Cozy Immunity-Boosting Chicken Soup Recipe

This delightful immunity-boosting chicken soup offers a warm, comforting embrace with its rich flavors and wholesome, whole-food components designed to support and nourish your body from within. It has become an essential dish in our household throughout the chilly cold and flu season, and truthfully, whenever anyone feels a bit under the weather or in need of a restorative meal. Preparing this soup is incredibly straightforward, and it serves as the ultimate family-friendly comfort food that everyone can savor and appreciate.

• Power-packed with nutrient-dense ingredients that enhance immune function
• Provides a soothing warmth that comforts the body
• Delivers exceptional taste and aroma

Essential Ingredients for This Nourishing Soup

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs bring an unbeatable depth of flavor and moisture, making them my top choice, though chicken breasts or even pre-shredded rotisserie chicken make excellent alternatives. The chicken cooks directly in the soup pot, is removed briefly to shred, and then stirred back in for perfect integration.

Homemade immunity paste: Nothing compares to the vibrant, custom-made immunity paste that elevates this soup to new heights. This powerhouse blend combines carrot, celery, garlic, white onion, lemon juice, parsley, red bell pepper, turmeric, and additional lemon juice, pulsed into a textured, chunky paste that infuses every spoonful with goodness.

A bounty of vegetables: Beyond the vegetables incorporated into the immunity paste, the soup is loaded with cauliflower florets, chunks of sweet potatoes, and vibrant green peas, creating a colorful, veggie-forward profile that’s both satisfying and healthful.

Bone broth: The use of bone broth imparts incredible savory depth and a host of nutritional advantages. Should bone broth be unavailable, regular chicken broth serves as a reliable substitute without compromising the dish’s appeal.

Fresh lemon juice: A generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice is stirred in toward the finish, introducing a bright, zesty citrus note that harmonizes and amplifies all the other wonderful flavors present in the soup.

Fun-shaped pasta: Opt for small ring-shaped pasta as featured in the images for a playful touch, but experiment freely with your preferred varieties such as bow ties, penne, ditalini, or rigatoni to personalize the texture and experience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Immunity-Boosting Soup

1. Create the immunity paste: Begin by combining the carrot, celery, garlic, white onion, lemon juice, parsley, red bell pepper, turmeric, and another splash of lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Pulse the mixture repeatedly until it achieves a consistent, chunky paste texture that’s perfect for flavor distribution.
2. Sauté the sweet potatoes and immunity paste: Warm olive oil in a spacious Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers and releases its aroma, incorporate the immunity paste along with the diced sweet potatoes, stirring occasionally as they sauté for several minutes to develop their flavors.
3. Brown the chicken thighs: Gently shift the sweet potatoes to one side of the pot, then place the chicken thighs into the cleared space. Allow them to sear and develop a golden crust for a couple of minutes per side, enhancing the overall richness of the soup base.
4. Incorporate the cauliflower, bone broth, and ginger: Add the chopped cauliflower, pour in the bone broth, and grate in the fresh ginger. Increase the heat to bring everything to a rolling boil, allowing the ingredients to meld beautifully.
5. Introduce the pasta: Stir in the small pasta shapes and continue cooking until they reach the ideal al dente texture, typically taking just a short while.
6. Shred the chicken: Carefully lift the cooked chicken thighs from the pot, use two forks to shred the tender meat into bite-sized pieces, and promptly return it to the simmering soup for even distribution.
7. Finish with peas, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar: Toss in the frozen peas, the remaining fresh lemon juice, and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Reduce the heat to achieve a gentle simmer, letting the final flavors integrate fully.
8. Serve warm and enjoy: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and serve immediately, relishing its comforting warmth and robust taste.

