Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that can be found on many restaurant menus. But for people with dairy allergies or sensitivities, enjoying a bowl of chicken noodle soup from a restaurant can be tricky if it contains hidden sources of dairy like cream or butter.
Panera Bread is a popular bakery-cafe chain that offers chicken noodle soup on their menu. But is Panera’s chicken noodle soup dairy free? Let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients and find out.
Examining the Ingredients in Panera’s Chicken Noodle Soup
The first step in determining if a food contains dairy is to carefully read the ingredients list. Here are the listed ingredients for Panera Bread’s Chicken Noodle Soup according to their website:
- Chicken Bone Broth
- Cooked White Meat Chicken
- Chicken Flavor (contains Chicken Fat)
- Sea Salt
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onions
- Chicken Fat
- Dried Egg Noodles (Wheat Flour, Eggs, Salt)
- Parsley
At first glance, the ingredients list for Panera’s chicken noodle soup does not appear to contain any obvious sources of dairy like milk, cream, cheese, or butter.
However, there are a few ingredients that deserve a closer look when trying to determine if this soup is dairy-free:
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat itself does not contain dairy, but sometimes extra butter or cream is added to enhance the flavor of chicken fat. According to Panera Bread, their chicken fat contains 100% chicken fat and no dairy additives.
Dried Egg Noodles
Traditional egg noodles contain eggs, which is a common allergen but not technically a dairy ingredient. The egg noodles used in Panera’s chicken noodle soup appear to only contain wheat flour, eggs, and salt with no added dairy.
Natural Flavors
The chicken flavor listed among the ingredients may potentially contain dairy-derived natural flavors, although this is not specified. When in doubt, it is best to contact the restaurant directly to inquire about the source of natural flavors.
Contacting Panera Bread About Dairy-Free Status
To get the most reliable information on whether a menu item contains potential allergens like dairy, it is best to reach out to the restaurant directly. Panera Bread provides the following contact information for customers seeking allergen and nutritional information:
- Phone: 1-855-6-PANERA (Mon-Fri 7am-7pm CST)
- Email: [email protected]
Calling and speaking with a Panera Bread representative is the best option to get an accurate answer on whether their chicken noodle soup recipe is dairy-free. A company representative can check directly with their kitchen staff and ingredient suppliers to verify the soup does not contain milk-based ingredients or hidden dairy-derived components like natural flavors or thickeners.
Checking Restaurant Allergen Guides
In addition to contacting the restaurant directly, checking their allergen guides can sometimes provide clues about dairy content. Panera Bread publishes a Food Allergy & Intolerance Information guide on their website:
- The guide lists tree nuts, peanuts, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish and wheat as common allergens used in menu items.
- Dairy is notably absent from this list of common allergens.
The lack of dairy in this allergen guide suggests that dairy ingredients are less commonly used in Panera’s menu items. However, it does not guarantee their chicken noodle soup is dairy-free. The best approach is still to call or email Panera Bread directly to confirm the exact ingredients used in their chicken noodle soup recipe.
Checking for Certifications like “Dairy-Free” Logos
Some restaurants promote specialty diet menu options like dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan dishes by labeling them with special logos or certifications. However, a search of Panera Bread’s website shows that they do not label any menu items with dairy-free, lactose-free, or vegan logos.
The lack of these specialty diet labels does not necessarily indicate that none of the menu items are dairy-free. Rather, it means Panera leaves it up to the customer to check on dairy content by carefully reading ingredients lists and calling with questions. They do not call out dairy-free choices separately.
Cross-Checking Independent Testing & Reviews
Another helpful strategy is to check independent allergen testing companies and food review websites. For example:
- AllergenChecker.org – Does not have testing data available for Panera’s chicken noodle soup.
- GlutenFreeWatchDog – Does not list testing data for Panera’s chicken noodle soup.
- FindMeGlutenFree.com – Multiple reviewers report dairy is an issue at Panera Bread, but no chicken soup-specific reviews.
