Comforting Chicken Soup Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What brings out the flavor in chicken soup? ›

Both of these are reasons chicken soup is associated with comfort food: you literally feel a physiological sense of comfort. Tryptophan is also used in the liver for producing vitamin B3 (niacin) that you need for metabolizing energy. But we're not stopping there.

“The 2000 study basically found that chicken soup inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis, which is a fancy way of saying it helped temporarily decrease inflammation so those who were sick could temporarily breathe easier,” Pike said.

Try adding some acidity. A splash of lemon juice or a tablespoon of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors of the soup.

Lemons are a chicken soup game changer. Why? They brighten up and balance the salty, rich flavors of the dish, and make all of the ingredients come into line. Like a vinaigrette on a salad, the pickle on a burger, and the sour cream in a coffee cake, a squeeze of lemon gives chicken soup a game-changing brightness.

Sip on a Bowl of Chicken Soup

Many folks feel comforted after eating a bowl of warming chicken soup. Comfort foods, like chicken soup, boost levels of serotonin, which is a brain chemical that produced a calming effect.

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.

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.

Is chicken soup good for weight loss? ›

Soups that have a low glycemic index, for example, mixed vegetable soup, lentil soup or chicken soup, and mushroom soup, are great for you if you wish to lose weight. Since these soups are low in calories and high in satiety, they prevent weight gain and help manage conditions like diabetes.

Fresh Herbs:Add fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor. Citrus Zest:Grate the zest of a lemon or lime into the soup just before serving to add brightness. Ginger and Turmeric:Add grated ginger and a touch of ground turmeric for warmth and depth of flavor.

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

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

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

There are several ingredients you can add to chicken noodle soup to enhance its flavor. Some popular options include fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, spices like garlic powder or paprika, and savory ingredients like diced tomatoes or mushrooms.

All soups and stews must have three major components in order to be tasty: an undercurrent liquid, aromatics, and volumizing ingredients.

Some of our favorites are Dried Shallots, Dehydrated Red Bell Pepper, Dehydrated Green Bell Pepper, Tomato Flakes, Minced Onion and Roasted Garlic Flakes. Or, add a bay leaf to your recipe. The bay leaf will give the soup a little something extra without overwhelming the dish.