Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Soup: Nourishing

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Are you feeling weary, sore, or just craving a bowl of pure comfort? When our bodies are tired and inflamed, we naturally seek out food that not only soothes the soul but also helps us to feel genuinely better. This is precisely where a truly nourishing soup can work its magic. We are delighted to share what we believe is the ultimate wellness potion: our golden Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Soup.

This is far more than your average chicken soup. We have meticulously designed this recipe to be a powerhouse of both flavour and function. By uniting tender chicken and wholesome vegetables with potent, inflammation-fighting spices like turmeric and ginger, we have created a soup that soothes, heals, and tastes simply wonderful. It is the ideal meal to turn to when you are warding off a cold, recovering from an intense workout, or simply want to give your body a loving, supportive boost.

Understanding Inflammation and How Food Can Help

Before we get to the recipe, let’s have a quick chat about inflammation. While short-term inflammation is a vital part of your body’s healing process (like when you get a small cut), chronic, long-term inflammation can be a factor in many health concerns. The wonderful news is that the food we eat can play a significant role in managing it.

Certain foods are celebrated for their impressive anti-inflammatory qualities, and we have packed this pot with as many as possible. Ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, and dark leafy greens work in harmony to help soothe your system. This elevates our soup beyond a simple meal; it becomes a proactive choice for your well-being and a delicious piece of immune boosting food.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Deeply Nourishing: Every ingredient has been selected for its health-giving properties, from the anti-inflammatory prowess of turmeric to the vitamin-rich kale. It’s a genuine wellness booster in a bowl.
  • Full of Flavour: We never compromise on taste for the sake of health! The rich, savoury chicken broth, the warmth of ginger and garlic, and the bright finish of lemon create a beautifully complex and satisfying taste.
  • A One-Pot Joy: We all appreciate an easy clean-up. This entire soup is created in a single pot, making it an ideal, stress-free meal for a hectic weeknight or a relaxed Sunday.
  • Excellent for Meal Prep: This soup is one of those dishes that tastes even more delicious the following day as the flavours deepen. Prepare a large batch for healthy, comforting lunches throughout the week.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 700g)
  • 2 litres high-quality chicken or bone broth, low sodium
  • 250ml water
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 100g kale or spinach, tough stems removed and roughly chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • A small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Sea salt to taste

How to Make the Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Soup

Putting together this nourishing soup is a simple and gratifying experience. We will guide you through every stage to make sure you achieve a perfect pot of golden goodness.

  1. Build Your Flavour Base: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent. This initial step is crucial for developing the soup’s deep flavour.
  2. Awaken the Spices: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot. Continue to cook for one more minute until aromatic, ensuring the garlic does not burn. Now, stir in the ground turmeric, dried thyme, and black pepper. Cooking the spices briefly like this ‘blooms’ them, which intensely enhances their flavour and is vital for a fantastic turmeric ginger soup.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Gently place the whole chicken breasts into the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and water, and add the bay leaf. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then immediately lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and allow it to cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
  4. Shred the Chicken: Carefully lift the cooked chicken breasts out of the pot and onto a chopping board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. It should come apart with ease.
  5. Combine and Infuse: Return the shredded chicken to the soup and give it a good stir. Let it simmer for a further 10 minutes, which allows all the flavours to meld together beautifully.
  6. Wilt the Greens: Add the chopped kale or spinach to the pot. Stir through for just 2-3 minutes, until it has wilted down but retains its bright green colour. Adding the greens at the end helps preserve their nutrients and texture.
  7. Finish and Serve: Switch off the heat and remove the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Taste the soup and season with salt if needed. Ladle your wonderful, healing soup into bowls and serve straight away.

The Power Players: What Makes This Soup So Good for You?

Every spoonful of this healthy chicken soup is filled with ingredients that benefit your body. Let’s explore why this is one of the finest healing soup recipes you can create.