Unfortunately, there are no independent reports from allergen testers or reviewers specifically indicating that Panera’s chicken noodle soup is either dairy-free or contains dairy. Without this third-party verification, going directly to the source by contacting Panera Bread is still the best option.
Does Panera Offer Any Dairy-Free Chicken Noodle Soup Options?
Some restaurants with standard menu items that contain dairy will also offer easy dairy-free modifications or specially labeled dairy-free choices. Here are some potential options to inquire about with Panera Bread:
Broth-based Soup Without Cream
Ask if their chicken noodle soup can be prepared without cream or butter added. Broth-based soups are often already dairy-free, so requesting no cream or butter is an easy modification.
Dairy-Free Broth Substitution
Inquire if dairy-free broths like vegetable broth are available to substitute for the chicken broth base. This allows avoiding potential butter or cream in the chicken broth while still enjoying the other soup ingredients.
Plant-Based Cream Substitution
Ask if plant-based cream made from oils or nuts can be used instead of dairy-based cream to make a modified dairy-free soup.
Completely Separate Dairy-Free Soup
Some restaurants offer separate dairy-free soup options made without any cream or butter. Check if a certified dairy-free vegan soup is available even if it’s not chicken noodle.
Key Takeaways on Panera’s Chicken Noodle Soup Without Dairy
Here are the key tips to remember when figuring out if Panera Bread’s Chicken Noodle Soup contains hidden dairy:
- Carefully read the ingredient list and look for potential dairy-derived ingredients like cream, butter, cheese or milk-based thickeners.
- Call Panera Bread directly and ask if their chicken noodle soup contains any dairy ingredients.
- Check their allergen information guide to see if dairy is flagged as a common allergen in their foods.
- Look for official “dairy-free” labels or logos on their menu, though Panera does not currently label menu items this way.
- Search independent food allergen testers and food review sites for chicken noodle soup reports.
- Ask Panera Bread if they can make simple modifications to make the soup dairy-free such as using dairy-free broth or plant-based cream instead.
While the ingredients for Panera’s chicken noodle soup do not list obvious dairy ingredients, trace amounts could still be present in seasonings like natural flavors or thickeners in the broth. Contacting their customer service team is the best way to determine for certain if their soup contains dairy. With their help, slight recipe modifications may also make it possible to enjoy their classic chicken noodle soup without the dairy.
Other Soup Options at Panera Bread
In addition to potentially modifying their Chicken Noodle Soup, Panera Bread offers some other soup choices that may be better bets for avoiding dairy:
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
While the name obviously indicates that this soup contains dairy-based cheddar cheese, Panera Bread states on their website that they also offer a reduced-fat version of this soup that does not contain the cheese. Double check the ingredients if ordering this soup dairy-free.
Creamy Tomato Soup
Despite the creamy name, Panera states that this soup does not actually contain cream. Instead, it’s thickened with rice flour and cornstarch. Ask for them to hold any cheese garnish and this tomato soup may be a dairy-free choice.
Vegetarian Autumn Squash Soup
This veggie soup gets creaminess from pureed butternut squash and does not list any obvious dairy ingredients. Ask the restaurant to confirm that it is made without butter or cream. The plant-based broth improves the odds it can be enjoyed dairy-free.
Vegetarian Garden Vegetable Soup with Pesto
With a veggie broth base and garden-fresh ingredients like zucchini, spinach and tomatoes, this soup has high potential for being dairy-free. But as pesto can sometimes contain cheese or milk, be sure to ask about the source of their pesto and request it without to be safe.
Modern Greek Lentil Soup
Legume-based soups are often rich and creamy without needing dairy. Panera’s lentil soup fits the bill with protein-packed lentils, tomatoes, spinach, and authentic Greek spices. Just verify it does not contain hidden butter.
Tips for Customizing Any Panera Soup Dairy-Free
Rather than sticking to the soups labeled as creamless, consider customizing any broth-based soup at Panera Bread with these tips for ensuring it’s dairy-free:
- Choose vegetables broths like the Garden Vegetable over cream-based chowders and bisques.
