Turmeric Chicken Soup (Printable View)

Golden, fragrant soup with turmeric and warming spices for a nourishing meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
07 - 1 small zucchini, diced
08 - 3.5 oz baby spinach (about 2 cups, packed)

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1½ teaspoons ground turmeric
10 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
11 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
13 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste

→ Liquids

14 - 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - Juice of ½ lemon

→ Herbs

17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the diced chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes until the pieces turn opaque.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
05 - Add zucchini and simmer for another 5 minutes.
06 - Stir in spinach and cook for 2 more minutes until wilted. Squeeze in lemon juice and season with salt and chili flakes if using.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The turmeric works magic not just for flavor but leaves you feeling restored from the inside out, like a warm hug for your immune system.
  • You can throw this together even when youre not feeling your best, and the leftovers actually taste even better the next day as the spices continue to develop.
02 -
  • If your turmeric has been sitting in your spice cabinet for more than six months, please just buy a fresh jar, as the flavor and potency diminish significantly over time.
  • Adding black pepper isnt just for taste, it actually enhances your bodys absorption of the beneficial compounds in turmeric by up to 2000%, a lesson I learned from a nutritionist friend.
03 -
  • If you dont mind an extra step, quickly sear the chicken pieces in the pot before removing them and proceeding with the vegetables, then add the chicken back later, which creates more depth of flavor in both the meat and broth.
  • To prevent turmeric stains on your wooden spoons and plastic storage containers, give them a quick spray with cooking oil before use, creating a barrier between the spice and the surface.
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