Homemade Chicken Soup

Remember that series of books called Chicken Soup for the Soul? The named worked because it implied chicken soup is sooo good for your body and that the stories were going to do the same thing for your soul. But, funny enough, chicken soup itself is also so good for the soul. It warms you up from the inside out and makes you feel safe, happy, and cozy. When you’re sick, each spoonful tastes like soothing relief and healing. In other words, if you’re making this chicken soup on a freezing cold winter day, can you bring us a bowl?

Ingredients

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3-4 garlic cloves, diced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium sized onion
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 cups kale, roughly chopped
10 grape tomatoes, halved
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
to taste sea salt
to taste freshly ground black pepper
optional fresh ginger

Directions

1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high and cook chicken through about 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside for later.
2. Add garlic, celery and onion to soup pot and cook until tender, about 7-8 minutes.
3. Pour in apple cider vinegar and then add sweet potatoes, kale, tomatoes, chicken broth, and water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Tear chicken with hands for pulled effect. Stir chicken into soup pot to heat for a few minutes.
5. Serve into bowls and (optional: grate fresh ginger on top) then enjoy.

WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE Classic chicken soup is like an immune system-strengthener in a bowl, and we’ve added kale and sweet potatoes for even more antioxidant power. The many benefits of ingredients in this recipe? It’s bad for your breath, but garlic is linked to cancer prevention. Everyone’s favorite dark leafy green (kale!) is an excellent source of fiber, folate, and micronutrients like carotenoids. And sweet potatoes have more of eye-healthy beta-carotene than any other fruit or vegetable.