Fall is settling in, school is back in session and seasonal bugs are starting to make the rounds. That means one familiar comfort food is about to return to kitchens everywhere: chicken noodle soup. A warm bowl can do more than make you feel cozy.
Chicken, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, herbs, and broth provide protein, vitamins, minerals and fluids that help support hydration and immune function, while the steam and warmth may also help ease a stuffy nose, sore throat and thick mucus when you are under the weather.
The quality of the soup matters, though. Many canned varieties are highly processed and can contain additives you would never put into a homemade pot. A better option is to make your own using pasture-raised chicken, homemade broth and fresh vegetables and herbs. Homemade chicken broth also adds valuable amino acids and minerals while giving you complete control over what goes into your bowl.
As the weather cools, this is one comfort food worth bringing back into rotation. Make a large batch with quality ingredients, keep some on hand for busy school nights and freeze extra portions for the first sign of a cold. A homemade pot of chicken soup can support hydration, provide nourishing protein and deliver the kind of warmth that feels especially welcome this time of year — without the unnecessary additives found in many canned versions.
SOURCE:
Health, August 26, 2026