Chicken Soup with Bone Broth Recipe

Cold season? Not so fast if you have an immunity booster chicken soup on hand. Learn how to make it with this simple recipe guide.

Before we get started, I want to mention that my company makes and sells the absolute best tasting chicken bone broth powder to use for your soup recipe.

Its non-GMO and has 12 g protein per serving with low sodium. With that out of the way let's get right to it.

In my home, chicken soup is ‘at the ready’ to tackle those comfort food cravings, runny noses and sore throats before they get out of control.

A classic for many cultures, chicken soup heals the body, nourishes your soul and makes you feel like a warm ball of energy.

There’s even research showing that chicken soup could help ease the symptoms of upper respiratory infections.

What are the benefits of bone broth?

1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The anti-inflammatory properties of chicken soup result in less WBCs and inflammation in your chest.

Chicken bone broth is about 1/3rd glycine by weight. Glycine is a potent anti-inflammatory that helps to heal your gut specifically.

Chicken soup also has carnosine which may inhibit pro inflammatory symptoms associated with viral infections.

These together could help to shorten the duration of and help to prevent illness.

2. Improve Rehydration 

Chicken soup is full of hydrating electrolytes, vitamin C and vitamin E. These antioxidants keep your body nourished and help it fight off symptoms.  

3. Increased Movement of Nasal Fluids

Chicken soup improves the function of the tiny hairlike projections in your nose (called cilia) to prevent infectious particles from afflicting your body.

4. Psychological and Physical Comfort 

Warm beverages and soups make you feel great. Those who simply hold a warm cup of soup express more positive attitudes than those who do not. It is also a reminder of loving care.

Finally, warm beverages with bone broth help to activate detoxification pathways in your body.

Can Chicken Soup Cure The Common Cold? 

Colds happen because of an infection in your upper respiratory tract. When you come down with something, your body responds with inflammation. 

This inflammatory response tells white blood cells (WBCs) to assemble in the region. For colds they assemble in our upper respiratory tract.

This migration of WBCs causes your stuffy nose or sore throat.

Chicken soup for immunity dates back to the 12th century. Egyptian Jewish philosopher and physician Moshe ben Maimon recommended chicken soup for respiratory tract infections. 

Fast forward to the 90s and we have some research on how it boosts your immune system to cure many health issues.

The researchers found that it blocks or reduced white blood cells into your upper respiratory tract. With less WBCs in the area, it may shorten the duration of it.

What is the difference between chicken soup and chicken broth?

Soup recipes with chicken broth allow for an easy and convenient way to make it while chicken soup is a hearty meal with noodles, chicken, broth and vegetables. Broth is just liquid while a soup is full of nourishing ingredients, herbs and seasonings to satisfy any cravings.

What are the steps to make chicken soup with bone broth?

The steps to making chicken soup with bone broth are simple and as follows:

Step 1: Assemble your ingredients.

Any chicken soup worth its weight needs a strong base: the broth. Homemade bone broth is incredibly rewarding, however, sometimes convenience takes precedence over tradition. 

If you do want to make your own, try our recipes for chicken bone broth. Your grandma may not approve of using store bought version, that is why my company exists. Back to the recipe.

Step 2: Cook chicken and vegetables separately

Cook your chicken first, then remove from your pot and cook your veggies.

Step 3: Add Bone Broth and simmer

Add your tasty bone broth to your vegetables, along with herbs and spices in your pot. Add the chicken back in and bring to a boil.

Its as simple as that! Get the full step-by-step recipe below.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup avocado oil, divided (or olive oil)
• 1 pound skin on chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite sized chunks
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3-4 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 large celery stalks, chopped
• 6-8 garlic cloves, chopped (you can never have too much)
• 1 thumb size piece of ginger, chopped 
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
• ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
• ½ tsp ground turmeric 
• 8 cups chicken bone broth (or 4 cups water, 4 cups broth)
• Parsley to garnish

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy-bottom soup pot over medium high heat. 
2. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for about 4 minutes. Stir and continue cooking, stirring until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.  
3. Remove the chicken and any accumulated juices to a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm.
4. Return the soup pot to medium heat with 2 tablespoons oil. 
5. Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, turmeric and cook, stirring often until the vegetables are soft, 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Add bone broth, chicken and rosemary, cover and bring to a gentle boil over high heat. 
7. Remove lid, reduce heat to a low simmer and cook until vegetables are tender, 15-45 minutes.
8. Remove rosemary stems, serve and enjoy!
9. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Crockpot

1. Place your onion, carrots, celery, garlic, ginger, rosemary to the bottom of a 6L or larger crock pot.
2. Place chicken on top of the vegetables, add your water, salt, turmeric, pepper.
3. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
4. Enjoy with some fresh parsley garnish sprinkled on top.

Notes

This recipe is naturally grain free, gluten free and dairy free. Great if you have any food sensitivities as the collagen rich bone broth naturally soothes your digestive system. 

In typical Connor fashion, my healthy chicken soup recipe is a bit different. I cook with lots of garlic, ground turmeric and ginger because of their anti inflammatory and gut healing properties.

The more of these foods I eat, the stronger I feel and more energy I have. It also helps a ton with recovery from all of the ultramarathon races I do.

This is all to the chagrin of people who hang out with me because of the garlic.

Regardless, this soup will stop a cold or flu season in its tracks! It’s warming, comforting, vibrant and delicious.

Best of all, it is simple! One pot to rule them all. You’re home will smell delicious whilst it simmers away. On to the ingredients. 

What type of bones are best for making bone broth?

The best bones are chicken feet, bare none. Feet give you the most bang for your buck for making a thick, gelatinous bone broth because they are full of collagen and connective tissue.

If you can't find them, opt for drumsticks and wings. You can also use whole chickens, leftover rotisserie chicken bones or carcasses and necks. Although these do not work as well and you need to use more to get the same result.

For full details read my in depth article on selecting the best bones for broth.

What are the benefits of using bone broth in chicken soup?

The benefits of using bone broth in chicken soup are:

1. It adds flavor and is a great way to bring all of the ingredients together in one pot.
2. It helps make it healthier by adding amino acids like glycine, glucosamine and proline and nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.
3. It helps your chicken soup taste delicious and rich!

How long does chicken soup with bone broth last?

Chicken soup with bone broth will last for up to one week in your fridge or 12 months in your freezer. You can easily freeze it in single serve containers for later use. That way you just take out what you need and not have the thaw a whole soup at a time.

How do I store chicken soup with bone broth?

You can store it in glass, air tight containers. It is best to pour it in while it's still warm as this will extend the shelf life. Try to avoid plastic containers if you are using the hot fill technique as the heat will leach into the plastic.

Leave an inch or so of space at the top of your container because it may expand a bit as it freezes.

Closing Thoughts

Simple soups with chicken are nourishing and filling... they're the ultimate feel good staple.

Maybe you took the time to make it or your family member made it for you. This reminds us we are being cared for which can help to heal the body. 

Any soup needs the best base. If you don't want to make it yourself. My company, Bluebird Provisions, makes the best chicken bone broth powder for any soup recipe.

It's shelf stable and in a convenient powder form. Meaning that you can leave it in your pantry, take it to work or camping / on vacation. Try some today and let me know what you think in the comments.