Customizations and Substitutions

• Chicken options: While boneless skinless chicken thighs provide the best juiciness and flavor, chicken breasts offer a leaner alternative. For a time-saving hack, incorporate shredded rotisserie chicken directly into the soup.
• Broth choices: Bone broth delivers superior nutrition and taste, but if it’s not accessible or preferred, chicken broth or vegetable broth maintains the soup’s delicious integrity effortlessly.
• Add some spice: For those who crave a bit of fire, sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper during the simmering phase to introduce a subtle, warming heat that complements the other elements.
• Enhance the ginger: The recipe includes a moderate amount of ginger for a gentle undertone; to make it more pronounced, simply grate in extra fresh ginger according to your preference for bolder flavor.

Delicious Serving Suggestions

Pair this hearty immunity soup with slices of crusty bread for dipping, or elevate your meal with high-protein dinner rolls if you have a moment to prepare them. For a complete dinner, consider accompanying it with a crisp salad such as a classic Caesar or a refreshing French carrot salad with honey mustard dressing—both options pair wonderfully and add variety to the plate.

Storage and Reheating Guidelines

Keep your prepared immunity soup in an airtight container placed in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh and flavorful for up to five days. When planning for longer storage like freezing, the key advice is to prepare the pasta separately later on. Freezing noodles often leads to a mushy texture upon thawing and reheating, so omit them initially. Follow the recipe through to completion without the pasta, allow the soup to cool thoroughly to room temperature, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or gallon-sized bags. Squeeze out excess air before sealing tightly, and store in the freezer for a maximum of three months for optimal quality.

Microwave reheating: For a single serving, transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming.

Stovetop reheating: When reheating larger quantities, pour the soup into a stockpot (or reuse the original cooking pot), set over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil while stirring occasionally to revive its flavors.

Complete Ingredients List

• 1 large carrot, roughly chopped
• 1 large celery stalk, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• ¼ small white onion
• Zest from one small lemon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
• 1 large red bell pepper, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1.5 teaspoons sea salt, divided
• 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 small head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 8 cups bone broth (chicken preferred)
• 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
• 4 oz. small ring pasta
• 12 oz. frozen green peas
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Detailed Preparation Instructions

First, assemble the signature immunity paste by placing the carrot, celery, garlic, white onion, lemon juice, parsley, red bell pepper, turmeric, and additional lemon juice into a blender or food processor. Pulse several times until the ingredients form a vibrant, chunky paste that will serve as the flavorful foundation of your soup.

Next, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or sturdy pot over medium-high heat until it becomes fragrant. Add the prepared paste to the hot oil, stirring until aromatic, then introduce the cubed sweet potatoes. Season with ½ teaspoon of sea salt and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly and release their natural sweetness.

Shift the sweet potatoes aside within the pot and add the chicken thighs. Sear each side for 1 to 2 minutes, developing a beautiful color and locking in juices for superior tenderness.

Now, add the bite-sized cauliflower pieces, pour in the full 8 cups of bone broth, and stir in the grated fresh ginger. Raise the heat to bring the mixture to a vigorous boil. Once boiling, add the small ring pasta and simmer until it achieves al dente perfection, which usually takes around 7 to 10 minutes depending on the pasta type.

With the pasta tender and chicken fully cooked, remove the thighs from the pot and set aside momentarily. Stir in the frozen peas along with the remaining sea salt, then lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer as the peas thaw and infuse their sweetness.

Shred the rested chicken thighs using two forks into fine strands, then return the pieces to the pot, distributing evenly throughout the soup. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, stirring thoroughly to blend the bright acidity that balances the richness.

Allow the soup to reach your preferred serving temperature, then dish it out hot. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired for that perfect finish.

• Customize further by grating in additional fresh ginger to intensify the warming spice notes.
• For a spicy kick, incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper into the simmering soup, tailoring the heat level to your liking.

Nutritional Profile (per serving): 454 kcal, 39g Carbohydrates, 42g Protein, 15g Fat, 8g Fiber, 9g Sugar. Note that these values are estimated through automated calculation and intended as a general guide rather than precise measurements.