Difficulty
Average Recipe
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Servings
12

When cold and flu season arrives, I turn to this super immune-boosting chicken soup. It’s nourishing, comforting, and filled with ingredients that actively support your body’s defenses. Garlic, onions, and ginger provide phytochemicals with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Astragalus root, a time-honored immune tonic and gentle adaptogen, helps build resilience, while shiitake mushrooms supply beta-glucans that naturally modulate immune function. The rich chicken broth offers easily absorbed minerals and amino acids to restore and replenish. Feel free to add whatever vegetables you have on hand—diced yams or winter squash add sweetness and depth, while finely chopped hot peppers bring a little heat. You can also swap the napa cabbage for green or savoy cabbage with equally delicious results.

Read more about this recipe on the blog.

Super Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup

Ingredients

Broth

1 whole chicken (4 to 5 pounds)
16 cups water
1 medium onions chopped
3 celery stalks chopped
2 carrots chopped
5 shiitake mushrooms chopped
1 heads garlic cut in half cross-wise
3 inches fresh ginger chopped
2 tablespoons astragalus root
1 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
1 lemongrass stalks chopped (optional)
1 tablespoons sea salt

Soup

1 medium onions chopped
3 carrots sliced
4 celery stalks chopped
2 cups thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms
1 large red bell peppers
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
4 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage
1 cups chopped cilantro