Snow Day Soup: Cozy, Creamy, and Ready in Minutes

There’s something about a snow day that makes you crave warmth — not just from a blanket, but from a bowl. That’s how my Snow Day Soup was born. It started one winter afternoon when Minnesota snow piled higher than the porch steps, and the kids came inside with red cheeks and frozen fingers. I needed something quick, filling, and cozy — something that made the house smell like home. I grabbed what I had: chicken broth, vegetables, noodles, and a splash of cream. Within 30 minutes, we were all gathered around steaming bowls, thawing out from the inside. Now, this Snow Day Soup is a winter tradition, right up there with our Cheesy Beef and Potato Soup and Chicken Corn Chowder.

If you love easy one-pot meals that warm you through, this soup will be your go-to on chilly afternoons. It’s creamy, hearty, and packed with familiar flavors that make every spoonful taste like comfort.

Snow Day Soup

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A cozy, creamy, one-pot winter soup loaded with tender chicken, vegetables, noodles, and a splash of cream. Created on a snowy afternoon and now a cold‑weather family tradition, this comforting bowl warms you from the inside out.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6 bowls

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American, American Comfort

Calories: 340

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 2 cups egg noodles (or any pasta)
• 1 cup milk or half-and-half
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• salt to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas or corn (optional)
• shredded cheddar or parmesan (optional topping)
• fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• large pot or Dutch oven
• cutting board and knife
• ladle
• wooden spoon or spatula

Method

 

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Pour in chicken broth and add thyme, pepper, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil and let the flavors blend for about 10 minutes.
3. Add shredded chicken and noodles. Cook until noodles are tender, about 7–8 minutes.
4. Lower the heat and slowly pour in milk and heavy cream. Stir gently and let the soup thicken slightly. Do not boil.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley or cheese. Serve warm with bread or rolls.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 22gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 610mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 5200IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 1.6mg

Notes

Add noodles near the end to keep them from getting mushy. For extra creaminess, stir in a spoonful of cream cheese. To freeze the soup, prepare it without adding cream or milk—stir dairy in after reheating for the smoothest texture.

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Why You’ll Love Snow Day Soup

Snow Day Soup is the perfect mix of practicality and comfort. It’s made with simple pantry ingredients — chicken, vegetables, noodles, and cream — but it tastes like something you simmered all day. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights and cozy enough for snowy weekends. Plus, it’s a great way to use leftover chicken or veggies hiding in the fridge.

If you love comfort classics like my Chicken Pot Pie Stew or Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup, this recipe belongs in your rotation. It’s creamy but light, satisfying but not heavy — everything you want when the weather turns cold.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Soup:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 2 cups egg noodles (or any pasta)
• 1 cup milk or half-and-half
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 cup frozen peas or corn
• A sprinkle of shredded cheddar or parmesan on top
• Fresh parsley for garnish

If you’ve got leftover chicken from my Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken, this is the perfect way to turn it into something completely new and comforting.

How to Make Snow Day Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes until they soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 2: Add Broth and Seasoning
Pour in the chicken broth and add thyme, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir, bring to a gentle boil, and let the flavors blend for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Add Chicken and Noodles
Add the shredded chicken and noodles to the pot. Cook until the noodles are tender, about 7–8 minutes.

Step 4: Stir in the Cream
Lower the heat and slowly pour in milk and heavy cream. Stir well and let the soup thicken slightly. Don’t boil at this stage to keep the dairy smooth and silky.

Step 5: Taste and Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls, top with parsley or a sprinkle of cheese, and serve warm. For the ultimate cozy meal, pair it with a slice of Christmas Bread Recipe or Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls.

Tips for the Best Snow Day Soup

• Use rotisserie chicken: Saves time and adds extra flavor.
• Add noodles near the end: Keeps them from getting soggy.
• For extra creaminess: Stir in a spoonful of cream cheese before serving.
• Want a lighter version? Swap cream for more broth or use evaporated milk.

This approach works for other soups too — my Ham and Potato Chowder uses a similar creamy base and turns out rich every time.

How to Store and Reheat

Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in a sealed container.
Freezing: Best frozen before adding the cream; stir it in fresh when reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to bring back that creamy consistency.

If you love soups that taste even better the next day, try my Beef Lombardi Casserole for another make-ahead comfort favorite.

Flavor Variations

1. Chicken and Corn: Add 1 cup of frozen corn for sweetness.
2. Turkey Swap: Use leftover turkey instead of chicken after the holidays.
3. Vegetarian Version: Skip the chicken and add chickpeas or white beans.
4. Spicy Snow Day Soup: Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce for warmth.

Experimenting is part of the fun — like in my Pioneer Woman Loaded Potato Soup, small tweaks can turn a familiar recipe into something new and exciting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I freeze Snow Day Soup?
Yes! Freeze it before adding cream for best results. Add cream after reheating to keep it silky.

2. What noodles work best?
Egg noodles are traditional, but any small pasta — rotini, penne, or shells — works well.

3. Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Add all ingredients except milk, cream, and noodles. Cook on LOW for 4 hours, stir in noodles for the last 20 minutes, and finish with cream.

4. How can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free noodles and thickened with a cornstarch slurry if needed.

The Final Bite

Snow Day Soup is everything winter comfort should be — creamy, cozy, and filled with familiar flavors that make you feel at home. It’s proof that even a handful of pantry ingredients can turn into something special when it’s cold outside and you need warmth fast.

Serve it with a thick slice of No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread or Christmas Bread Recipe for a meal that brings everyone to the table, mittens and all