- Ask for no cream, butter or cheese to be added to soups that don’t list them as standard ingredients.
- Request olive oil instead of butter for finishing and enriching soups.
- Hold cheese or dairy-based croutons or bread garnishes.
- Choose plant-based thickeners like cornstarch or arrowroot over potentially milk-based thickeners.
- Ask about how broths are made and if they contain cream or butter instead of assuming veggie broths are dairy-free by default.
With a few easy modifications and ingredient swaps, nearly any soup can potentially be adjusted to fit a dairy-free diet when ordering. Don’t be afraid to ask your server for suggestions on the best soups to customize.
Top 5 Tips for Eating Dairy-Free at Panera Bread
Panera Bread bakery cafes cater to a wide range of dietary needs, including many dairy-free options. Beyond customizing their soups, you can enjoy eating at Panera without dairy by following these tips:
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Stick to plant-based proteins
Choose sandwich fillings like smoked turkey breast, roasted plant-based protein, or tuna salad without Greek yogurt. Avoid ham, roast beef, and chicken salad sandwiches more likely to contain mayo or cheese.
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Opt for salad dressings without dairy
Ask for vinaigrettes and oil & vinegar instead of creamier Caesar, Greek, or fuji apple dressing which can contain cheese, yogurt or milk.
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Be picky with bagels and bakery items
Bakery staples like muffins, scones, and cinnamon rolls often have butter and milk. Stick to basics like the plain bagels and rolls which are typically vegan.
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Take charge of toppings and customization
Burgers, sandwiches, salads and bowls can all be prepared without cheese or dairy-based sauces on request. Just ask for no butter on sandwiches.
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Look for plant milk options
While the coffee bar uses standard dairy milk, many locations also offer almond milk or oat milk alternatives to make your drinks dairy-free.
With award-winning customer service and a freshly prepared menu, Panera Bread makes it easy to put together a tasty dairy-free meal. Being familiar with the menu and proactive with special requests is key to an allergy-friendly visit.
Is Panera’s Chicken Noodle Soup Nutrition Information Reliable Without Dairy?
For those avoiding dairy due to allergies or intolerances like lactose intolerance, being able to accurately calculate the nutrition information for menu items at restaurants is very important.
According to Panera Bread’s website, here are the nutrition facts for a 16 oz bowl of their Chicken Noodle Soup:
| Nutrition Facts | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Fat | 3.5g |
| Protein | 12g |
| Sodium | 960mg |
| Carbohydrates | 8g |
These nutrition totals are based on the standard recipe for their chicken noodle soup. However, if dairy ingredients like butter or cream are part of the base recipe, removing those to make the soup dairy-free would alter the overall nutrition profile.
Specifically, eliminating butter or cream would lower the total fat grams and calories per serving. Any substitutions like olive oil instead of butter may impact fat and calorie totals as well.
To get accurate nutrition information on the dairy-free chicken noodle soup, you would need to contact Panera Bread for those specifications directly. Providing nutrition facts on customized menu items is tricky for restaurants. But their customer service team should be able to give estimates on how removing dairy ingredients affects the nutrition totals. This allows those with dairy restrictions to make better dietary decisions.
In Conclusion
Determining if popular restaurant menu items like soups are dairy-free can take some detective work. But by reviewing the ingredients lists carefully, asking questions directly, and customizing recipes slightly, those avoiding milk can often find hidden dairy-free gems.
While Panera Bread’s chicken noodle soup recipe does not appear to obviously contain dairy at first glance, the best solution for a definitive answer is to call their customer service team. They can provide inside details on how their soups are prepared and potential ways to adjust recipes as needed for allergies or dietary preferences.
Armed with knowledge and an understanding that most restaurants are willing to make reasonable accommodations, dairy-free diners can find menu choices just about anywhere. With a few modifications and extra attention when ordering, chicken noodle soup and other classics can still be on the menu minus the dairy.