative link provides a useful starting point for making a delicious and healthy chicken noodle soup from scratch, emphasizing fresh ingredients and balanced nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most canned chicken noodle soups are not ideal for kids as they are very high in sodium and often contain preservatives. A homemade version is a much healthier option where you can control the salt and ingredients.

To make the soup more appealing, you can finely dice or puree the vegetables so they blend in. Using fun-shaped pasta, like alphabet noodles or mini shells, can also make it more engaging for kids.

While chicken noodle soup won't cure a cold, it can help manage symptoms and support the body during recovery. The warm broth soothes a sore throat and helps clear congestion, while the nutrients aid the immune system.

Yes, using low-sodium or homemade broth is a recommended way to make the soup healthier for kids. This helps control the overall salt intake, which is crucial for children.

Opt for whole-grain noodles or small pasta shapes like ditalini, pastina, or mini elbows. Whole-grain options provide more fiber and sustained energy.

If a child has an upset stomach, the easily digestible nature of homemade chicken noodle soup makes it a good option. The broth can also be sipped on its own for hydration if solid foods are not tolerated well.

Beyond cold symptoms, the nutrients in homemade soup contribute to a healthy diet year-round. Bone broth contains collagen and minerals that can support gut health and bone growth.