Feeling a bit under the weather? Chicken soup will fix ya. At least, that’s what my mom says. Whenever I was down with a cold or just feeling achy all over, she’d make a nice pot of chicken and rice soup and nurse me back to health. Whether you swear by the curative powers of chicken soup or not, it’s hard to deny the comfort you get from a nice bowl of this simple yet flavorful soup, particularly if your mommy is sitting by your bed feeding you by the spoonful.
Moms are great like that. They can pretty much fix anything.
Rumor has it that lots of folks could use some old-fashioned comforting these days. Maybe you caught some bug from someone at work or in school, or maybe it’s just a case of too much winter already. Whatever it is, we’re here to help. And in true Tasty Kitchen style, we’re showing you a number of different ways to change up this tried-and-true classic.
Clockwise from top left: Ree’s Homemade Chicken and Noodles and Simple, Hearty, Chicken and Rice Soup, Quick Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup from ThreeManyCooks, Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup from Lauren’s Latest, Homestyle Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup from missinthekitchen, and Gluten Free Chicken “Noodle” Soup from elanaspantry.
You can even go across the border, borrow a few Tex-Mex flavors, and jazz up that pot of soup. Sometimes, the added spice can really perk you up inside, and many herbs and spices are touted to have additional anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, you get chips in your soup. Just the thought of it makes me feel better already.
Clockwise from top left: Easy One Pot Tortilla Soup from HowSweetEats, Chicken Enchilada Soup from realmomkitchen, Ree’s excellent Chicken Tortilla Soup (she didn’t pay me to say that), Chipotle Chicken Soup from bderas, Chicken Tortilla Soup from tadacreations, and Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup from mommyhatescooking.
Perhaps you’d rather travel over into the Mediterranean, where chicken soup commonly made with lemon (vitamin C!) and egg. Or you can add some beans to boost the protein content. I actually like soup with beans the day after, when some of the beans have dissolved into the soup, making it rich and creamy.
Clockwise from top left: Slow Cooker Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup from sweet anna’s, Mediterranean Chicken, Bean and Pasta Soup from cookincanuck, Easy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup from foodieq, and Chickpea Chicken Soup from HowSweetEats.
Finally, we can go clear across to the other side of the world, where they have everything from simple chicken soup with greens and ginger to Thailand’s classic chicken soup with coconut milk and lemongrass, one of my personal favorites. That is, until I spied ericalea’s Coconut & Chicken Curry Soup, which looks like it could become my new favorite.
Clockwise from top left: Quick Thai Coconut Soup from EatLiveRun, Tom Ka Kai (Chicken Coconut and Mushroom Soup) from jlclawson, Mustard Green Chicken Soup from Liv Wan, Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup – Phở Gà from nancyvnjourney, Thai Chicken Soup with Cilantro-Infused Rice from thekitchenpixie, and Coconut & Chicken Curry Soup from ericalea.
Whether you need the comfort of a nice bowl of soup or just want a hearty, delicious meal, chicken soup is always a good choice.
Do you have a favorite cure for what ails you? Something your mom, dad, grandma or grandpa made for you that always made you feel better? Do share! (And if your mom made you chocolate cake whenever you were under the weather, can I come live with you?)
27 Comments
Comments are closed for this recipe.
gaelowyn on 2.24.2011
I make batches of soups just about every 3-4 weeks. I haven’t done chicken in a while, as i’ve been using up some older beef soup/shanks and ham bones in our deep freeze. time to pull out the whole chickens and go to town!!! I love having a freezer full of individual servings of different soups. I honestly eat soup for lunch 5-6 days a week, and for snacks(smaller portion! of course) another 2-3 days a week. Tons of veg, protein, flavor, and comfort!
thanks for some new inspiration!
Nan Peach on 2.23.2011
I always make homemade chicken soup for my family when they are ill….instant cure! The key is the totally from scratch soup……they can feel the love….
kimberlee on 2.22.2011
I woke up with a sinus infection today and have been wanting chicky noodle soup so I came straight to PW and now…I can’t decide which one to make!!
Amy D on 2.22.2011
i’m much more of a lurker on tasty kitchen than a commenter, but these soups just look amazing, especially the thai chicken coconut soups. i think i have to give jlclawson’s recipe a try really soon!
Happy When Not Hungry on 2.22.2011
Wow all of these dishes look amazing! Great comfort food. Love your photos too!
Kerrie on 2.22.2011
Rice congee is just the most amazing pick me up…I love it with a lot of ginger, garlic, green onions and soy sauce. It feels like it is actually doing you some good.
