I believe there is 1 key ingredient to a good healing chicken soup...
A chicken soup that's not just nourishing for the body (especially when you're unwell), but nourishing for the soul.
That special ingredient is the chicken broth itself.
When you slow cook or boil any meat with the bone still intact such as chicken, beef or lamb, you're not just getting the benefits of the protein from the meat - but you're also getting those really nutrient dense minerals that lurk inside the bones.
In my healing journey I found broths to be one of the most healing things for my body, and is still a go-to for me anytime I'm wanting some more immune or gut support.
On top of being extremely good for you, if you pick the right recipe, they are also suuuuper delicious.
I've compiled a list of some of the best healing chicken soup recipes that I could find. These are from chefs, foodies and bloggers around the world (a lot of aussies) and they will rock your socks.
To get the full benefits you 100% want to make sure your chicken is organic, free range and has no hormones, antibiotics or any of that unnecessary rubbish.
With most conventional food, you can't just 'wash off' the pesticides or antibiotics. That stuff is GROWN INTO the food. Same with meat. You can't really boil out the hormones, antibiotics and other toxins that the chickens grew up with.
If it's a bit of a stretch in your budget to buy certified organic, try and find a local butcher that you know has good quality chicken that hasn't been exposed to the mishaps of modern farming. They are definitely around!
We will most likely be adding more recipes to this as we discover more, and if you have a great recipe you'd love featured feel free to DM us on instagram @sprayfreefarmacy or email us at hello@sprayfreefarmacy.com!
Anyway, let's get into the recipes!
#1: Quirky Cooking's My Healing Chicken Soup Recipe!
I'm a big fan of Jo Whitton's work with quirky cooking. As someone who has a sensitive gut, her style of cooking is one of the most effective in supporting my body especially if I'm feeling run down.
The basis for this broth is the healing power of chicken broth, is chockas full of veggies, and is also a great way of using up all those leftover veggies at the end of the week!
https://www.quirkycooking.com.au/2017/09/fighting-colds-flus-healing-chicken-soup-recipe/
#2: Sense and Edibility's Medicine Bomb Chicken Soup
One of the things I love about this recipe is it's heavy on fresh herbs & spices.
You're getting 8 different healing ingredients on top of the healing power of broth, and to think this masterpiece was created just by using up what was left around the house!
Again, a great way to use up fresh herbs that are on their way out, or better yet - when freshly bought.
https://senseandedibility.com/medicinal-chicken-soup/
#3 Cooks with Soul's Chicken Pho Noodle Soup (pressure cooker)
This is a delicious and simple pho noodle soup, which is a special type of Vietnamese dish.
The recipe I chose isn't specifically a 'healing' chicken soup, but if you swap the water for stock or chicken broth... then BOOM you have the perfect healing chicken pho noodle soup!
I'd also recommend using coconut oil or olive oil as the recommended oil for this.
Also if you don't have a pressure cooker, you can just do this on a stove.
https://cookswithsoul.com/chicken-pho-noodle-soup/
#4 Dr Axe's Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
Dr Axe has a plethora of good recipes on his site, and this one is no exception. If you're wanting something that has the benefits of a healing chicken soup, but with the kick of a Thai Coconut Curry then you'll love this.
The only ingredient you might have trouble finding is the bamboo shoots, but apart from that - go for gold!
https://draxe.com/recipes/thai-coconut-chicken-soup/
#5 Quirky Cooking's Coconut Lemon Chicken Soup
As I mentioned, I'm a fan of Jo Whitton's cooking and this recipe is no exception.
If you're a fan of coconut lemon chicken, then you'll definitely enjoy this healing soup version.
https://www.quirkycooking.com.au/2009/07/coconut-lemon-chicken-soup/
#6: Living Well Mom's Healing Paleo Chicken Soup
While most of these recipes in this list are indeed paleo friendly, this one adds a few little bonus twists and ingredients on a classic chicken soup recipe that I think you'll like!
For the fish sauce, you should be able to find an organic version of it online - there are a few good brands out there.
https://livingwellmom.com/healing-paleo-chicken-soup/
#7: Prana Thrive's Gut Healing Chicken Noodle Soup
Oodles of zoodles! Prana Thrive has turned a traditional chicken noodle soup into a sensitive-gut-friendly one by swapping out the noodles for zucchini noodles aka zoodles.
If you'd like the zoodles a little bit softer you can cook/let them soak in the hot broth for a little longer.
Your gut and taste buds will def be happy with this one!
https://pranathrive.com/gut-healing-chicken-soup/
#8 Jamie Olivers' Miso & Wild Rice Chicken Soup
Old mate Jamie Oliver combines the benefits of miso soup AND broth in this banger. He also adds in nutrient dense medicinal mushrooms and uses wild rice for a small dose of good quality carbs. Thanks Jamie!
https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/super-tasty-miso-broth/
#9 Ambitious Kitchens' 'Best Chicken Soup You'll Ever Eat'
For those that can tolerate a bit of wheat and cous-cous, you'll enjoy the thick creaminess of this cous-cous based chicken soup.
If you still dig the recipe but want it to be gluten free, you can just simply remove the cous-cous or replace it with your favourite gluten-free grains such as quinoa or buckwheat.
https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/the-best-chicken-soup-recipe/