When I think of true comfort food, my mind always goes straight to chicken soup, but let’s be honest, sometimes a standard kitchen staple just doesn’t cut it when your system needs a little extra TLC. That’s why I developed this Gut Healing Chicken Soup recipe. As a Registered Dietitian, I wanted to create something incredibly easy—truly one pot!—that actively supports your digestive wellness. This isn’t just soup; it’s functional food that tastes amazing.
We’re loading this up with anti-inflammatory powerhouses like ginger and turmeric, all swimming in nutrient-dense bone broth. You don’t need fussy techniques or a dozen pots. Trust me, this simple recipe proves that nurturing your gut health can be both delicious and totally fuss-free. You can find more amazing, easy meals perfect for little ones over at our easy family recipes section!
Why This Gut Healing Chicken Soup Supports Wellness
When you’re simmering this broth, you aren’t just warming up dinner; you’re actively supporting your body, which is what I love about creating recipes like this. Every ingredient here is chosen with digestion in mind. It’s fantastic when you need something easy and hits those tags like High Protein Soups, but it’s gentle enough to feel like a reset button for your system. Plus, since it’s loaded with good veggies, it makes for a wonderful Low Calorie Meal!
The Role of Bone Broth in Your Gut Healing Chicken Soup
Bone broth is the superstar here, no question. It’s packed with collagen and gelatin as it breaks down. Think of it like smooth, soothing mortar for your intestinal lining. When you’re focused on gut health, those amino acids truly help fortify things internally. It’s such a simple ingredient with big benefits!
Anti-Inflammatory Power from Ginger and Turmeric
Ginger and turmeric aren’t just for color, though that deep yellow is beautiful! Both of these spices are famous for their anti-inflammatory compounds. When your gut is feeling irritated or upset, these ingredients work to calm things down internally. That warmth you feel when you eat it? That’s the healing starting!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Gut Healing Chicken Soup
Okay, let’s talk about what goes into this powerhouse soup! Since we’re focusing on healing, the quality and the prep of these items matter a ton—it just builds that trust in the final product. I broke the ingredients down into easy groups so you can gather everything before you even turn the stove on. Remember, prepping those veggies finely makes the flavor bloom better!
Soup Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion (Finely diced)
- 1 stalk celery (Finely diced)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic (Minced)
- 8 cups bone broth (Chicken flavored)
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1.5 teaspoons dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
Vegetables and Chicken for the Gut Healing Chicken Soup
This is where the real nutrition sinks in! Don’t skip shredding that chicken first; it warms up so much faster that way. Having all these veggies makes this a stellar easy savory recipe.
- 2 large carrots (Shredded or chopped)
- 0.5 cup cremini mushrooms
- 0.5 cup kale (Thinly chopped)
- 1 large zucchini (Chopped)
- 2 chicken breast (Shredded, boneless, skinless)
- 12 ounces gluten-free egg noodles (Or pasta of choice)
Optional Toppings and Seasoning Adjustments
These are just little extras to make it absolutely perfect for your palate when you finish up this awesome Gut Healing Chicken Soup.
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (Chopped)
- 1 dash sea salt (To taste)
- 1 splash lemon juice (To taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing Gut Healing Chicken Soup
Honestly, the best part about this recipe is that it all happens in one big pot! It’s exactly the kind of simple, wholesome task I prescribe for my clients when they need nourishment without the fuss. Since this is such a great Meal Prep Soup, you’ll want to make a double batch! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a deeply flavorful, healing soup ready in under an hour.
Sauté Aromatics for Flavor Base
First things first, we build that foundation! Get your olive oil warming up in your big pot over medium-high heat. Toss in your finely diced onions and celery. You’re looking for them to get soft and translucent, which takes about 8 to 10 minutes. We want them sweet, not brown. Once they look glassy, throw in your minced garlic and stir like mad for just one more minute until you can really smell it. Careful not to burn the garlic; that little bit of time before adding liquid is crucial!
Simmering the Broth and Spices in Your Gut Healing Chicken Soup
Now for the magic mix! Pour in all eight cups of that precious bone broth. Next, whisk in the turmeric, ginger, dried thyme, and black pepper. Make sure everything is combined well, then bring the whole thing up to a serious boil. Once it’s bubbling hard, that’s when you reduce the heat slightly so it can just simmer happily along while the flavors marry. This step really sets up the flavor backbone of your Gut Healing Chicken Soup.
Cooking Vegetables and Noodles
Time to load up the goodness! Drop in your carrots, mushrooms, kale, and zucchini. Let that simmer gently for about 10 minutes until those carrots are nice and tender. Next, add your gluten-free egg noodles. Pay attention to the package directions here—if you choose a tiny pasta, it will cook way faster than the 10 minutes specified! We just need it soft, not mushy.
Finishing and Serving the Digestive-Friendly Soup Recipe
When the noodles are perfect, it’s time for the chicken. Gently stir in your shredded, cooked chicken just to warm it through for about 5 minutes; we don’t want to overcook it and dry it out. Taste it now! Adjust your sea salt for preference. Right before serving this incredible digestive-friendly soup recipe, drizzle a splash of fresh lemon juice over the entire pot—it brightens everything up! Garnish with parsley and pepper flakes if you like a little kick.