Bonnie from Louisiana on 2.22.2011
Whenever one of us gets under the weather, I make a big pot of simple chickn soup. Stewing hen, some onions, celery, carrots, garlic, ground pepper, sea salt. No noodles, no rice, no dumplings, no bullion cubes, no nothing, just lots of chicken and veggies. Simple, tasty and good for ya (with saltine crackers on the side). My grandmother used to call a big pot of chicken soup, Jewish penicillin (I do not mean to offend anyone, thats just what she called it). You want to get rid of the flu, have home made chicken soup. Don’t know how or why, but it works. You’ll feel better in NO TIME!!.
Rivki Locker on 2.21.2011
For me, it’s chicken soup…with matzo balls! A wonderful Jewish comfort food that’s good for all sorts of ailments!
mommyhatescooking on 2.21.2011
Love chicken soup and all the variations that are bound to be tried!
Brittany on 2.21.2011
All of these look great! I love these kind of post where you have a big selection! I always find several that I want to try!
Sabrina Smeraldini on 2.21.2011
I just love any kind of soup.
Personally the best way to have chicken soup is to put a handful of grated parmesan cheese on top, it gives a good flavour and a lot of energy which is really needed to get over that “winter feeling” in your bones!
Thanks. Sabrina.
Julia on 2.21.2011
I made a huge pot of minestra maritata, or Italian wedding soup, on Friday. I think it kept me from getting the cold my husband has, because I feel just fine even 3 days later.
There are many variations on minestra maritata, but the one I make has chicken meatballs and I use whatever bitter-ish greens look best. Kale, chard, rapini, even spinach or a combination of two or more. Soooo good!
Lidia Bastianich’s or Ina Garten’s recipe for wedding soup are good jumping off points.
Hilary on 2.21.2011
Looks yummy! My grandma used to make a yummy beef-vegetable-bean soup that was hearty, filling, and perfect for cold weather days or any time I was in need of comfort.
carol on 2.21.2011
Soup is my favorite food. The one I go to when I feel blah or ill. Chicken soup is by far the best but, any will do….
Growing up when we were ill, my Dad would make us egg nog. It was served in a special mug with a straw. He didn’t cook often but, his egg nogs were famous. I miss him and remember him while drinking egg nog at Christmastime (store bought to avoid samonella).
Andrea M on 2.21.2011
They all look really delicious I feel I need to try them all.
Rachel H on 2.21.2011
I woke up with a splitting headache this morning and made my first pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. I just used what I had (chicken bouillon, water, celery, carrots, egg noodles, peas, onions, salt, and pepper). Gotta admit, it was a little too salty, but it made me feel better. I think I’d be better off next time going with one of these wonderful recipes above.
EatLiveRun on 2.21.2011
I love a good chicken soup…heals just about everything!
ClovenHoofedHeifer on 2.21.2011
Thank you for this wonderful post. I can’t wait to try these recipes. You’re a gem!
Tiffany on 2.21.2011
I’ll definitely have to try some recipes.. but I work a bajillion hours a week and one of things I make regularly is a combination of shredded rotisserie chicken, chicken stock, a cup of green chile sauce, and cannellini beans. It’s so easy and warms up my soul! (and freezes so well!) … and yes, you can add tortilla chips too!
Kelly on 2.21.2011
Thank you for so many ideas. They all look delicious! Every few weeks, I roast two organic chickens. I carve them and chop the meat to freeze in small portions. Then I freeze each carcass with half of the pan drippings. When you want to make chicken soup, you’re set to go. In the past three weeks, I have made chicken and biscuits, hearty chicken noodle soup, and chicken chileqiles. This is such a healthy and economical way to cook. I am inspired by your post to roast some more chickens this week!
Valleyartproject on 2.21.2011
Wow. all the different variations are wonderful! I will be making chicken soup soon! Thanks!
soufflebombay on 2.21.2011
I just love when you do a round-up Erika!
Now soup on the brain! (Which isn’t a bad thing, much better than cookies lol).
I KNOW I will be making one of these today!
Thanks!!
cjansmile on 2.21.2011
I am so glad I logged in early to be inspired. Tortilla Soup sounds good for lunch
Heather (Heather's Dish) on 2.21.2011
chicken soup just sounds like a lifesaver right now…ESPECIALLY tortilla soup with lots of cheese and chips and guac.
Judith :: Dance While You Cook on 2.21.2011
I love, love, love chicken soup. Can’t wait to try some of these recipes. They all look so good, I might be having a different chicken soup for dinner each night this week! Cinnamon toast was always something mom made when we were sick. It has become the ultimate comfort food for me, and my kids!
Lauren at KeepItSweet on 2.21.2011
Wow, great compilation!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on 2.21.2011
My mom always made a pot roast with egg noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy – total comfort food! I still request it when I am home.