There’s a reason why your mom or grandma gives you a bowl of chicken noodle soup the moment they hear you sneezing or see you wiping a runny nose.

A bowl of soup doesn’t just warm you up when the weather is cold, it also contains nutrients that can help you recover faster if you have a cold or the flu! Try making chicken zoodle soup if you want to eat something nourishing that’s also keto-friendly.

Here’s why chicken zoodle soup is good for you

Before you open a can of store-bought chicken noodle soup, remember that homemade soup is better for you because it’s made with delicious superfoods like chicken, carrots and onions.

These natural ingredients also offer many benefits, which include:

• Carrots, celery and onion – These veggies contain vitamin A, C and other antioxidants that can help boost your immune system and fight off viruses. These nutrients are also known to help your body recover from illness more quickly.
• Chicken – Chicken is full of protein that supports your immune system. Additionally, chicken is also rich in tryptophan that helps your body produce serotonin, a hormone that boosts your mood.
• Chicken broth – Homemade, hearty broth contains vitamins, minerals and a bit of dietary fat. Warm chicken broth can help improve upper respiratory tract symptoms by helping you stay hydrated.

Did you know that the steam from your chicken soup noodle soup is good for you? According to Sandy Allonen, a clinical dietitian at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, steam helps open up your airways.

Steam also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect that may help relax your muscles and soothe discomfort caused by cold symptoms.

A bit of salt and pepper also offers relief if you experience a loss of taste when you have a cold. A loss of taste is a common symptom of a cold, but using a flavor enhancer like salt and pepper can make you want to eat more, which helps you recover faster.

Tweaking grandma’s chicken noodle soup recipe

The recipe below makes a nourishing bowl of keto-friendly chicken zoodle soup, with noodles made of zucchini to cut your carb intake.

Use a vegetable peeler to make zucchini noodles or zoodles. Alternatively, you can shred zucchini with a grater or use a spiralizer.

Nourishing and keto-friendly chicken zoodle soup

Ingredients for 6 servings:

• 1 1/2 pounds (680 g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 10 1/2 ounces (294 g) of zucchini noodles
• 3 1/2 ounces (100 g) of chopped onion
• 1 1/2 ounces (42 g) of diced carrots
• 3 cups (720 ml) of homemade chicken broth
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning*
• 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper

Preparation:

1. Add the chicken, carrot, celery, onion, chicken broth, pepper, salt and poultry seasoning to the electric pressure cooker.
2. Close the lid and seal the vent. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Quick-release the steam, then press cancel.
3. Remove the chicken from the soup and use two forks to shred the meat. Return the chicken to the soup in the cooker.
4. Add the zucchini noodles to the hot soup, then let it sit for five to 10 minutes or until the noodles are soft. For softer noodles, cook the soup for an additional one to two minutes on low pressure.

Homemade Poultry Seasoning

Keep your chicken zoodle soup preservative-free by whipping up a batch of homemade poultry seasoning!

Ingredients for 3 tablespoons:

• 4 teaspoons of ground sage
• 3 teaspoons of ground thyme
• 2 teaspoons of ground rosemary
• 1 teaspoon of ground marjoram
• 1 teaspoon of white pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients in a tightly sealed jar.
2. Store homemade poultry seasoning for up to six months.

Use nutritious ingredients like lean chicken, carrots, celery, onions and homemade poultry seasoning to make a comforting bowl of soup if you have a cold.

Sources:

MindBodyGreen.com

Share.UPMC.com

MedicalXpress.com

SpendWithPennies.com