The Coziest Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Winter (2024)

FAQs

Is chicken noodle soup really a good remedy for a cold? ›

Even the warmth of chicken soup can help. Drinking the liquid and inhaling the vapors increase the temperature of nasal and respiratory passages, which loosens the thick mucus that often accompanies respiratory illnesses. Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus.

For virtually anything but the brothy bois, like chicken noodle soup or Italian minestrone, you could also stir in some coconut milk, warmed cream, or crème fraîche to add body and richness.

As it does with turkey, the body uses tryptophan from chicken to make melatonin—which can help you rest—and serotonin, the chemical that signals your nerves and makes you feel happy and at ease. Both of these are reasons chicken soup is associated with comfort food: you literally feel a physiological sense of comfort.

Bone broth serves as a great way to replenish the fluids that you're losing, while also providing your body with valuable electrolytes from the sodium in the broth. These electrolytes will also help you absorb the water more easily.

Chicken is especially rich in a compound called carnosine, and it's this that studies suggest helps reduce that stuffy, congested feeling in your nose and throat. It's thought that carnosine minimises inflammation in the upper respiratory tract by stopping the migration of white blood cells.

For a deeply flavorful chicken soup, get some boneless, skinless chicken thighs, season them, brown them in a skillet, then finish them in a 375 F oven. You can refrigerate them until you're ready to make the soup, then simply dice them up and add them to the soup at the very end.

Herbs and spices add aroma, flavor, and intensity to soup broth. "Use fresh or dried basil in tomato-based recipes or fresh parsley to add freshness to clear broth soups," says Sofia Norton, RD. You can also go with more heat and spices.

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

Feeling shaky after eating may be a sign of idiopathic postprandial syndrome, along with other symptoms like chills, sweating, and lightheadedness. It might also be a symptom of postprandial reactive hypoglycemia, which occurs when you experience low blood sugar levels 2 to 5 hours after eating.

Why do doctors recommend chicken noodle soup? ›

A hot, steamy, soothing bowl of chicken noodle soup is just what the doctor ordered when you're under the weather. Although the ingredients in chicken noodle soup are there for flavor, they also provide important health benefits. The broth provides hydrating fluid and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

To Support Gut Health

As the gut is the key to our overall health and immunity, it makes sense that we must nourish it with nutrient-dense wholefoods. And when it comes to gut nourishment, there's nothing more healing than bone broth—the base of any great chicken soup.

Start with clear fluids, like the diluted apple juice used in the study. Once they are keeping that down well, you can try milk or other fluids. The "dilute" part is also a good place to start. A little extra water, and a little less sugar, is easier on the stomach.

Bouillon is made by removing the water from chicken broth, leaving all the flavor of the broth without the volume. Bouillon is typically sold as a loose powder or compact cube, which can be redissolved in boiling water to create an instant broth. One benefit of using chicken bouillon is its shelf stability.

Furthermore, chicken bouillon lacks nutrients and only provides small amounts of vitamins and minerals, including copper and selenium. Additionally, some varieties may contain MSG, a common additive used to enhance the flavor of many foods. Some people avoid MSG due to concerns about its long-term health effects.

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

Research shows that some soups – such as chicken and vegetable flavours – can help the body to kick a cold by easing congestion and inflammation. Stock up on Campbell's Soup collection to get you through the seasonal sickness.

To enhance their flavors and, of course, help warm us up from the inside out. All that being said, you can have your pick of any soup to snack on straight from the can, and really any other canned good in your pantry.

Chicken noodle soup also contains many nutrients that are great for boosting immunity and helping you fight cold and flu symptoms, including zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It is also easily digested and not hard on your stomach.