Tips for the Best Gut Healing Chicken Soup
Even though this Gut Healing Chicken Soup is super flexible, there are a few little tweaks I always recommend. Remember, I look at food through the lens of nourishment, so quality ingredients really shine through here. Don’t treat this like a strict medical protocol, though; it’s meant to be enjoyable! Think of these as my favorite shortcuts I’ve picked up from practicing nutrition for years.
Ingredient Swaps for Your Healing Soup for Wellness
If you don’t have chicken breast on hand, feel free to use leftover turkey or even shredded rotisserie chicken—that speeds things up for a quick dinner! As for veggies, this recipe is fantastic if you want to incorporate more soup recipes fodder. Swap the zucchini for parsnips or add half a cup of sweet potato chunks, but just remember to toss those harder veggies in earlier when you sauté the original mix so they have time to soften up nicely in your Gut Healing Chicken Soup.
Maximizing Flavor in Light Dinners
The lemon juice at the end is not optional in my book, even if you’re serving this as one of your Light Dinners! It acts like a final squeeze of brightness that cuts through the earthiness of the turmeric and brings all the flavors forward. Also, if you have fresh thyme, absolutely use that instead of dried! You might need about three times the amount, but the floral scent of fresh herbs always makes a soup feel instantly richer.
Storage and Reheating Your Gut Healing Chicken Soup
This is where the magic of meal prepping comes in! Since this Gut Healing Chicken Soup is so restorative, I always make sure I have leftovers stashed away. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for about four days. Just make sure you store it in airtight containers—I use glass containers because they are great for reheating later.
If you’re making a huge batch for later, definitely freeze it! It holds up wonderfully in the freezer for up to three months. Here’s my only big tip for leftovers: always reheat it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Don’t blast it in the microwave on high. That slow reheating keeps the vegetables tender and makes sure the broth stays silky, not separated. Plus, it smells amazing all over again!
If you’re using the slow cooker but want to pull this out later, check out our guide for slow cooker timing—you might be able to just toss it in the crockpot straight from frozen!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe
I know you might have a few questions when you’re cooking for wellness! It’s smart to check in on substitutions and ingredient function, especially with a Gut Healing Chicken Soup. Here are some things I hear often in my kitchen and from my clients.
Can I make this Gut Healing Chicken Soup without noodles?
Oh, absolutely! If you’re watching your carb intake or just want a super lean broth, just skip them! Leaving the noodles out makes this an even lighter option, perfect for a truly Light Dinner. Since the chicken and vegetables still provide great protein and nutrients, it’s still incredibly filling and beneficial for your gut.
What is the best way to add more vegetables to this recipe?
That’s the fun part! This recipe is already robust with Vegetable Soups material, but if you want an even bigger veggie boost, add heartier root veggies like sweet potatoes or parsnips right when you add the broth, because they need more time to cook down. For an ultra-smooth texture, you can scoop out about two cups of the broth and veggies before adding the noodles, blend them smooth, and stir them back in. Talk about thickening naturally!
Is this an anti-inflammatory chicken soup suitable for sensitive stomachs?
That is exactly the goal! Since we steered clear of heavy dairy and high-FODMAP elements, this is designed to be incredibly gentle. The combination of the bone broth, cooked-down mirepoix (onion/celery), and the calming spices makes this a genuinely digestive-friendly soup recipe that most sensitive stomachs handle beautifully.
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot
Now, I know what you’re thinking! When we cook with nutrition in mind, we always wonder about macros. It’s important to remember that this is just an estimate because the exact size of your zucchini or how much oil you soak up in your noodles can change things slightly. This snapshot is based on dividing the recipe evenly into 6 standard bowls, using the ingredients listed (let’s call this Option A).
It’s definitely great for those looking for High Protein Soups that keep you satisfied without weighing you down:
- Calories: Approximately 350 – 400 per serving
- Protein: Around 28g – 32g (Thanks, chicken and broth!)
- Fat: Roughly 12g – 15g
- Carbohydrates: About 35g – 40g (This reflects the noodles and root vegetables)
See? It hits that sweet spot. It’s filling enough for a satisfying dinner but light enough that you won’t feel sluggish afterward. Perfect for a cozy night in!
Share Your Gut Healing Chicken Soup Experience
I absolutely love hearing how this soup works for your family! Please take a moment to rate this Gut Healing Chicken Soup down below and tell me what modifications you tried. Did you add extra garlic? Did you swap the kale for spinach? I’m Emma Brooks, and seeing your photos and hearing your results truly makes my day!
Don’t forget, if you want to share a picture or just send a quick note about your favorite part, you can always reach out via our contact page!
Gut Healing Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the olive oil, onions, and celery to a large pot. Heat over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the vegetables become translucent.
- Add the garlic and stir for one more minute.
- Add the bone broth, thyme, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir in the carrots, mushrooms, kale, and zucchini. Allow the soup to boil gently for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the gluten-free egg noodles or your pasta choice. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are soft and cooked through. Note that if you use a smaller pasta shape, the noodles will cook faster; follow the time on your package.
- Add the cooked chicken and warm it gently for 5 minutes.
- Serve the soup with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes. Adjust the salt to your preference. Finish with a splash of fresh lemon juice on top.