Healing Paleo Chicken Soup Recipe
Feeling a bit crummy? Chances are, you find yourself feeling under the weather much less often now that you're eating a Paleo diet. However, on those rare occasions when illness strikes, nothing soothes like a warming bowl of homemade chicken soup. It’s comfort in a bowl — deeply nourishing, hydrating, and packed with minerals, vitamins, and gelatin, especially when made with a whole chicken. Even if you’re feeling fine, there’s something incredibly grounding about enjoying a bowl of this healing soup.
This Healing Paleo Chicken Soup is more than just a traditional cold remedy. It’s a nutrient-dense, gut-friendly recipe that delivers warmth and wellness in every spoonful. It’s free from grains, dairy, and processed ingredients, making it ideal for anyone following a Paleo lifestyle — or simply seeking a wholesome, comforting meal.
Recipe: Get Well Soon Chicken Soup
Equipment
- Large stock pot
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 onions roughly chopped
- 1 bulb fennel roughly chopped
- 6 carrots peeled and roughly chopped
- 6 cloves garlic peeled
- 4 bay leaves
- Few sprigs fresh thyme
- Few sprigs fresh rosemary
- A large handful fresh parsley
- Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- First, wash your chicken before putting it into your biggest stock pot. Fill the pot with cold water, just enough to cover the bird, before adding the red wine vinegar. Bring to the boil, then leave to simmer for 45 minutes. Skim the froth from the top, before removing the chicken.
- When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred all the meat from the bird using a fork. It may not be completely cooked through yet – this is perfectly normal.
- Next, return the chicken carcass to the stock pot, and add the onions, fennel, carrots, garlic, and herbs (except the parsley). Return to the heat, cover, and simmer for another couple of hours.
- Fifteen minutes before serving, return the shredded chicken back to the soup. When fully cooked through, serve in soup bowls garnished with the fresh parsley.
Why Chicken Soup is Considered Healing
Across many cultures, chicken soup is considered a healing elixir. But it’s not just an old wives’ tale. Bone broth, created by simmering a whole bird, is rich in amino acids, collagen, and minerals that support the immune system, soothe the digestive tract, and aid joint health. The steaming liquid also helps open nasal passages and provide hydration — both essential when you're feeling run down.
What makes this Paleo version extra special is the absence of inflammatory ingredients like noodles, dairy, or grains. Instead, you get pure nourishment from nature — a gentle, warm way to restore balance and strength.
The Ingredients That Make It Special
This soup starts with a whole chicken, which slowly releases its nutrients into the broth during the cooking process. Then come the aromatics: onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and fresh herbs like parsley and thyme. Each ingredient serves a purpose:
- Garlic: Known for its antimicrobial properties and immune support.
- Carrots & Celery: Add sweetness, texture, and important vitamins.
- Parsley: A natural detoxifier rich in Vitamin C and K.
- Thyme: Contains compounds that support respiratory health.
Optionally, you can add ginger or turmeric for extra anti-inflammatory benefits. If you're battling a cold, these spices can offer additional support.
Cooking Method and Tips
Making this soup is simple, but the quality lies in the time you allow the ingredients to simmer. For best results:
- Start by browning the chicken or searing it lightly if you prefer added depth of flavour.
- Submerge the chicken in filtered water and add your vegetables and herbs.
- Simmer gently for several hours. A slow cooker or Instant Pot can also be used for convenience.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken, shred the meat, and return it to the broth. Skim off excess fat if desired.
The result is a rich broth with tender meat and soft vegetables that practically melt in your mouth. It’s the kind of dish that invites you to curl up on the couch and savour every spoonful.
Make-Ahead and Freezing
This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big pot and store individual portions in airtight containers or freezer bags. It freezes beautifully and reheats well, which makes it perfect for those days when you don’t feel like cooking but still want to eat well.
To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge or gently warm on the stove until hot. For best results, avoid microwaving — gentle stovetop heating helps retain the soup’s delicate texture and flavour.
Serving Suggestions
This Healing Paleo Chicken Soup is satisfying on its own, but you can add extra garnishes to suit your taste or enhance the nutritional profile:
- A squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, vitamin C boost
- Freshly chopped herbs like dill or coriander
- A drizzle of olive oil or a spoonful of ghee for healthy fats
- Spiralised zucchini or shredded cabbage for extra bulk
Serve it with a side of avocado or a few olives for a healthy dose of fats, or with roasted root vegetables for a heartier meal. You can also stir in some cooked cauliflower rice if you’re after a more filling version that still keeps it Paleo-friendly.
Why This Soup Belongs in Your Paleo Toolkit
The Healing Paleo Chicken Soup aligns perfectly with the core values of a Paleo lifestyle. It’s all about going back to basics — using real, whole foods that support your body’s natural healing processes. Whether you’re unwell, recovering, or simply craving something nurturing, this soup delivers both comfort and sustenance without compromise.
And because it’s so adaptable, you can easily modify the recipe with whatever vegetables or herbs you have on hand. It’s a brilliant way to use up odds and ends in the fridge while creating a deeply satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug from the inside out.
Tell Us How You Enjoy It
We’d love to hear how this Healing Paleo Chicken Soup turns out for you. Did you add turmeric or ginger? Did you make a big batch for freezing? Do you use it as part of your weekly meal prep? Share your variations, tips, and feedback in the comments section below. Your experience helps us all build a stronger, more supportive Paleo community.
And if you're looking for more nourishing, healing recipes, explore the rest of our blog. There’s a whole world of flavour waiting — and it’s all designed to keep you healthy, happy, and aligned with your goals.
Stay well, and happy cooking!
