Chicken Broth for Detoxification and Immune Assistance

This Immune-Enhancing Detox Chicken Soup serves as an ideal solution for flu season, brimming with antioxidants that strengthen immunity and keep you cozy throughout winter!

As we welcome the new year, not only do we strive for healthier eating habits while trying to stay warm in this chilly weather, but we also find ourselves confronting coughs, colds, and the unwelcome FLU season. This Immune-Enhancing Detox Chicken Soup is the ideal solution for cold and flu season, packed with an abundance of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants that enhance your immunity and keep you cozy during winter months! With ingredients like garlic, chickpeas, turmeric, mushrooms, and dark leafy greens all simmering in a tasty hot broth, you’ll easily fend off those annoying colds while remaining healthy and focused on your goals!

Reasons to Love This

• Boosts immunity – not only is this wholesome soup beneficial for digestion and metabolism, but it also comes with added anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that aid in boosting immunity.
• Rich in protein and fiber – with the inclusion of chicken and chickpeas in this soup, you gain a remarkable _____ grams of protein and _____ grams of fiber per serving.
• One-pot dish – the entire soup is prepared in a single pot, making it a simple recipe you can assemble anytime, perfect for meal prepping.
• Comforting – a bowl of this soup is just right for chilly days, when you need to reset after the holidays or simply feel under the weather and require a lift!
• Ideal for meal prep – I prefer to whip up a large batch in advance to last most of the week or freeze in small portions, allowing me to grab some whenever I sense a cold approaching. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• chicken – I enjoy using shredded rotisserie chicken for its convenience and delicious flavor, but you can opt for chicken breasts or thighs. Leftover chicken (or turkey) works wonderfully too!
• vegetables – I combined carrots, celery, onion, and mushrooms, but feel free to incorporate bell peppers, butternut squash, or even diced sweet potatoes.
• garlic – we’ll be using a generous amount in this recipe (yes, 10 cloves!), but believe me, the flavor is absolutely fantastic. Garlic is an incredible antioxidant that bolsters immune function and overall well-being. Don’t worry, the flavor will definitely mellow while cooking, so it won’t be too overpowering!
• chicken stock – I utilized low-sodium chicken broth, but vegetable broth will work similarly, or any stock you have on hand. Adjust the salt amount used if you choose a non-low-sodium broth.
• chickpeas – also known as garbanzo beans, these add extra protein and a lovely texture to this soup.
• kale – this robust leafy green is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, and other healthful nutrients. You could also substitute fresh spinach for kale and sprinkle in some fresh parsley or other herbs.
• herbs and spices – a mix of turmeric, crushed red pepper, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves.

Steps to Prepare Detox Chicken Soup

The fantastic aspect of this soup is that everything combines in just 30 minutes through 3 simple steps! Here’s how to prepare it:

1. Sauté the vegetables. In a large soup pot or dutch oven, warm olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté onion, celery, and carrots, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
2. Allow the soup to simmer. Mix in chicken stock, bay leaves, turmeric, crushed red pepper, sea salt, pepper, and chickpeas, bringing everything to a boil. Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken, cover, and reduce heat to let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, add them at the same time as the chicken stock and allow to simmer for approximately 25 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink. Afterwards, remove the chicken breasts, shred them with two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
3. Incorporate kale and serve! Stir in the chopped kale and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. You might also want to sprinkle in some fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Customizing Your Chicken Soup

• Make it gluten-free – fortunately, this soup is naturally gluten-free!
• Add more vegetables – this soup is already quite healthy, but feel free to include more vegetables like zucchini, green beans, cauliflower, or broccoli florets.
• Spice it up – don’t hesitate to add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• Enhance protein – this soup is already abundant in protein due to the chicken and chickpeas, but you can also toss in some white beans or extra chickpeas.
• Reduce sodium – for a lower-sodium alternative, use unsalted chicken broth and lightly season the soup at the end.

Preparation and Storage

To Store: This detox chicken soup can be kept in your fridge in a sealed, airtight container for up to 5 days.  It’s easy to reheat this soup in the microwave or on the stovetop for a quick and tasty meal.  I enjoy making this soup for my weekly meal prep!

To Freeze: If you plan to freeze this soup, ensure it cools completely first, then store in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months.  When you’re ready to enjoy, let the soup thaw in the fridge.  Reheat it in a pot on the stove or warm individual servings in the microwave.

Additional Soup Recipes

I hope you all appreciate this Immune-Enhancing Detox Chicken Soup! If you love it as much as we do, leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!