Campbell’s – Chunky Ghost Pepper Chicken Noodle Soup
It had been a long time since I had eaten canned soup. While Campbell’s Tomato was a staple when I wasn’t feeling well as a child (preferably with a glass of ginger ale on the side) I found myself just never wandering down the canned products aisle at the grocery store unless it was for that jar of Rotel tomatoes and chiles to make the Velveeta dip once a year. Since I’d heard enough buzz about this new Ghost Pepper soup however, I decided it was something I had to try.
At the most basic level, it’s your standard Campbell’s Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup. Salty (so so salty) with a fairly basic flavor profile, some soft noodles and soft veggies, and some cubes of chicken. Add the Ghost Pepper heat however and things can get a bit more interesting.
There’s some subtle Ghost Pepper flavor here, that characteristic slightly smoky taste, but it’s not nearly as prominent as it would be in an actual Ghost Pepper hot sauce or fresh chiles. Looking at the ingredients the sauce doesn’t use any fresh peppers, just using extracts, so that would explain the lack of strong pepper flavor. There’s also some heat, and I’d say it’s probably the spiciest canned soup I’ve ever tasted, but it’s not going to be a challenge for anyone with experience with spicy foods.
After a few bites I was left wanting more flavor, so I doctored it up with Bell’s Pepper’s Ghost #7 Ghost Pepper hot sauce, and that was a big improvement. The added Ghost Pepper flavor combined with some acid from the vinegar helped cut the saltiness a bit and added in some much needed kick.
Overall it’s not a bad product by any means, and I’m glad I tried it. I’ll even keep another can in my pantry for one of those nights when I’m hungry but can’t be bothered to cook. It’s worth trying for yourself, and if you like more heat, have some of your favorite hot sauce on hand as well.
Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Chicken Meat, Carrots, Enriched Egg Noodles, Celery, Red Peppers, Water, Modified Food Starch, Tomato Paste, Salt, Chicken Fat, Distilled Vinegar, Yeast Extract, Potassium Salt, Paprika, Sugar, Soy Protein Isolate, Dried Onions, Chili Pepper Extract, Flavoring, Sodium Phosphate, Ghost Pepper Chili Extract, Cooked Chicken Skins, Spice, Beta Carotene for Color, Disodium Inosinate, Dried Chicken, Egg Yolks, Soy Lecithin.
Heat Level: 3/10. There’s some heat here, and more than you’d expect from a canned soup, but this will be an easy walk in the park for a chile head, and even those with low tolerance will be able to handle it.
