Feel Better Chicken Soup
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This Feel Better Chicken Soup is the perfect comforting, nourishing, and soothing soup you can have when feeling sick. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that will give your immune system the boost it needs. So flavorful and will have you feeling better in no time!
Feel Better Chicken Soup
We are quickly approaching the time of year that is all holidays from here until the end of the year. With all this fun, family time, activities, gathering, events, parties, trips and traveling, stress, happiness, excitement, gift buying and exchanging, cooking and baking; comes the cold weather and those pesky colds and yes, the flu!
Last holidays my whole family and I were super sick and we barely did anything for Christmas Eve and did absolutely nothing Christmas Day. It all started early November and then it felt like we kept getting sick over and over again. We weren’t the only ones though. Everyone seemed to be in the same boat of nasty lingering colds.
What’s the best thing to get through these stubborn colds? Nothing like homemade chicken soup. Best comfort you can get when you feel like even your hair is in pain and discomfort!
This Feel Better Chicken Soup is pretty easy and simple to make. I know when you’re sick the last thing you want is to cook. Especially if it’s a long and elaborate recipe to follow. Make sure you save and pin this recipe so that you have it on hand for the cold season quickly approaching us. Hope you don’t have to make it too frequently though!
What is in chicken soup that makes you feel better?
Since you were a kid I’m sure you have been having chicken soup when you’re sick. Especially if you have a cold or the flu. What is it about chicken soup that makes it so comforting when one falls ill? Well all of the ingredients play a role in this.
- Chicken soup is usually loaded with veggies such as carrots and celery which are rich in vitamins and minerals– They assist in boosting your immune system and providing your body with the nutrients it needs to fight off any sickness you have. Carrots are rich in Vitamin A which boosts the immune system. Potatoes are rich in Vitamin C and aid digestion. An upset stomach can be another symptom brought on by a virus such as the flu.
- This particular soup is loaded with leafy greens- which are known to be rich in antioxidants and other nutrients. Baby spinach is also rich in Vitamin A which again, boosts the immune system.
- Aside from these main ingredients, this Feel Better Chicken Soup is rich in spices and herbs– These will do more than add flavor to your soup. They also play a big role in assisting your body in getting over any sickness. Turmeric is well known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Black pepper boosts the benefits found in turmeric and your body’s absorption of it. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, while oregano has antibacterial properties and is rich in antioxidants.
- Chicken broth is known to provide hydration– which is essential when you’re sick.
Does chicken soup heal you?
Chicken soup is well known for being comforting and nourishing whenever one is not feeling well. Truth is, chicken soup can be loaded with many nutrients your body needs to boost it’s immune system and kick off whatever pesky cold or virus is lingering.
All of the ingredients in this Feel Better Chicken Soup play a big role in helping you get well fast. They’re are rich in:
- Vitamins and minerals (such as vitamins A and C)
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Hydration
- Aiding digestion
All which will assist in healing your body and help you recover.
What can I add to chicken soup?
The main ingredients found in chicken soup are usually chicken (of course), chicken broth, carrots, celery, onions, spices and herbs. In addition to these main ingredients, I make sure to add potatoes, kale, baby spinach, garlic, and turmeric. All of these ingredients add nutrients to your soup, therefore adding comfort and nourishment.
When it comes to adding your chicken to your Feel Better Chicken Soup there are a couple of options to go with. I like to keep some cooked shredded chicken in my freezer. It’s always my go-to when making this soup. It adds so much more flavor to the soup too.
If you don’t have shredded chicken on hand and don’t have time to make some, don’t worry. Use rotisserie chicken instead. Just cut off the parts and shred it. Add it to your soup and it will be just as delicious and satisfying.
