Is there anything better for fighting a cold than a bowl of warm chicken soup? While mom’s go-to treatment won’t actually cure your cold, it can sure comfort you. But this classic combination is not just about nostalgia; when made correctly, chicken soup has the perfect blend of fluids, nutrients and electrolytes to speed recovery and fight cold symptoms in a warm, easy-to-eat package.
But don’t worry if soup isn’t your style – there are plenty of other cold-friendly foods that can help support your immune system, keep you hydrated, and combat your cold. As we approach the summer cold season, keep your pantry stocked with some of our favorite foods for a fast, yummy recovery.
Creamy ChickenNoodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken
This rich and creamy take on the classic cold fighter features juicy rotisserie chicken, lots of chopped vegetables, and wide whole-wheat egg noodles for a delicious pot-pie feel. Plus, its streamlined prep cuts cooking time to only 30 minutes, so you can start slurping your way to relief in no time.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 ounces uncooked whole-wheat egg noodles
- 3 cups coarsely chopped rotisserie chicken breast
- 1 cup frozen green peas
Directions
- In a large Dutch oven, melt butter with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, celery and salt. Cook, stirring often, about 6 to 8 minutes or until vegetables are slightly softened.
- Add flour to Dutch oven and stir to coat.
- Stir in broth and milk. Let mixture come to a boil.
- Add uncooked noodles to boiling mixture. Cover and cook about 8 minutes or until noodles are al dente.
- Stir in chicken and peas and cook until pasta reaches desired texture and chicken and peas are warmed through. Serve immediately.
Other Cold-Fighting Foods
Don’t wait until you come down with a summer cold to stock up on sick-friendly foods! Fill your pantry with these favorite (and science-approved) cold fighters to stay ready for summer cold season and avoid spreading your germs when sickness strikes:
- Chicken Broth to make soups or sip as-is for fast and nutrient-dense hydration.
- Hot teas like ginger or chamomile to soothe congestion and help with sleep.
- Liquid foods like jello or popsicles to keep your fluids balanced when eating is out of the question.
- Sports drinks like Gatorade or Pedialyte for maintaining electrolytes.
- Orange Juice for a big boost of Vitamin C.
- Easily digestible foods like bananas, rice, apples, toasts, and saltine crackers.
- Honey for soothing persistent coughs.
- Spicy foods like chili peppers to help loosen mucus and clear your nasal passages.
Lori Abernathy2022-07-05T21:30:01+00:00July 5, 2022|Health News|
