I’ve been a soup lover my entire life. Tony would tell you that it’s true because he’s the one stuck eating my delicious soup recipes that I bust out weekly.
This chicken soup recipe came to me after I came down with the WORST cold ever. I was on the verge of getting better, then all of a sudden I took a turn for the worst and spent an entire weekend sneezing, coughing and barely able to breathe.
I finally put the recipe on the blog back in 2018 — 6 years and over 1,000 5-star reviews later, it’s safe to say this chicken soup is one of the most popular recipes on Ambitious Kitchen!
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Cold-fighting chicken soup
I know MANY of you have been struggling with cold and flu season this year, so I thought why not make a cold-fighting chicken soup recipe that you can come back to year after year.
Whenever I’m sick I love a good, soul soothing soup. In fact, did you know that soup can actually help to reduce the length of your cold? Especially this one, which is loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and lots of garlic. Amazing news, because I bet this will be one of your favorite soups of all time.
Normally, I love making my healing vegetarian curry whenever I’m sick, but ever since I’ve made this chicken soup recipe I’ve been OBSESSED with how delicious, flavorful and hearty it is. THIS AIN’T NO CAMPBELL’S PEOPLE. IT’S LIKE PROGRESSO ON CRACK. ALSO BETTER THAN PANERA.
And yes, caps were necessary there — I really needed to get my point across about how damn good this chicken soup is.
Ingredients in the best chicken soup recipe
The best part isn’t just how delicious this chicken soup is, but also how wonderful the anti-inflammatory, cold-fighting ingredients are.
- Ginger: great for digestion and a powerful anti-inflammatory agent to use in recipes.
- Garlic: truly the best when you’re sick. Garlic is full of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why we use 6 cloves of garlic in this soup. That’s right, you’re going to sick this cold’s ass.
- Turmeric: super trendy and very good for you. Best when consumed with a black pepper to help for optimal absorption. This recipe calls for fresh turmeric (if you can find it).
- Chicken: we’re packin’ this recipe with protein too — and guess what? The chicken actually cooks in the soup broth, leaving it tender and making it easy for you to cook!
- Fresh herbs: rosemary & thyme add additional flavor in this recipe.
- Pearl couscous: besides the veggies, the couscous is really the star because it helps to thicken the broth and keep the soup hearty. You’ll want to use pearl couscous in the recipe. It just provides the perfect texture for the soup. This is what pearl couscous looks like. I also know that they sell it at most Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
Optional ingredient swaps
Because the ingredients in this chicken soup are fairly simple, there are plenty of easy ways you can customize it:
- Make it gluten-free: swap the pearl couscous for rice, quinoa, or your favorite gluten-free pasta shape.
- Try a vegetarian version: use vegetable broth and stir in a can of chickpeas in place of the chicken.
Easy homemade chicken soup in 5 steps
- Cook the veggies. Warm oil in a large pot, then cook down the veggies until the onions soften.
- Combine the soup. Stir in the ginger & turmeric for 30 seconds, then stir in the rest of the soup ingredients.
- Add the couscous. Bring the soup to a boil, stir in the couscous, then simmer uncovered until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Shred the chicken. Remove the cooked chicken with a slotted spoon and shred it with 2 forks, then add it back to the pot.
- Finish & serve. Stir in the frozen peas, taste and adjust any seasonings, and enjoy!
How to store & freeze this soup
- To store: store this chicken soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Feel free to reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop! You may find that the couscous thickens the soup up as it cools, so feel free to add a bit more broth if you’d like.
- To freeze: let the soup completely cool and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container (or multiple containers for meal prep purposes). I recommend freezing the soup without the couscous so that it doesn’t get too thick and mushy when it thaws. Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, first let the soup thaw in the refrigerator, then heat the soup in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can then cook couscous separately and add it to the soup once you’ve reheated it.
Watch me make the best chicken soup recipe
More healthy soup recipes to try
- Healing Ginger Coconut Chicken Brown Rice Soup
- Butternut Squash Green Chile Chicken Soup
- Classic French Onion Soup
- Healing Thai-Inspired Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
- Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Get all of my soup recipes here!
If you make this chicken soup recipe, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram or leave a comment and rate the recipe below! Thank you — I appreciate it. xo.
