The Best Healing Chicken Soup (Printable)
A comforting bowl packed with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and aromatic herbs for cozy nourishment.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or whole cut-up chicken
→ 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 (optional)
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 or 2 tsp fresh
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
16 - 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Optional Additions
19 - 1/2 cup cooked rice, noodles, or quinoa (add in last 10 minutes)
# How to Cook:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and parsnip if using. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Place chicken thighs into the pot. Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaf, thyme, oregano, turmeric, black pepper, and salt.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 35–40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken and set aside to cool slightly.
06 - Add zucchini and spinach or kale to the pot. Simmer 8–10 minutes until just tender.
07 - Shred chicken meat, discarding bones. Return shredded chicken to the soup.
08 - Add lemon juice and parsley. Stir well and taste for seasoning.
09 - If using, stir in cooked rice, noodles, or quinoa. Heat through for 2–3 minutes.
10 - Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The turmeric gives the broth an anti-inflammatory boost that actually works
- Every vegetable softens into sweet tenderness without turning to mush
- The lemon juice at the end brightens everything like a secret ingredient
02 -
- Dont skip cooling the chicken before shredding or you will burn your fingers every single time
- The lemon juice really does matter, it transforms the flavor from good to incredible
- This soup tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch
03 -
- A whole chicken or chicken wings make for an even richer broth if you have the time to deal with more bones
- For extra depth, roast the vegetables in the oven before adding them to the pot
- If the soup seems too thick, add water or more broth rather than reducing the vegetables