Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!

Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!

 

(Look below the recipe card for a fun way to top this or another soup!)

 

The aroma of this soup takes me back to summer and the sweet scent of freshly-picked corn. It’s a heart-warming and wholesome bowl -one that my husband says he could eat every night.

The recipe yields a good bit (about three quarts), and the leftovers are equally satisfying – perhaps more so, as the flavors meld and improve over time.

For a crowd, the recipe may easily be doubled. The soup also freezes well, putting a hot, comforting bowl within easy reach whenever needed. 

For the very best sweet corn flavor, freshly picked, seasonal corn on the cob can’t be beat. But I regularly prepare this soul-warming soup with frozen corn, and it’s still delicious.

The recipe calls for Cope’s creamed corn, which is increasingly difficult to find. Though it enhances the classic sweet corn flavor of the soup, I have successfully substituted many times with a can of Green Giant creamed corn.

Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!
I typically simmer the chicken corn soup on the stove top, but my sister-in-law likes to make it in her slow cooker. 

Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!

Rivels or no rivels? 

First of all, what are rivels? Common in Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, rivels are tiny egg dumplings made by dropping bits of batter into simmering broth until they rise to the surface. Fittingly, the word translates into “lumps.” In Germany, rivels are known as spaetzle. 

There are two versions of traditional chicken corn soup – one with rivels and one with little egg noodles, often called Amish-style noodles. My version uses the latter, as it’s what my family has always preferred. It’s quicker and easier, too, and makes a gluten-free variation a snap. 

Commonly, the noodles are simmered until very soft, adding a level of starchiness to the soup. I used to add them with the corn, but have begun adding the noodles in the final 10 to 15 minutes, which allows them to retain a hint more firmness. In a pinch, you could even omit the noodles and the soup will still be deliciously satisfying. 

Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!
Simple ingredients come together with ease in this traditional Pennsylvania Dutch soup.
Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!
The first step is to sauté the onion, celery, and carrots until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
The chicken cooks at the same time, adding ease and extra flavor to the broth.
No need to precook the chicken. It simmers before the corn and noodles are stirred in, adding ease and more flavor to the broth.
Pull the chicken from the pot once cooked through, and shred it once it's cool enough to handle.
When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it and then return it to the pot.
Simple herbs and seasonings add fresh flavor and color.
At the very end, the hard boiled eggs (my favorite addition!), parsley, sugar, salt, and pepper are stirred in. The sugar amount is quite small and serves to enhance the natural sweetness of the corn. You may omit if preferred.
Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!
A pinch of saffron creates the traditional color of the broth, but I’ve discovered a combination of sweet or smoked paprika and turmeric will replicate the flavor and color of what is a rather expensive spice.

Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!

Brimming with chicken and vegetables, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients. A regional classic and a true family favorite!

Amish-Style Chicken Corn Soup

5 from 1 vote
Brimming with chicken and vegetables and a regional classic, a pot of this soul-warming soup is easy to make with basic ingredients.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 3 quarts (12 cups)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons (28g) olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1½ cups)
  • 2-3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3-4 carrots, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • teaspoon saffron (may substitute ⅛ teaspoon each sweet or smoked paprika and turmeric)
  • 1 quart (32 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water (could use more broth)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 12-ounce package frozen corn (no need to thaw) or 2 lightly rounded cups fresh
  • 1 10-ounce package frozen creamed corn (I use Cope's brand; may sub canned creamed corn*)
  • ½ cup small egg or Amish noodles (omit for gluten-free option)
  • 3 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon sugar (enhances the corn flavor but doesn't make the soup sweet)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven. Sauté the onion, celery, and carrots until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the bay leaves, saffron, stock, water, and chicken. Bring just to the boiling point, then immediately reduce the heat and gently simmer (gentle heat = most tender chicken) for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is just cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken. (To avoid long, stringy shreds, I cut the breasts in half or thirds first.)
  2. Meanwhile, add both corns and the noodles and continue to cook at barely a simmer. In about 15 minutes or when the noodles are just short of cooked, return the chicken to the pot. Continue cooking for a few more minutes or until the noodles are al dente and the chicken is warm. Remove the pot from the heat. Discard the bay leaves and stir in the eggs, parsley, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe first posted February, 25, 2012

For a fun and tasty alternative to a crusty roll or a side of crackers (the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch way), make a puff pastry topper:

Add puff pastry to soup for a fancy alternative to a roll...or over a pot pie base (or chicken corn soup) for an elevated version of chicken pot pie!
Add a puff pastry topper for a fancy alternative to a roll – it’s like a fun, lighter version of chicken pot pie. 

