The Ultimate Healing Chicken Soup: A Nutrient-Dense Comfort Food

There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of chicken soup to bring comfort and nourishment, especially when you're feeling under the weather. My Healing Chicken Soup, made in a Crock Pot, is not only delicious but it's also packed with a plethora of health benefits. Let’s dive into what makes this soup a powerhouse of nutrition and why it should be a staple in your kitchen.

Rich in Protein

At the heart of this soup are boneless, skinless chicken thighs, providing a high-quality source of protein. Protein is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body maintenance. It also helps keep you full and satisfied, making this soup a perfect meal for any time of day.

Nutrient-Dense Broth

The base of our Healing Chicken Soup is chicken bone broth, which is rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals like calcium and magnesium. These nutrients support joint health, skin elasticity, and digestive health. Additionally, the bone broth helps strengthen the immune system, making it an excellent choice during cold and flu season.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

I’ve added ground turmeric and ginger paste to the soup, both known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These ingredients can help reduce inflammation and support overall health, making the soup not just tasty but also therapeutically beneficial.

Vitamins and Minerals

This soup is a treasure trove of essential vitamins and minerals. Ingredients like celery, onion, carrots, and kale provide a variety of nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and K, along with fiber. These nutrients are vital for supporting immune function, eye health, and bone health. Kale, in particular, is a superfood known for its high nutrient content.

Immune Boosting

Garlic and lemon juice, both included in this recipe, are renowned for their immune-boosting properties. Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral benefits, while lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C, crucial for a healthy immune system.

Digestive Health

The combination of ginger and bone broth works wonders for your digestive system. Ginger is known to soothe the digestive tract, while bone broth promotes gut health, making this soup gentle on the stomach and beneficial for digestive health.

Low in Unhealthy Fats

By using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, this soup remains low in unhealthy saturated fats while still providing the benefits of healthy fats from the chicken. This makes it a heart-healthy choice that doesn’t compromise on flavor or nutrition.

Hydrating and Comforting

With its high water content from the broth and vegetables, this soup helps keep you hydrated. The warmth of the soup also provides comfort, particularly during cold weather or when you’re feeling ill. It’s the perfect remedy for those chilly days or when you need a little extra care.

Recipe: Healing Chicken Soup in the Crock Pot

Ingredients:

2 stalks of celery, coarsely chopped
1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 bag baby carrots, coarsely chopped
1 bunch Dino kale (lacinato) or 5 oz baby kale
8-10 cups chicken bone broth
1.5-2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons ginger paste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup Chicken Better than Bouillon
1 tsp poultry seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups frozen peas
1/2 bag Mrs. Miller’s Old Fashioned Egg noodles (or 1 cup large pearl couscous)

Instructions:
1. Combine celery, onion, carrots, kale, chicken bone broth, chicken thighs, turmeric, garlic, ginger paste, lemon juice, Chicken Better than Bouillon, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in the Crock Pot.
2. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until the chicken easily shreds.
3. Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
4. Add frozen peas and noodles (or couscous). Cover and cook until the noodles are done.

Note: You can use chicken tenders as an alternative to thighs, but thighs tend to be more tender.

This Healing Chicken Soup is more than just a comforting meal; it’s a nutrient-dense powerhouse that supports your overall health. Packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory ingredients, it’s the perfect dish for boosting your immune system and aiding digestion. Whip up a batch if you are under the weather, or make it a part of your regular meal rotation, and enjoy the numerous health benefits it brings.