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
The Best Chicken Soup You'll Ever Eat
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated turmeric (or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric)*
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme, stems removed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- ⅔ cup frozen peas (optional, but recommended)
Instructions
- Place a large dutch oven or pot over medium high heat and add in oil. Once oil is hot, add in garlic, onion, carrots and celery; cook for a few minutes until onion becomes translucent.
- Next add in grated ginger and grated turmeric. Saute for 30 seconds to let the spices cook a bit, then add in chicken broth, chicken breast, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Bring soup to a boil, then stir in couscous. You’ll want the chicken to be covered by the broth so make sure you stir them down to the bottom.
- Reduce heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
- Once chicken is cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cutting board to shred with two forks. Add chicken back to pot then stir in frozen peas. If you find that you don't have enough broth, feel free to add in another cup. Everyone likes their soup differently. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Enjoy.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on February 19th, 2018 republished on January 5th, 2020, and republished on December 11th, 2024.
This soup is absolutely delicious as written, the flavors are devine. I did use chicken bone broth to add more protein to the mix. Couscous is a must! This is definitely the Best Chicken Soup You’ll Ever Eat! Thanks so much Monique
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
Have made this recipe hundreds of times and it’s always a favourite with the whole family!
So happy to hear that!
They call it the best chicken soup you’ll have ans honestly it is.
So good! Glad you love it 🙂
This is a delicious recipe!! Easy, hearty and the couscous makes a nice thick broth. Thank you!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
This was such an easy and delicious soup! Will be making it again soon 🙂
I’m so glad you loved it!
Made this soup dozen of times! Did not change anything! Perfect and delicious!
So happy to hear that!
Very easy and tasty. Ended up adding some egg noodles to make sure it was hearty enough, turned out I didn’t need them. Added additional 4 cups of broth, total 10 cups. Used two good size chicken breast. Feed 5 family members. Great recipe, thank you.
Egg noodles sound delicious in here regardless! Glad everyone enjoyed!
Hi I have a question before I make this does the Couscous sook up all the liquid the next day as I have made chicken soup before with rice and pasta and its not a soup the next day.
Thanks
Hi! The couscous does soak up the liquid, but reheating and/or adding a little more broth helps. Otherwise, feel free to cook the couscous separately to avoid this altogether 🙂
Damn, I’ve tried so many chicken soup recipes and this one is by far the very best!!!
So glad you loved it!
I found this recipe during Covid when everybody was sick. I made it and shared it several times then and Still. Every once in a while, somebody will have lost the recipe and asked me to re-share it again. I cannot say enough about the ingredients. The taste andthe overall consistency of this soup, it is amazing. Thank you for sharing it with the world. To anybody hesitating to make this don’t, I promise you will be as happy as your taste buds
Such a wonderful, go-to soup! Glad you’ve loved it for so many years!
Amazing, didn’t change anything and wouldn’t. Will definitely be a go to this Winter.
So glad you enjoyed!
Truly the best, most comforting chicken soup I’ve ever had! It’s always a winner when I cook for friends and family. This was the first recipe of yours I’ve tried and have trusted all your other recipes ever since. Everything I have made from your blog has been nothing short of tasty, healthy and easy! Huge fan right here, thank you!!!
So happy to hear that! I hope you keep finding new recipes that you love 🙂
Fabulous! I ate 2 bowls. Modified recipe with half teaspoon of turmeric and half teaspoon of ginger. Added ditalini instead of couscous. Super delicious.
Perfect! This sounds great with ditalini 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
Only chicken soup recipe you need!
Agreed!!
I have made this extremely good several times and tonight i proposed to make it for my husband who is having a cold. All the perfect spices for a cold and also just to have a very nice soup. We love it!
The perfect meal for fighting a cold!
My favorite chicken soup recipe of all time! So flavorful and always hits the spot!
So happy you love it!
Literally the best chicken soup when you’re feeling under the weather (or not)! My husband and I have made this many, many times, as it never disappoints. No need to make any adjustments – Monique’s recipe is absolutely perfect as is! Pair it with one of her bread recipes for an amazing meal!
Absolutely! We make this ALL the time. Bread pairing sounds like the best meal!
This is seriously the best soup. I make it all the for my family and also for others. Add some crusty bread and a salad and it’s a great meal to bring to a friend in need. Love 💛
Perfect cozy meal 🙂
Favourite chicken soup recipe! So comforting and delicious
So glad you love it!
Adding pearl couscous to chicken noodle soup is GENIUS- it’s SO much easier to spoon up the little pasta pearls than actual noodles! My family likes traditional chicken noodle soup, so I don’t add the turmeric or ginger, but it’s still delicious and absolutely worth making!
