Cold and flu season is officially upon us. With the rise of sniffles and sneezes, many people seek out ways to kick the cold and one of those ways is eating a hot bowl of chicken soup. Not only is chicken soup good for the soul, but it’s also good for boosting one’s immune system. Several ingredients in chicken soup can help enhance immunity. StudyFinds has put together a list of some of the best homemade chicken soup recipes from experts to help boost your immunity while fighting a cold.
Turning to chicken soup when sick dates back thousands of years to ancient China. And while some might think if the popular remedy is that old, it must be just a myth. It’s not. According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “a traditional chicken soup recipe supplies various nutrients involved in the immune system: protein and zinc from the chicken, vitamin A from carrots, vitamin C from celery and onions, and antioxidants in the onions and herbs.”
You might not know that healthy fats in chicken can give the body energy to fight infections. One recent study reveals that fatty acids helps boost the body’s immune system. Fatty acids are organic compounds that are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They are the building blocks of fats and oils, and they play a number of important roles in the body. As the main component of fat, researchers from the University of East Anglia say fatty acids provide the immune system with energy to fight harmful bacteria, like Salmonella.
Turmeric is an immune boosting ingredient you can add to your chicken soup and it can also help fight indigestion. A study shows that turmeric, the spice that gives curry its yellow color, could be as effective as conventional drugs in treating indigestion. The study focuses on curcumin, a natural compound in turmeric. Researchers found that curcumin might be as effective as omeprazole, a commonly prescribed drug that reduces stomach acid, in treating symptoms of indigestion.
Even though chicken soup has a variety of ingredients that can boost your immunity, can it really help when you’re sick? One expert says, yes! Patients with upper respiratory illnesses who eat chicken soup end up having a bigger appetite thanks to its umami taste. Research also shows that chicken soup can lower the number of white blood cells traveling to inflamed tissues, reducing inflammation.
Are you ready to whip up some chicken soup? StudyFinds has compiled a list of the top healthy chicken soup recipes. Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Chicken Soup Recipes To Boost Immunity
1. Immunity-Boosting Turmeric Chicken Soup From The Roasted Root
“An Immunity-Boosting Turmeric Chicken Soup recipe to keep your body feeling strong and energized year round!” writes The Roasted Root. “This turmeric chicken soup includes carrots, parsnips, kale, bone broth, and more for an immunity-boosting powerhouse meal.”
Key immune health ingredients:
- chicken
- turmeric
- carrots
- parsnip
- ginger
- avocado oil
“The basic premise is this is a classic chicken soup with the added pizzazz of turmeric, ginger, parsley, and kale for a nice antioxidant punch, giving you even more nutrients and flavor,” notes Julia Mueller.
Click here for the full recipe.
2. The Best Chicken Soup You’ll Ever Eat From Ambitious Kitchen
“This chicken soup recipe came to me after I came down with the WORST cold ever. I was on the verge of getting better, then all of a sudden I took a turn for the worst and spent an entire weekend sneezing, coughing and barely able to breathe,” writes Ambitious Kitchen.
Key immune health ingredients:
- chicken
- turmeric
- garlic
- ginger
- celery
- onions
- olive or avocado oil
“The BEST chicken soup you’ll ever eat is the perfect recipe to make when you’re feeling sick. Packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger, turmeric, garlic. This is the BEST CHICKEN SOUP RECIPE EVER!” says Monique Volz.
Click here for the full recipe.
3. Immune Boosting Chicken Soup From The Harvest Kitchen
“Nourishing Immune Boosting Chicken Soup is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that will help boost your immune system to ward off the latest cold or flu bug going around,” writes The Harvest Kitchen. “This immunity boosting soup is richly flavored and includes carrots, celery, bok choy, onion, garlic, ginger and curry.”
Key immune health ingredients:
- chicken
- carrots
- Bok Choy
- celery
- onion
- garlic
“This immunity soup is loaded with fresh organic vegetables and seasoned with ginger, garlic and a wee bit of curry. It’s a cozy winter soup that you’ll want to make time and time again.”
Click here for the full recipe.
4. Detox Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup From Eat Yourself Skinny
“This Detox Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup is the perfect remedy for flu season filled with antioxidants that boost immunity and keep you warm all winter long!” writes Eat Yourself Skinny.
Key immune health ingredients:
- chicken
- kale
- carrots
- chickpeas
“I mean with ingredients like garlic, chickpeas, turmeric, mushrooms and dark leafy greens all simmering together in a flavorful hot broth, you’ll be sure to fend off those pesky colds while staying healthy and on track with your diet!” says Kelly Gellner.
Click here for the full recipe.
5. Immune Boosting Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe From Eat Your Way Clean
“If you’re ever feeling the hints of a cold, and you want to fight it off before it hits, this is your magic weapon: Immune Boosting Chicken Vegetable Soup,” writes Eat Your Way Clean.
Key immune health ingredients:
- avocado oil
- carrots
- sweet potato
- red onion
- chicken
“One very cool thing about this soup is you cook the chicken while making the broth and simmering the soup at the same time. It saves time, reduces ingredients, and makes for an amazingly rich flavor. That is why I recommend using bone-in chicken.”
Click here for the full recipe.
How long does leftover chicken soup last?
Now, you will likely find yourself with plenty of soup left after you finish your first bowl. Homemade chicken soup can last in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 3 to 4 months. It is important to store the soup properly to prevent bacteria growth. Here are some tips:
- Let the soup cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Store the soup in a clean, airtight container.
- Label the container with the date and contents.
- If freezing the soup, portion it out into smaller containers so that it thaws more quickly and evenly.
- To reheat chicken soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Then, heat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until it is warmed through. You can also reheat the soup in the microwave, but be sure to stir it frequently to prevent uneven heating.
Here are some signs that chicken soup has gone bad:
- It has a sour or off smell.
- It has a slimy texture.
- It has a moldy appearance.
- It has changed color.
If you notice any of these signs, do not eat the soup. It is better to be safe than sorry.