Ah, chicken noodle soup. Is there any food out there that’s more in-demand when someone’s down with a cold or the flu? It’s excellent for clearing out any nasal congestion that you could be dealing with while also lowering inflammation. (1) Unfortunately, many of the store brand versions of pre-packaged chicken noodle soup are full of ingredients that actually do more harm than good. Maltodextrin, corn syrup, and monosodium glutamate are just a handful of ingredients listed in one of the more popular brand names. Instead of purchasing pre-made chicken noodle soup that’s been dried and processed beyond recognition, try out this paleo chicken noodle soup recipe instead.
Homemade Chicken Soup, An All Natural Cold/Flu Remedy
This soup recipe possesses all of the essential components of a chicken noodle soup. It’s full of tasty vegetables including spiralized zucchini noodles, real chicken breast, and your choice of homemade or store bought bone broth as well. It’s incredibly quick and easy to prepare and can be ready to go in about 20 minutes. All you have to do is boil the bone broth and add it in with all of the other ingredients whenever you’re ready to enjoy your chicken soup.
As noodles are generally off-limits when following a paleo diet, zucchini is used as a noodle replacement. Zucchini noodles are used in many great recipes, and they fit in perfectly with this chicken noodle soup as well. Unlike high carb rice noodles, zucchini is low in carbs and is an excellent source of B-complex vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and it even helps to keep your blood sugar levels balanced. (2)
In order to further relieve the unpleasant cold and flu symptoms, this soup also adds ginger and ground chili flakes. Ginger is absolutely fantastic for anyone who is feeling under the weather, as it’s a potent anti-inflammatory and helps strengthen the immune system. (3) Chili flakes are also wonderful for helping to fight off infection in your body.
Eat High Protein Meals to Further Boost Immunity
High protein meals have long been associated with sports nutrition and muscle building diets, however, it has many health benefits as well. For instance, it has been shown in studies that eating a high protein meal that contains all the essential amino acids can enhance or preserve immune function and improve the individual’s ability to resist infection. (4) The chicken breast in this recipe is a good source of protein with a complete set of amino acids, so you can rest assured knowing that each ingredient found in this meal is guaranteed to help you feel better as quickly as possible.
The next time you find yourself coming down with a cold or the flu, come back to this recipe and make a little extra for your friends and family in case they catch it too. It’s proven to provide health benefits that can either shorten the cycle of your cold or flu, or prevent it altogether through strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation. Just make sure that you still get plenty of bed rest and drink lots of water in addition to eating chicken noodle soup.
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts
- 2 medium carrots, grated
- 2 small zucchini, cut into noodles
- ½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 spring onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup chopped Chinese cabbage
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups chicken homemade or store-bought bone broth
- 3 cups water
- Combine ground ginger, chili flakes and salt and divide the mixture between 4 large jars.
- Layer the jars with the chicken, carrots, red pepper, zucchini noodles, Chinese cabbage, spring onion and parsley.
- Seal tightly and refrigerate until ready to use.
- When ready to eat, bring the chicken bone broth and water to a boil.
- Pour it over the content of the jars and seal tightly.
- Let the sealed jars sit for 7-8 minutes, then stir and serve.
Quick Paleo Chicken Noodle Soup with Zucchini Noodles
Jess (Paleo Grubs)
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