The Best Healing Chicken Soup (Printable)
Nourishing soup with chicken, vegetables, and aromatic herbs for comfort and recovery.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 parsnip, peeled and sliced
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 2 cups baby spinach or kale, chopped
09 - 1 small lemon, juiced
→ Broth & Seasoning
10 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
16 - 1 tsp sea salt
17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Optional Additions
19 - 1/2 cup cooked rice, noodles, or quinoa
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and parsnip. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Place chicken thighs into the pot. Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaf, thyme, oregano, turmeric, black pepper, and salt.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 35-40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
05 - Transfer chicken pieces from pot to a cutting board or plate. Set aside to cool slightly for safe handling.
06 - Add zucchini and spinach to the simmering broth. Cook for 8-10 minutes until vegetables are just tender.
07 - Once cooled enough to handle, shred chicken meat from bones, discarding skin and bones. Return shredded meat to the pot.
08 - Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
09 - If using cooked rice, noodles, or quinoa, add to soup and heat through for 2-3 minutes before serving.
10 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The turmeric adds a beautiful golden color and natural anti inflammatory properties
- It freezes beautifully so you can always have some on hand for emergencies
- The lemon juice at the end brightens everything in the most surprising way
02 -
- Do not let the soup boil vigorously once the chicken is added or the meat will become tough
- The lemon juice is not optional for the full bright flavor profile
- Letting the soup cool slightly before refrigerating helps prevent separation
03 -
- Add a piece of fresh ginger with the garlic for extra immune boosting power
- Use a rotisserie chicken to cut cooking time in half