YES so good! Glad they enjoyed!
So good, even my picky kids will eat this. I do 4 cups of bone broth and 2-3 cups of regular broth. I make it anytime someone is sick- it’s so comforting.
Amazing! This is my go-to cozy meal, too 🙂
The whole family loved this recipe! Thanks!
This soup is all you’ll ever need! It’s classic but with a little pizzazz (why is the pearl couscous so much more fun than regular pasta?), and the ginger and turmeric really makes it so nourishing and delicious. I make this for friends when they are sick. 1000/10!
Absolutely!!
This is my family’s go to soup in the winter time. It’s so cozy and warming and absolutely delicious! If it’s snowing? This is the soup. Raining. This soup. Feeling sick? This soup. Feeling sad? This is your soup. I am so passionate everyone needs to make this soup!
YES it’s such a staple in our home, too! So glad you love it!
Yum yum yum. My go to soup if we’re sick or I just want something clean and warm. So good!
Absolutely! Perfect for winter.
I did not love this recipe. The large amount of Israeli couscous soaked up all of the chicken stock making this more of a wet casserole than a soup. I would cook the couscous separately and then mix in towards the end.
The salt and pepper was also extremely light and thyme was the predominant flavor somehow.
Sorry to hear that! The soup does thicken over time, but you’re welcome to cook them separately or add a bit more broth when re-heating. Feel free to add more salt to your liking or use regular chicken broth (instead of low sodium) to bring that flavor out more!
Lots of chopping increased by my doubling the recipe, and it was well worth it. Delicious layering of flavors. Pretty in the bowl too!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed!
Cook this soup 3x times during winter and for when family members and friends have cold and flu.
I had this soup when I felt abit under the weather and it put my health back on track. Perfect spices for colds & flu’s.
It’s the perfect recipe for sick season! Glad it’s a favorite 🙂
Adjust proportions here and there to personal preferences, but overall an excellent recipe.
I had no peas, but added some chopped parsnips which worked well. Also stirred in some wholegrain mustard at the end for a little extra kick I enjoy.
I love the sound of grainy mustard, that sounds delicious!
This is my go to chicken soup and my son asks for this when he’s a bit under the weather or needing some love. Thank you 🙏
That makes me so happy to hear! I love when a recipe becomes a family favorite!
Obsessed! Can it be frozen?
Absolutely!
My niece’s ten year old friend said “this is like chicken soup but so much better!” My first time trying and a winner! Thank you!!
So happy to hear that!
This is our favorite soup! I’ve made it twice on the stove. Now I want to use my crockpot. Would you recommend high 4-6 hours?
So happy to hear that! 3-4 hours on high should be enough — I’d recommend adding cooked couscous once the chicken and veggies are all cooked so that it doesn’t get mushy.
Excellent soup. I didn’t use the ginger or turmeric or the peas and I made my own chicken stock/broth. This is a keeper recipe
Glad you enjoyed!
My husband has me make this every week. It’s soooo good!
The best!!
Very delicious soup – I’ve made it a few times with small omissions (-ginger or – couscous) and it’s delicious and balanced and nourishing every time. Thanks!
Recipe title checks out—this really is the best chicken soup ever. Do not sleep on the fresh grated turmeric, it’s a total show stopper and tastes way better than powdered. My personal additions were a teaspoon of freshly chopped sage (added with the other herbs) and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice directly into my bowl. Will be making this again and again.
So happy you loved it!
after scrolling and scrolling i found the ingredients. It did not say anything about a liquid! Way too many words, I don’t care if gramma guarded this receipe or it is good for fighting aliens. i want to know how much of what to put in where for how long. Full friggin stop.
Hi! Feel free to click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page — you’ll get right to the recipe.
This soup is absolutely fantastic. The flavors are wonderful.
Glad you loved it!
I think I’ve already reviewed this soup but I’m coming back to give 5 more stars because IT’S JUST THE BEST!! I make this several times every winter and it’s truly the most comforting and not-boring chicken soup ever. My husband, who usually refuses soup, is obsessed. The ginger, turmeric, and herbs really make the difference! I use orzo instead of couscous with no issue (just keep extra broth on hand for leftovers because the orzo absorbs it). Thank you Monique!!
So good!! I’m glad it’s a favorite in your house 🙂