Description
Hearty anti-inflammatory turmeric chicken soup brings comfort and healing in one delicious bowl. Nourishing ingredients combine to support wellness while delivering rich, complex flavors that soothe and restore health.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 tbsps olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 cup chopped sweet potatoes (or white potatoes)
- 1 cup kale or spinach, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté diced onions until softened and translucent, releasing their sweet essence.
- Spice Awakening: Incorporate minced garlic, grated ginger, ground turmeric, cumin, and paprika. Stir vigorously to activate the spices’ aromatic oils and therapeutic properties, allowing them to bloom for 1-2 minutes.
- Vegetable Integration: Add carrots, celery, and zucchini to the fragrant base. Gently sauté the vegetables, creating a robust flavor foundation and initiating their tenderization process.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth into the pot, bringing to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and let vegetables transform, developing deep, harmonious flavors for 10-15 minutes.
- Final Assembly: Introduce shredded chicken and spinach (or kale) to the simmering liquid. Allow ingredients to meld, ensuring greens wilt and chicken reaches optimal temperature. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and optionally brighten with a splash of lemon juice for added complexity.
- Serving: Ladle the vibrant, nourishing soup into bowls. Pair with whole-grain bread for a complete, anti-inflammatory meal that supports holistic wellness and provides maximum nutritional benefits.
Notes
Optimize Spice Intensity: Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to release deeper, more complex flavor profiles and enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and cumin.
Chicken Selection Matters: Use organic, free-range chicken for maximum nutrient density and cleaner protein that complements the soup’s healing potential, ensuring a more robust and wholesome dish.
Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust chicken broth quantity based on desired soup thickness – less liquid creates a heartier stew-like texture, while more broth produces a lighter, more traditional soup consistency.
Boost Nutrient Absorption: Add a pinch of black pepper alongside turmeric to significantly increase curcumin absorption, maximizing the soup’s anti-inflammatory benefits and supporting overall wellness more effectively.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg