There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of soup that brightens your day. This Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe combines zesty lemon, tender chicken, and delicate angel hair pasta into a cozy meal that feels both fresh and fulfilling in every spoonful.

A green pot filled with a light yellow chicken noodle soup sits on a white marbled surface, featuring a mix of thin noodles, small round orange carrot slices, and shredded white chicken pieces floating in the broth. Three thin lemon slices rest on the side of the soup near the top edge, adding a bright yellow accent. A large silver ladle with a reflective surface is placed inside the pot on the right side, touching the soup. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe has been a favorite for chilly evenings and busy weeknights alike—it's the perfect combo of bright, savory, and hearty. I love sharing it because it’s super approachable yet delivers layers of flavor that impress every time.

Zesty & Comforting: The fresh lemon juice cuts through the richness and creates a flavor that’s both uplifting and soothing.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With a few pantry staples and fresh produce, you get a soup that tastes like it took hours to prepare.
Easy One-Pot Prep: Minimal fuss, mostly hands-off simmering, making this ideal for busy cooks who want a homemade meal.
Customizable Comfort: Whether you want to add greens or swap the pasta, this recipe flexes to fit your taste and pantry.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe plays a flavorful part—from the bright, tangy lemon juice to the umami boost of Parmesan rind. Together, they create a balanced broth with the perfect depth for tender chicken and pasta to shine.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a whole boneless skinless chicken breast with a natural pale pink color, a lemon pepper seasoning mix in a white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear pale yellow dry white wine, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy pale yellow butter, a fresh small yellow onion whole and uncut, a few fresh bright orange diced carrot pieces arranged neatly, two fresh green celery sticks diced, three whole fresh garlic cloves peeled, a large white ceramic bowl filled with clear golden chicken broth, one whole uncracked light brown chicken bouillon cube placed next to a small white ceramic bowl of dark amber soy sauce, one fresh whole lemon cut in half with visible juicy pulp, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with finely grated pale yellow Parmesan cheese, a wedge of pale ivory Parmesan rind, a neat bundle of uncooked delicate angel hair pasta nests, small heaps of dried green parsley, basil, and oregano herbs arranged symmetrically, a small mound of fine yellow mustard powder, and a pinch of bright yellow turmeric powder, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil adds richness and helps to brown the chicken beautifully for more flavor.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Lean and tender, ideal for shredding or dicing once cooked.
Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Adds a fragrant citrus-spiced flavor that elevates the chicken.
Dry White Wine: Brings subtle acidity and complexity, pairing wonderfully with the lemon.
Butter: Adds silkiness and helps soften the veggies.
Yellow Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base veggies for sweetness, texture, and aromatics.
Garlic: Provides a punchy, savory element.
Chicken Broth: The flavorful backbone of the soup.
Chicken Bouillon Cube: Intensifies the broth’s savory notes.
Soy Sauce: A sneaky umami enhancer without tasting soy.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Essential for that bright, lemony character.
Parmesan Cheese & Rind: Melts into the soup, adding a creamy, savory depth you’ll crave.
Angel Hair Pasta: Delicate and quick-cooking, perfect for serving alongside the soup without turning mushy.
Seasonings (Parsley, Basil, Oregano, Mustard Powder, Turmeric): Layer herbs and subtle spices that round out the flavor profile.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I enjoy mixing things up with this soup, especially by adding greens or swapping up the pasta shape depending on what I have on hand. You should totally make it your own—there’s lots of room to experiment without losing that classic lemon-chicken goodness.

