Chicken soup is a proven home remedy for colds, sore throats, and coughs. No wonder, because the hot, salty broth is especially helpful for cold symptoms. However, many people nowadays no longer know how to prepare a classic dish without finished products, although it is really effective only with fresh ingredients! We’ll show you a simple basic recipe for chicken soup that’s perfect for colds.
Does chicken soup really cure colds?
Most of the time, the old adage is true that a cold lasts seven days with treatment — and without it, too. Unfortunately, enjoying homemade chicken soup is not a miracle cure that will get you back on your feet quickly, but it can certainly relieve symptoms.
On the one hand, chicken soup has an illusory effect: the classic dish gives us a feeling of warm warmth and one or the other will also feel reminiscent of the kitchen of mother or grandmother. No wonder we crave such simple dishes when we’re feeling down. However, the following ingredients in chicken soup also have an effect on colds:
- chicken bones: Gelatin has an anti-inflammatory effect and can support detoxification, digestion and restful sleep.
- salt: If you eat less when you have a cold, you need the salt and minerals it contains so that you don’t feel sleepy
- Water: Adequate fluid intake is especially important in case of illness. Moisturizing the throat area helps treat a sore throat.
- Celery root: Contains Vitamin K which is important for Vitamin D absorption. Together, they strengthen the immune system.
- Carrots: Contains Vitamin A – also important for the immune system.
- Onions and leeks: Cough support and sore throat relief.
- parsley: Rich in vitamin C, which is important in fighting infections.
You need this for chicken soup
You can get ready-made chicken soup cheaply in the supermarket from the can or as a powder for mixing, but in this form the dish helps only a little. The best soup made with fresh ingredients. Classic chicken soup for colds should definitely contain the following:
- Fresh whole chicken or bone-in chicken
- Fresh vegetable soup: leeks, celery, carrots, parsley
- Onions
- pepper and salt
An easy recipe for classic chicken soup
You don’t need great cooking skills to make chicken soup. It may take longer than preparing a can of soup, but once it’s all chopped up all you have to do is wait. If you are seriously ill, then of course you should let another nice person cook you the healing soup.
Ingredients:
- Whole chicken soup
- 2 packages vegetable broth (or half celery, leeks, 4 carrots and a handful of parsley)
- one onion
- 2 tablespoons canola or sunflower oil
- pepper and salt
- 2 bay leaves
Prepare:
- Rinse the chicken under running water and place in a large saucepan. Cover the chicken with plenty of water, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and leave covered for 1.5 hours.
- Wash and peel the vegetable soup. Cut the celery, onions and carrots into small cubes, and chop the leeks into thin rings. Chop the parsley to the smallest size possible. Save some for decoration.
- When the cooking time is up, remove the pot from the stove and remove the chicken from the pot. Reserve the boiling broth (cooking water). Separate the bones from the meat and discard them. Break the leftover meat into small pieces.
- In another large saucepan, add the oil and fry the onions until translucent. Then add the vegetables. After about two minutes you can pour the chicken broth. Let the soup cook for 10 minutes. If you like, you can also add pasta or potatoes in this step.
- Finally add the chicken and season the soup with salt and pepper. If necessary, you can get rid of excess fat on the surface. Garnish the finished dish with parsley at the end.
Optional Ingredients for Chicken Soup:
- clam pasta
- Alphabet pasta
- rice
- dumplings
- Gnocchi
- Potato
- Green Peas
- bread peas
Detoxifying plant foods can also help with infections:
Image Credit: Getty Images / Nataly Hanin
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