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Comforting Sick Day Chicken Soup Recipe That Really Heals Fast

comforting sick day chicken soup - featured image

A simple, nourishing chicken soup designed to soothe and aid recovery on sick days with fresh herbs, immune-boosting ingredients, and a slow-simmered broth.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (700g) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (optional)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 cups (1.9 liters) filtered water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (150g) egg noodles or rice (optional)
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse the chicken thighs and pat dry. Chop carrots, celery, and onion into roughly 1-inch pieces. Smash garlic cloves with the side of a knife.
  2. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, add chicken thighs, chopped vegetables, garlic, sliced ginger, thyme, bay leaf, turmeric powder, and water or chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
  4. Remove chicken thighs using tongs or a slotted spoon and set aside to cool slightly. Shred the meat off the bones, discarding bones and skin.
  5. Optional: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve for a clearer broth or leave the vegetables in for texture. Return shredded chicken and vegetables to the broth.
  6. Optional: Bring soup back to a gentle boil and add egg noodles or rice. Cook 8-10 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.
  7. Season soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in chopped parsley or cilantro.
  8. Serve warm immediately.

Notes

Do not boil broth vigorously to avoid cloudiness and bitterness. Skim foam for a clear broth. Add noodles or rice last to prevent mushiness. Adjust seasoning gradually as salt intensifies during simmering. For gluten-free, omit noodles or use rice. Adding a splash of lemon juice or low-sodium soy sauce can enhance flavor. Slow cooker method: cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours, add noodles at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, sick day recipe, healing soup, immune-boosting, comfort food, homemade broth, ginger, turmeric, easy chicken soup