Variation: Sometimes I toss in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering—adds beautiful color and nutrition without fuss.
Make it gluten-free: Swap angel hair pasta with gluten-free noodles or even rice for a similar comforting base.
More hearty: Adding sautéed mushrooms or small diced potatoes can bulk it up for a more filling meal.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe

A white bowl filled with clear yellow broth soup sits on a white marbled surface. Inside the soup are soft slices of yellow potato floating on top, along with round orange carrot slices, tender pieces of light beige chicken, and thin white noodles tangled throughout. Small green herb bits are sprinkled all over the soup, adding tiny flecks of color. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, partially submerged in the broth. The background has a soft focus of green herbs and a white cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by slicing thick chicken breasts lengthwise if needed, then pat dry and season both sides generously with lemon pepper seasoning. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side, aiming for a golden brown crust. This step locks in flavor and keeps the chicken juicy. Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked inside; you’ll simmer it later.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies and Deglaze

Pour the white wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up all the tasty browned bits with a spatula. Then add butter, diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until the veggies soften and the wine reduces by half—this usually takes about 5-6 minutes. These steps create a flavorful foundation for your soup.

Step 3: Build Your Broth

Next, add the seasoned combination of chicken broth, bouillon, soy sauce, lemon juice, and herbs from earlier. Toss in the Parmesan rind for extra savory depth. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection

Return the seared chicken to the pot and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This step finishes cooking the chicken and lets all those flavors marry into a delicious broth you’ll want to sip straight from the pot.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta Separately

Boil angel hair pasta in salted water according to package instructions—usually about 4 minutes. Drain well and add it to serving bowls instead of the soup pot to prevent mushiness. This trick ensures your noodles stay perfectly tender when it’s time to eat.

Step 6: Finish the Soup

Take the soup off the heat and gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and silky. Remove any leftover rind pieces. Taste and adjust salt or pepper to your liking. Now you’re ready to ladle the steaming soup over the pasta bowls and garnish as you please.

Top Tip

From my experience, the best way to keep this soup tasting fresh and avoid soggy noodles is to keep the pasta separate until serving. Trust me—once I started doing this, my soup nights improved dramatically!

Cook Pasta Separately: Avoid adding pasta directly into the soup pot to prevent it from absorbing all the broth and getting mushy.
Don’t Skip the Parmesan Rind: Tossing in the rind while simmering adds a subtle, rich umami flavor that makes a huge difference.
Sear Chicken Well: A nice golden crust on your chicken boosts the overall taste and texture, so don’t rush this step.
Adjust Lemon to Taste: I usually add extra fresh lemon juice at the end if I want a punchier brightness—feel free to tweak this to your liking.

How to Serve Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my bowl with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and a little extra grated Parmesan cheese for richness. A few red pepper flakes add a nice little kick too if you’re feeling adventurous.

Side Dishes

Simple crusty bread or garlic breadsticks pair perfectly to soak up the flavorful broth. A fresh green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette also balances the meal nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving the soup in clear glass bowls to show off the vibrant colors. You can also double up the parsley and lemon zest as festive garnishes, making the presentation extra cheerful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping pasta separate here is a game-changer because it doesn’t get soggy or fall apart overnight.

Freezing

This soup freezes well—just skip freezing the pasta. Freeze the broth and chicken in portioned containers for up to 3 months, then boil fresh angel hair when ready to eat.

Reheating

Reheat the soup gently on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Add freshly cooked pasta to the bowl before ladling the soup on top. This keeps the pasta texture just right.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will make the soup even more tender and flavorful. Just adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through before shredding or dicing.

Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?

You can, but the soup won’t have quite the same depth of flavor. To boost it, add extra umami seasonings like soy sauce or nutritional yeast when using vegetable broth.

Why do I cook the pasta separately?

Cooking pasta separately and adding it to serving bowls prevents it from soaking up all the broth and becoming mushy, especially if the soup sits for a while. This keeps your noodles perfectly tender.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Sear the chicken on the stove first, then add all ingredients except the Parmesan cheese and pasta to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add cheese at the end and cook pasta separately before serving.

Final Thoughts

Making this Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Recipe always reminds me why simple, heartfelt recipes are the best kind. It’s easy to prepare but leaves everyone at the table feeling nurtured and satisfied. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—and that it becomes your go-to for a soul-warming meal that brightens any day.