GF Chicken Noodle Soup
If you’ve been hit with a cold, flu, or other virus this winter, GF Chicken Noodle Soup may be just the ticket to your feeling better soon! I recently had a cold and was really craving some chicken noodle soup. But it’s hard to find GF Chicken Noodle soup in most stores. And many store-bought soups are usually full of ingredients you don’t want like thickeners, gums, and flavorings.
So I decided to make my own, and WOW! It was the bomb! Studies have shown several reasons that chicken noodle soup can help you feel better when you’re sick. So let’s look at how GF Chicken Noodle Soup can help you feel better, faster.
Hydration: The broth in chicken noodle soup helps keep you hydrated, which is essential when you’re sick. Staying hydrated is important for overall health and can help relieve symptoms like sore throat and congestion.
Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: The chicken, vegetables, and noodles, provide a mix of nutrients. Chicken is a great source of protein, to help you feel stronger when you’re sick. And according to Beth Israel Medical Center, “carrots and celery are a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as other antioxidants and minerals. Not only does this help build a healthy immune system to fight off viruses, it also helps your body recover from illness more quickly.” Plus the garlic, and ginger add additional health benefits, vitamins, and minerals that also support the immune system. And when chicken cooks in soup, it releases the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine helps to thin mucus in the lungs and nasal cavity, promoting decongestion and quicker healing. (You may be familiar with the supplement NAC or n-acetyl cysteine which also thins mucous. And I took that during my cold too.)
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Studies suggest that chicken noodle soup has mild anti-inflammatory effects too. The warm broth helps soothe a sore throat. And research also indicates that chicken noodle soup can lower the number of white blood cells traveling to inflamed tissues, thus reducing inflammation in the nasal passages and throat.
Easy to Digest: When you’re not feeling well, your appetite and digestion may be compromised. Chicken noodle soup is generally easy to digest, making it a suitable choice for individuals with reduced appetite or digestive discomfort. Even if you’re not Celiac or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive, there are lots of benefits from going glute-free. And a gluten-free diet can be easier on everyone’s digestion.
Comfort and Psychological Benefits: Beyond its nutritional aspects, chicken noodle soup is often associated with comfort and is considered a “feel-good” food. The warmth and familiar taste can have psychological benefits, making individuals feel better even if it’s not a cure for the illness.
Wishing you health and wellness always. But if you should get sick, this soup will have you feeling better in no time!
GF Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 2 organic chicken breasts cooked and shredded
- 1 box organic chicken bone broth (32 oz)
- 1 box organic veggie broth (32 oz)
- 2 carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- 2 inch ginger root, grated
- 2-3 clooves garlic finely minced
- 1/2 tsp white pepper, ground
- 1 box GF pasta penne, rotini, etc.
- splash olive oil
Instructions
Chicken
- Buy pre-cooked chicken breasts, or bake or boil the chicken breasts ahead of time.
- Allternatively, you can cook the chicken breasts in the chicken bone broth in an Instapot.
- Shred the cooked chicken breasts. Set aside.
Pasta
- Cook the GF pasta according to box, al dente is best.
- Drain, splash with olive oil and stir to keep pasta from sticking. Set aside.
Soup
- Add both boxes of soup to a large soup pot.
- Add the carrots and celery.
- Add the ginger, garlic, and white pepper.
- Add the shredded chicken.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add the cooked pasta, and continue heating until pasta is hot.
- Serve and enjoy!
