There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of low sodium chicken noodle soup, especially when it’s a healing low-sodium broth like this one. By using fresh veggies, aromatic herbs, and quality chicken, you get all the flavor without the extra salt. Pair it with this low-sodium chicken gravy recipe for extra richness, or try my heart-healthy noodle soup, low-sodium chicken soup, or reduced sodium comfort food for a nourishing meal. Feeling down? A bowl of this will fix it!

This simple low-sodium soup can be made in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re not feeling well. The combination of tender chicken, nutritious vegetables, and comforting noodles creates a wholesome meal that nourishes both your body and soul, all while supporting your heart health goals.

What You’ll Love About this Soup

Heart-healthy comfort food with approximately 75% less sodium than traditional chicken noodle soup recipes
Simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, making this an accessible weeknight meal
Versatile recipe that can be customized to your dietary needs or preferences while maintaining its low-sodium profile

Low Sodium Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe image

Recipe Ingredients

This low sodium chicken noodle soup recipe comes together with simple, wholesome ingredients that create deep flavor without relying on salt:

Olive oil
Onion
Carrots
Celery
Garlic
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Low-sodium chicken broth
Bay leaves
Dried thyme
Black pepper
Low-sodium egg noodles
Fresh parsley (optional)

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Ingredient Notes

Low-sodium chicken broth is essential to this recipe’s success. Regular broths can contain up to 860mg of sodium per cup, while low-sodium versions typically have around 140mg—making a dramatic difference in the soup’s overall sodium content.
Fresh vegetables are key to building flavor without salt. The mirepoix (onion, carrots, and celery) creates a naturally sweet and aromatic base that eliminates the need for excess sodium.
Herbs and spices like thyme, bay leaves, and black pepper add complexity to the broth. Don’t skip these, as they’re crucial for creating a flavorful soup recipe that doesn’t rely on salt.

How to Make Low Sodium Chicken Noodle Soup

This hearty, comforting soup comes together in just a few simple steps. For precise measurements and a printable version, scroll to the recipe card below.

step 1: Heating olive oil in a saucepan, sautéing onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until translucent, then adding thyme

step 2: Heating olive oil in a saucepan, sautéing onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until translucent, then adding thyme. then add water

step 3: Adding chicken broth and bay leaves to the pan, then bringing to a boil on high heat

last step: Adding shredded chicken back to the pot, seasoning with salt and pepper, and garnishing with chopped parsley

Sauté the mirepoix (onions, carrots, and celery) with garlic in olive oil until tender
Add broth, herbs, and whole chicken breasts, then simmer until chicken is cooked through
Cook noodles separately according to package directions
Shred the cooked chicken and return it to the pot
Add cooked noodles to the soup and season with black pepper
Remove bay leaves before serving
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired

Pro Tips

The secret to making this low sodium chicken soup recipe taste amazing without salt is to focus on developing flavor through technique. Cook your vegetables until they begin to caramelize slightly, which brings out their natural sweetness. Also, don’t rush the simmering process—allowing the broth to develop slowly creates a richer flavor profile that doesn’t rely on sodium.

For an even more flavorful broth, consider making your own low sodium chicken stock from scratch using chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs. This gives you complete control over the sodium content while maximizing flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigeration: Store cooled soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. For best results, consider storing the noodles separately from the broth to prevent them from absorbing too much liquid and becoming mushy.
Freezing: This chicken noodle soup freezes beautifully without the noodles. Freeze the broth with vegetables and chicken for up to 3 months, then add fresh noodles when reheating.
Reheating: Warm refrigerated soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot throughout. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Additions & Substitutions

Additions:

Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors without adding sodium
Incorporate leafy greens like spinach or kale in the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrients
Try adding a small amount of grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 teaspoon per serving) for umami flavor with minimal sodium impact

Substitutions:

Replace chicken breasts with boneless, skinless thighs for richer flavor while maintaining the low sodium profile
Swap traditional egg noodles for whole grain pasta, rice, or cauliflower rice for different dietary needs
Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta for a lower-carb version of this chicken soup recipe
Substitute dried herbs with fresh herbs (using three times the amount) for brighter flavor

FAQs about Low Sodium Chicken Noodle Soup

Will a potato remove salt from soup?

Despite popular belief, adding a potato to overly salty soup doesn’t actually remove salt—it simply absorbs some of the liquid along with a proportional amount of salt. Instead, dilute with additional low-sodium broth or water.

How can I make soup taste better without salt?

Enhance flavor with aromatic vegetables (onions, garlic, celery), fresh herbs, a splash of acid (lemon juice or vinegar), and umami-rich ingredients like mushrooms. Toasting spices before adding them also intensifies their flavor.

How do you reduce sodium in homemade soup?

Use low-sodium or no-salt-added broths, fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned, skip salt-containing seasonings, and enhance flavor with herbs, spices, and acid instead of salt.

What Can I Serve with this Noodle Soup?

This low sodium chicken noodle soup makes a complete meal on its own, but pairs beautifully with a simple side salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice or a slice of homemade whole grain bread. For a heartier meal, consider serving alongside a half sandwich made with fresh vegetables and low-sodium fillings.

If you try this low sodium chicken noodle soup recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below or tag me in your soup photos on social media. Your feedback helps other readers and inspires future heart-healthy recipes.

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