What you need to make this soup:
Ingredients:
- Shredded Chicken (cooked)
- Russet Potatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Kale
- Baby Spinach
- Yellow Onion
- Ground Turmeric
- Pink Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic
- Green Onions
- Cumin
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Parsley
- Chicken Broth
- Water
- Oliver Oil
Equipment:
- Large Pot
How to make Feel Better Chicken Soup:
- Start by prepping all your veggies; Peel and dice potatoes, carrots, and onion. Thinly slice celery. Remove kale from stems, chop and measure out 2 cups. Mince garlic.
- Place a large pot on stovetop on medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Bring oil to a heat then toss in onions. Sauté until translucent. About 2 minutes.
- Toss in potatoes, carrots and celery and sauté until they begin to soften a bit. About 4-6 minutes. As soon as you add veggies and while they are cooking, sprinkle in spices and herbs; turmeric, cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Toss thoroughly making sure all veggies are well coated with spices and herbs.
- Pour broth and water and bring to a simmer. At this point, add in chicken, kale and baby spinach. Allow to simmer on high for 3-5 minutes. Bring heat down to low and add in garlic and parsley. Cover soup and allow to simmer for at least 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and other spices and herbs to taste if needed.
- Stir soup and serve. Garnish with more fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy and feel better!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Use cooked chicken for this recipe- Use rotisserie chicken or homemade shredded chicken. It makes it easier especially if you’re feeling sick and want to do minimal cooking.
- Use a pot that’s large enough- You want to use a pot that’s at least 5.5 quarts. This will give you enough room to sauté, stir and for liquid to simmer.
- Add noodles if you wish- You can add noodles too for more comfort. Add your noodles once broth starts to boil, right before you add chicken and greens.
Feeling under the weather? You may also find these other recipes helpful for a speedy recovery:
- Easy Stovetop Golden Milk Latte
- Lemon-Honey Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
- Pineapple Celery Green Juice
- Homemade Beef Bone Broth
Did you like this Feel Better Chicken Soup recipe? You may also like these other healthy and comforting soup recipes:
Feel Better Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 large carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 large russet potato
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- tsp pink sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
Instructions
Start by prepping all your veggies; Peel and dice potatoes, carrots, and onion. Thinly slice celery. Remove kale from stems, chop and measure out 2 cups. Mince garlic.
Place a large pot on stovetop on medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Bring oil to a heat then toss in onions. Sauté until translucent. About 2 minutes.
Toss in potatoes, carrots and celery and sauté until they begin to soften a bit. About 4-6 minutes. As soon as you add veggies and while they are cooking, sprinkle in spices and herbs; turmeric, cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Toss thoroughly making sure all veggies are well coated with spices and herbs.
Pour broth and water and bring to a simmer. At this point, add in chicken, kale and baby spinach. Allow to simmer on high for 3-5 minutes. Bring heat down to low and add in garlic and parsley. Cover soup and allow to simmer for at least 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and other spices and herbs to taste if needed.
Stir soup and serve. Garnish with more fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy and feel better!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
- Use cooked chicken for this recipe- Use rotisserie chicken or homemade shredded chicken. It makes it easier especially if you’re feeling sick and want to do minimal cooking.
- Use a pot that’s large enough- You want to use a pot that’s at least 5.5 quarts. This will give you enough room to sauté, stir and for liquid to simmer.
- Add noodles if you wish- You can add noodles too for more comfort. Add your noodles once broth starts to boil, right before you add chicken and greens.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
*Photos updated as of 12/10/2020
*Post updated as of 3/12/2020
My mom swears by chicken soup for when you are feeling sick!! It is always a winner.
Yes! So comforting!
There is something so good and delicious about homemade chicken soup. It is something I used to find very intimidating though.
There is nothing better than chicken soup!
I love homemade chicken noodle soup when myself or when my hubby or kiddos are sick. Just thinking of it makes me feel better. LoL I will give this recipe a try! I can’t wait! There’s nothing like homemade chicken noodle soup especially during the winter time. 🙂
Yes! Just thinking about chicken soup when you’re sick makes you feel better! Lol!
I love all of the veggies and flavors in this soup. What a great idea to add spinach and kale!
Thank you so much Kathryn!