Turmeric & Ginger: The Anti-Inflammatory All-Stars

Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, is lauded for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects. As noted by researchers at institutions like Johns Hopkins Medicine, curcumin can aid in managing inflammatory conditions. We always include black pepper, as its compound piperine significantly enhances your body’s absorption of curcumin. Ginger is the perfect companion, renowned for easing digestion and reducing both nausea and inflammation.

Garlic & Onion: More Than Just Flavour

Garlic and onions provide much more than the delicious aromatic foundation of our soup. As members of the allium family, they contain potent sulphur compounds that have been shown to support immune function and combat inflammation.

Chicken and Broth: The Comforting Core

We opt for lean chicken breast as an excellent source of protein, which is vital for repairing body tissues and supporting your immune system. The bone broth offers hydration and is laden with minerals and collagen, promoting good gut health. A comforting bowl of chicken soup can feel like a warm embrace when you are feeling unwell. For those evenings when you fancy something a little more indulgent, you might also love our recipe for Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken With Spinach Sun Dried Tomatoes.

Tips, Tricks, and Variations

While we believe this recipe is wonderful just as it is, we encourage you to adapt it to your liking! Here are some of our favourite ideas:

  • Add Grains: For a more substantial soup, stir in 100g of cooked quinoa, brown rice, or buckwheat near the end of the cooking process.
  • Add a Little Heat: If you enjoy a touch of spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a couple of fresh chilli slices with the garlic and ginger.
  • *Vary the Veggies: Don’t hesitate to include other nutrient-rich vegetables like mushrooms, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers.

  • Use Chicken Thighs: For a deeper, richer flavour, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts. For another brilliant chicken dish, have a look at our popular Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders.

FAQ

Q: Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
A: Of course! To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with a can of chickpeas or cannellini beans (add them during the last 10 minutes of simmering) and use a good-quality vegetable broth. For a vegan soup, follow the same adaptations, making sure your broth is vegan.
Q: How should I store leftover soup?
A: Let the soup cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You’ll find the flavours often deepen and improve overnight!
Q: Is this soup freezer-friendly?
A: Yes, this soup freezes exceptionally well. We suggest omitting the kale or spinach if you intend to freeze it, as its texture can change upon reheating. You can stir in fresh greens when you reheat the soup on the hob. It will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Q: Can I use dried ginger or garlic instead of fresh?
A: While you can, we strongly recommend using fresh ingredients for the best possible flavour and maximum health benefits. If you need to substitute, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of the cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger in place of fresh.

A Bowl of Wellness Awaits

There is something incredibly soothing about preparing and enjoying a homemade pot of chicken soup. This Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Soup recipe elevates that comfort by infusing it with ingredients that actively contribute to your body’s well-being. It represents a simple, delicious, and effective way to practise self-care, one spoonful at a time.

The next time you feel a cold approaching, or simply need a nourishing reset, we hope this recipe comes to mind. Give it a go and experience the warming, healing benefits for yourself. Please do leave a comment below to let us know what you thought or if you put your own unique spin on it!

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Feeling under the weather? Try our nourishing Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Soup recipe. Brimming with turmeric, ginger, and garlic, this wholesome, healthy chicken soup is the ultimate immune-boosting comfort in a bowl. Get the easy recipe today!

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Anti-Inflammatory Chicken Soup


Pin Recipe
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 700g)
  • 2 litres high-quality chicken or bone broth, low sodium
  • 250ml water
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 100g kale or spinach, tough stems removed and roughly chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • A small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Sea salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened.
  2. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in turmeric, thyme, and black pepper, and cook for another 30 seconds.
  3. Place chicken breasts in the pot. Pour in broth and water, and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  4. Remove chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks.
  5. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and simmer for another 10 minutes.
  6. Stir in the kale or spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
  7. Remove from heat. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice and parsley. Season with salt to taste before serving.
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 330,
Carbs: 15 g,
Protein: 43 g,
Fat: 11 g

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