Chicken soup is a proven home remedy for colds, sore throats and coughs. It is not surprising, because hot salty broth is especially useful for cold symptoms. However, today many people do not know how to prepare a classic dish without ready-made products, although it is really effective only with fresh ingredients! We’ll show you a simple basic recipe for the perfect chicken soup for a cold.
Does chicken soup really cure a cold?
In most cases, the old adage that a cold lasts seven days with or without treatment is true. Unfortunately, enjoying homemade chicken soup isn’t a miracle cure that will get you back on your feet quickly, but it can definitely ease your symptoms.
On the one hand, chicken soup has a placebo effect: the classic dish gives us a feeling of cozy warmth, and one thing or another will remind us of our mother’s or grandmother’s kitchen. It’s no wonder we crave such simple meals when we’re sick. However, the following ingredients in chicken soup also affect colds:
- chicken bones: The gelatin it contains has an anti-inflammatory effect and can support detoxification, digestion and restful sleep.
- salt: If you eat little when you have a cold, you need salt and the minerals it contains to keep you from feeling drowsy
- water: Adequate fluid intake is especially important during illness. Wetting the throat area helps with sore throat.
- Celery root: Contains vitamin K, which is important for the absorption of vitamin D. Together, they strengthen the immune system.
- carrots: They contain vitamin A, which is also important for the immune system.
- Onions and leeks: Supports cough and soothes sore throat.
- Part: Rich in vitamin C, which is important for fighting infections.
This is required for chicken soup
You can buy chicken soup inexpensively ready-made from a can in the supermarket or as a powder for mixing, but in this form the dish only helps a little. A soup made from fresh products is better. Classic chicken soup for a cold must contain:
- Whole fresh chicken or boneless chicken
- fresh soup vegetables: leek, celeriac, carrot, parsley
- onion
- pepper and salt
A simple recipe for classic chicken soup
Cooking chicken soup does not require great culinary skills. It might take longer than making a packet of soup, but once you’ve got it all chopped up, all you really have to do is wait. If you are acutely ill, of course you should let another nice person cook you a healing soup.
Ingredients:
- a whole soup chicken
- 2 bunches of soup greens (or half of celeriac, leek, 4 carrots and a bunch of parsley)
- onion
- 2 tablespoons of rapeseed or sunflower oil
- pepper and salt
- 2 bay leaves
Preparation:
- Rinse the chicken under running water and place in a large pot. Pour plenty of water over the chicken, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook covered for 1.5 hours.
- Wash and clean the vegetables for the soup. Cut celery, onion and carrot into small cubes, leek into thin rings. Cut the parsley as finely as possible. Leave some for decoration.
- When the cooking time is up, remove the pan from the stove and remove the chicken from the pan. Keep the broth (water from cooking). Separate the bones from the meat and throw them away. Chop the remaining meat into small pieces.
- In another large pot, add oil and fry the onion until translucent. Then add the vegetables. After about 2 minutes, you can pour in the chicken broth. Let the soup cook for about 10 minutes. If you want, you can also add pasta or potatoes at this stage.
- Finally, add the chicken and season the soup with salt and pepper. If necessary, you can remove excess fat from the surface. At the end, decorate the finished dish with parsley.
Additional ingredients for your chicken soup:
- shellfish paste
- pasta alphabet
- Fig
- Dumplings
- gnocchi
- potato
- Green peas
- baking peas
Detoxifying plant foods can also help with infection:
Image credit: Getty Images/Nataly Hanin
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