Fideo means “noodle” in Spanish and refers to a type of short, thin, quick-cooking pasta. You can make the broth for this bright-flavored soup, adapted from The Chicken Soup Manifesto by Jenn Louis, a day or two ahead and add the pasta to cook while the soup reheats. In a large pot over medium-high, heat ¼ cup vegetable oil. Add 1 yellow onion, diced; 2 carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch coins; 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced; 2 large bay leaves; 1 Tbsp salt; and a large pinch saffron threads (available in the spice aisle). Cook 3–4 minutes or until onion becomes translucent. Add 6 cups water; 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce; 2½–3 lb skin-on, bone-in chicken pieces (leg quarters, breast halves, etc.); 2 cups peeled, cubed russet potatoes; and 2 cups peeled, cubed winter squash (such as pumpkin or butternut). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer; cook, uncovered, 20–30 minutes or until chicken is done (an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F). Remove chicken from pot. When chicken is cool enough to handle, shred; discard skin and bones. Return chicken to pot along with 6 oz fideo (about 1½ cups) (or vermicelli or angel hair pasta, broken into pieces). Simmer 6–8 minutes or until noodles are tender. Discard bay leaves. Stir in 3 Tbsp lime juice and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If desired, serve with lime wedges. Serves 4–6.

The trend in gluten-free and grain-free pasta continues to grow, so there’s a noodle to fit just about any dietary need. Here are some options available on supermarket shelves and online.

Legumes keep things gluten-free in Banza’s chickpea-based classic Italian pastas ($3.79, amazon.com) and Tolerant Foods’ green and red lentil pastas ($4.39, amazon.com).

Jovial’s grain-free cassava pastas ($5, jovialfoods.com) are glutenfree and paleo-friendly.

Spaghetti squash has long been a go-to pasta substitute. Solely’s dried organic spaghetti squash pasta ($8, solely.com) transforms it into a pantry staple.

Spiralizing put zoodles on America’s plate. Cece’s Veggie Co.’s noodled zucchini and butternut squash ($6), in the produce section, make it a speedy option.