This turmeric chicken soup includes carrots, parsnips, kale, bone broth, and more for an immunity-boosting powerhouse meal. It’s super quick and easy to make and is paleo, keto, AIP, and whole30.
Is there anything more gratifying than a big bowl of chicken soup?
Truthfully, I don’t discriminate when it comes to chicken soup genre – I’ll eat it all (so long as it’s noodless…read: gluten-free)! Pho, ramen, classic Chicken and Rice Soup, Thai Chicken Soup, White Chicken Chili …You name it, I’m ON it!
I find the whole process of preparing a big batch of chicken soup and enjoying it for days on end to be incredibly therapeutic. The scents, the familiarity, the belly-feel…it’s all so pleasant and uncomplicated.
If you’re like me and you enjoy a big bowl of chicken soup during those chilly fall and winter evenings, you’re going to go BONKERS over this recipe. The basic premise is this is a classic chicken soup with the added pizzaz of turmeric, ginger, parsley, and kale for a nice antioxidant punch, giving you even more nutrients and flavor.
In addition, I add coconut milk to balance out the sting of the turmeric and ginger so you’re left with a beautifully flavored, oh-so satisfying bowl of yummy superfood.
This is a powerfully healing recipe for both preventing and getting rid of colds. Since cold and flu season is upon us, you’ll want to keep this one in your arsenal to stay on top of your immunity game, and to whip up when someone in your house gets sick.
In case you’re new to turmeric, I’ll give you a brief run-down about why it’s so cool.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
- Natural anti-inflammatory (great for those with autoimmunity, arthritis, or those looking to heal from something…anything!)
- Packed with antioxidants, which helps eliminate free-radicals, thereby preventing disease, slowing down the aging process, and fighting cancer.
- Boosts levels of your brain hormone, BDNF, which can help reverse and prevent brain-related illnesses like Alzheimer’s and depression.
- May lower your risk of heart disease by improving the function of the endothelium (the lining of your blood vessels).
I will say, you can absolutely over-do it on turmeric, so be careful not to get too excited and add too much. I find 1 teaspoon is the perfect amount for this soup, where you get a hint of the flavor but it is far from overpowering. If you’re a turmeric-loving badass, you can adjust up if you’d like.
One of the best parts about chicken soup is it is incredibly easy to make, and doesn’t require very much hands-on time.
How to Make Turmeric Chicken Soup
Start by sauteeing the vegetables in a large stock pot (I use my French oven). Add the chicken and allow it to brown for a few minutes.
Add the spices and stir well. You’ll want to continue sauteeing everything until you can smell the turmeric.
Add the bone broth and coconut milk, cover, and cook at a simmer for at least 15 minutes, preferrably 1 hour.
Once the soup is nice and flavorful, add the chopped kale leaves and stir them in. Continue cooking until they are nice and wilted.
Serve it up with your choice of crackers, bread, grilled cheese…however you like to eat your soup!
Recipe Adaptations:
- To make this recipe Low-FODMAP, omit the onion and garlic – don’t worry, the soup will still be plenty flavorful!
- If you want to infuse this soup with even more vegetation, consider adding broccoli or cauliflower florets, or even bok choy.
- Add ⅓ cup rice or quinoa for some grain action.
- Add 1 yukon gold potato or a small sweet potato for some veggie starch action.
- I like using bone broth for maximum nutrients, but you can use regular chicken stock or even vegetable broth.
I hope you enjoy this colorful display of belly-warming comfort food!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 small yellow onion finely diced*
- 2 large carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 large parsnip peeled and chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced*
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts chopped
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp sea salt to taste
- 3 cups chicken bone broth
- 2/3 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 1 small head kale chopped
Instructions
-
Heat the avocado oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until transluscent, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the carrots, parsnips, celery, and garlic and continue sauteeing, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened but still al dente, about 3 to 5 minutes.
-
Add the chopped chicken and cook just long enough to brown the meat, about 2 to 3 minutes.
-
Add the remaining ingredients, stir well and cover. Cook at a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes (ideally one hour). Taste soup for flavor and add more sea salt if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*Omit onion and garlic to make Low-FODMAP
There is nothing like a big bowl of chicken soup, and I love all of the flavors you’ve packed into this cozy bowl! With cold and flu season ramping up I need all of the immunity boosting I can get. I’m on this!
I completely agree! Chicken soup is everything! So glad you like the recipe! 😀
Looks delicious! If you were to make this in an instant pot, how would you modify the recipe?
Hi Kelly! I would follow the same instructions (but using the saute function in the Instant Pot), then secure the lid and Pressure Cook for 20 minutes. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you!
Made this wonderful soup for dinner last night … it was SO delicious!! Immune-boosting indeed – just perfect!! Thank you for the recipe!
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made this soup for lunch today and it was awesome. I will be making this again.
Thanks so much, Gabriel! I’m thrilled to hear it! xo
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Look so yummy and healthy. Hope my mom and 6 years old baby girl will love this.
Thanks for the amazing recipe.
I hope they enjoy it too! Let me know how it goes! xo
My family does not enjoy coconut milk, any recommended substitute? Milk, cream, Greek yogurt?
Hi Kelly,
I would recommend half & half as a replacement 😀 Hope you enjoy!
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Nutritional content ?
Hi Eileen,
I added it to the recipe card 😀
Hi Julia – I love your recipes and your food choices. I am wondering if you ever cook with Jack Fruit? We really like it but I would love to have recipes from you using jack fruit.
Hi Martie! I do use jack fruit from time to time! Here are a couple recipes: https://www.theroastedroot.net/sweet-potato-bbq-jackfruit-sliders/ and https://www.theroastedroot.net/pulled-jackfruit-sandwiches/ . I’ll think about posting more soon! xoxo
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I just made this and it is amazing! No notes or changes to it except that I should have made more.
I offered some to my roommate and after taking his bowl back to his office he very loudly goes “Oh my god, this is amazing. I wish a had a tall thermos to take this with me this weekend.”
YAAAAS! I’m so thrilled to hear it! Hugs and kisses to you and your roommate. Thanks for the sweet note, m’dear! xo
This soup was scrumptios! I browned the chicken first, removed it and then did the veggies. I also added 2 small potatoes and 1/3 cup of quinoa. I used fresh grated tumeric and ginger (because I had them on hand). Thank you so much for sharing this. It will be a part of my fall/winter menu often this year and many to come!
Oooh all of those additions sound amazing!! So happy you like it! Thank you for sharing! xo
I suddenly woke up with rheumatoid arthritis one day about a couple months ago. I just started my AIP diet 4 days ago and had been starving because the only thing in my house that I could eat was sweet potatoes. I went out to buy all these ingredients today and I already have so much energy after eating one bowl. This is the best soup I’ve ever tasted in my life! Thank you so much
Hi Michelle! I’m so sorry to hear about your RA! Thank you for the sweet note…I’m thrilled to hear the soup was helpful!! xo
Lovely soup. I used shredded chicken and served over rice. I think I’d add a little more stock next time. It’s pretty thick when reheated but that could also just be how I made it. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Came across this by accident. Likes the sound of it as my immune system needs a boost. We had it for dinner and it tasted so yummy! Will be making this again and again!
I’m so glad you like it, Laura! It’s a staple in my home 😀 xo
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Made this for Kwanzaa. I doubled the recipe and served another soup. Not a drop of this left! We four adults got a bowl full, the six teens finished the pot and informed me I didn’t make enough.
P.S. I used my instant pot set at 10 minutes and NR. Perfection
I’m so happy you all enjoyed it!! Thanks for the sweet note, Alisa! xo
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