To make a puff pastry soup topper:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400℉.
  2. Transfer the soup to soup crocks, large ramekins, or oven-proof bowls. The soup need not be piping hot, as it will heat more in the oven. 
  3. Roll out a sheet of thawed puff pastry to ¼-inch thickness– it’s not a lot of rolling, but rather expands the sheet an extra inch or so in each direction.
  4. Cut a circle that’s about an inch wider than the diameter of your soup bowls. You can trace with a bigger bowl or roughly cut with a knife. 
  5. Brush the circle on both sides with a beaten egg. Egg on the bottom will help it stick to the bowl. The egg on top will add golden color. 
  6. Sprinkle with an optional pinch of flaky sea salt.
  7. Place the individual bowls on a rimmed baking sheet (for easy placement in and removal from oven). 
  8. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and nicely golden.
  9. Remove the soup from the oven and rest for 10 minutes or so. Especially when starting with hot soup, the soup will be quite steamy. The pastry also retains the heat, so take caution with the first bite!

Tips:

  • The puff pastry will puff more when it’s cold, so keep the thawed pastry refrigerated until ready to use.
  • Depending on bowl size, one puff pastry sheet will be sufficient to cover 4 to 6 individual soup bowls. Scraps can be baked on a parchment-lined baking sheet and taste great. 
  • Pepperidge Farm puff pastry can be found in the freezer aisle of most large grocery stores. The pastry takes about 40 minutes to thaw at room temperature. 
  • For a gluten-free option, I’ve tested Gee Free puff pastry. It doesn’t puff very well, but the taste is quite good and the prep and baking directions are the same. 
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29 responses to “Amish-Style Chicken Corn Soup”

  1. This soup looks delicious! I love soups that are full of flavor like this one! I’ll have to try the recipe soon!

    1. Thanks for your comment and hope you enjoy!

  2. I just love making this soup at this time of year!

    1. I agree, Anna. It’s simple yet so satisfying!

  3. Kristen Avatar
    Kristen

    Can canned creamed corn be used instead of the frozen version?

    1. Absolutely!

  4. Why do you add sugar

    1. Hi Deborah, It’s an old tradition among the Pennsylvania Dutch to add a touch of sugar to enhance the sweetness of the corn. That said, you could totally omit it.

  5. Can you tell me the steps if I use my crockpot? How long and low or high

    1. Hi Rose, I don’t use my slow cooker for this one, although my sister-in-law does. Basically, you just want to cook until the chicken is done. That might be two hours on high or four to six on low, depending on the age and size of the cooker. I’d add the noodles, if using, in the last 30 minutes or so and then stir in the eggs, etc., at the very end.

  6. Just made this soup on a very, very cold Thursday in Pennsylvania. It was absolutely delicious and hit the spot!!

    1. It has been very, very cold, Cheryl. I’m delighted this hit the spot and appreciate your feedback!

  7. Shirley Barker Avatar
    Shirley Barker

    Why is this soup called “Amish” chicken corn soup? Just wondered why the “Amish”. I made the soup today. Shared with S-I-law who loves soup. My husband said, “you can take him some but be sure you leave me plenty!”

    1. Hi Shirley, I’m from Pennsylvania Dutch country and this soup is a staple here, hence the name. I’m thrilled it was a success, and it was so thoughtful of you to share!

  8. Ron Mitchell Avatar
    Ron Mitchell

    I prefer from scratch made from a whole chicken and fresh corn but it’s a great quicker version. Use at least a 6 quart pot as it makes about 5 quarts. The first thing I noticed it was too sweet. Sweet corn is adequate where you don’t need sugar. The other change I would make is hold off on the noodles until the last 10-15 minutes. The way it is they are over cooked and dissolving. Growing up in Amish country I know saffron is a key ingredient but I couldn’t justify the $17.50 Walmart charges for a little bottle so I added a little basil instead. The other tweak I done was add a small can of mushrooms. Overall a pleasing and satisfying meal. I will make it again.

    1. Hi Ron, Thank you for your thoughtful feedback and suggestions. I’m delighted you enjoyed the soup and made some adjustments to suit your preferences. And I agree on ther saffron–it can be expensive and can certainly be omitted!

      1. May I suggest turmeric instead of saffron

        1. Great suggestion! Thank you for mentioning.

  9. Hi Ann
    Have you ever tried freezing this soup? Just wondering because of the hard boiled eggs. It looks delicious. I love following your blog

    1. Hi Sue,
      I have yet to freeze this soup but my sister-in-law has many times and says it freezes quite well. (And thank you for the nice comment! 🙂 )

      1. Ron Mitchell Avatar
        Ron Mitchell

        I grew up on this soup. It freezes well. 🙂

    2. If u simply put it in canning jars it lasts 6 weeks in the fridge. Freezing makes the noodles funny i think.

  10. […] if nothing on this list interests you, check inside for the best Amish-made chicken corn soup you’ve ever tasted.  There is plenty of good food around, but the soup is legendary. […]

  11. Cecelia Avatar
    Cecelia

    podrian poner algunas recetas en español gracias

    1. I speak a little Spanish but haven’t gotten to the level of adding my posts in Spanish, too! Maybe someday!

  12. Winni Sørensen Avatar
    Winni Sørensen

    looks great yummi yummi

  13. Yummy! Made this last Sunday and it is wonderful! The leftovers are all gone!

    1. I am so glad you enjoyed, leftovers and all!