Cold Cure Soup Recipe (2024)

By Nigella Lawson

Cold Cure Soup Recipe (1)

Total Time
2 hours 15 minutes
Rating
5(1,449)
Notes
Read community notes

This soup started life as quite a different thing. I'd made a traditional Persian chicken, cinnamon and Seville-orange stew and realized that it was the scented broth I loved the most. So I cut to the chase. A supermarket packet of chicken wings, a stick of cinnamon, a carrot, an onion, a knob of ginger and the juice and zest of an orange left to simmer on the stove make a restorative broth that delights, soothes and helps fight off winter blues. I like it sprinkled with chopped cilantro and chilies, but you could make more of a meal of it by adding shredded chicken and noodles.

(This recipe originally called for a Seville orange, but we've modified it so it can be made with a combination of orange and lime juice. If you have access to Seville oranges, all the better!)

Featured in: AT MY TABLE; A Rip of Orange in Deepest Winter

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings (about 6 cups)

  • 3pounds chicken wings
  • 1carrot, peeled and halved
  • 1onion, peeled and halved
  • 1cinnamon stick
  • 13-inch knob of ginger, peeled
  • 1tablespoon Maldon salt or 1½ teaspoons table salt
  • ¼cup fresh citrus juice (2 parts orange juice to 1 part lime juice), plus zest in strips
  • Chopped cilantro, for garnish
  • 1small red chili pepper, seeded and cut into fine rings, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

690 calories; 44 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 18 grams monounsaturated fat; 9 grams polyunsaturated fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 61 grams protein; 1001 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Cold Cure Soup Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    In a large stockpot, combine chicken, carrot, onion, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Add 3 quarts water, orange zest and juice.

  2. Place over high heat, and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, until liquid has reduced to about half and chicken flavor is strong, 1½ to 2 hours.

  3. Step

    3

    Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, and discard solids. Allow broth to cool, then refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, remove layer of solidified fat from surface, and wipe surface of congealed soup with a paper towel to remove traces of grease. Soup may be covered and refrigerated for up to three days.

  4. Step

    4

    To serve, warm soup, ladle into mugs or bowls, and garnish.

Ratings

5

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1,449

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Len Fishler

When I make whole roasted chicken, I roast two at a time. I always stuff the cavity with a couple of whole oranges, cut into pieces, plus rosemary sprigs. I use a good spice rub (like Arthur Bryants Poultry) to coat the skin. After cooking, I save the carcasses, & oranges, and toss it all in a stockpot, cover with water, and simmer for at least 20 hours. Strain and you have a wonderful broth. Add carrots, celery, parsnips, and pearl barley and simmer another 4 hours for a nice rich soup.

Ricky

This has helped me recover many times! The only thing I do differently is in addition to the cilantro and chile pepper garnish, I add about half a teaspoon of fish sauce to the mug when I drink it. Trust me...

Julie

How about a meatless version?

Lee Norris

It's wasteful to throw out the "solids." When the meat from the chicken wings feels done, take the wings out, tear out the meat, and return the bones to increase the strength of the broth. Then when it's done, refrigerated and the fat taken off, add the meat back in.

Lizy

I've got a terrible cold this week and so my husband went out and bought all the ingredients and made this for me yesterday. I brought a Thermos of it to work with me -- what a wonderful soothing soup to sip through the morning.

Patty

Chicken wings were a bit pricey today, and I had a hard time thinking I'd just toss them out as wll, so I scored a package of chicken backs for $1.80. They are releasing a lovely broth into my pot at this very moment and I won't feel bad about throwing them out when I'm done.

Lauren

I made this in my instant pot and its my new favorite recipe! I cooked it at high pressure for 60 minutes with natural release. Also took the recommendation on using chicken backs -- much less expensive and just as yummy. I now have a few batches frozen and at the ready for a cold winter day.

Joanne

It is a wonderful, flavorful broth. I gave it to my husband who has a bad cold, serving it with noodles, some shredded chicken, sliced jalapeño, sliced green onions, cilantro, and lots more lime. I would double the recipe the next time.

Jeanne

The collagen from the chicken bones and connective tissues dissolves into the liquid when it's simmered for a long time, and causes the broth to gel at fridge temps. It will liquify again when reheated. A gelled broth is a rich, tasty, and nourishing broth!

Raz

I jacked this up a little bit by adding one star anise, some cloves + peppercorns, a couple bay leaf along with cinnamon/salt. Deepened the flavor a bit. This broth is just divine and also works as a great base for Pho-type soups!

Kelly

Also, do you have the recipe for the stew mentioned above?

Persian chicken, cinnamon and Seville-orange stew

Brad

I'm totally doing this as a starter for a meal this week. It's cold and wet in LA, and I've got people from out of town. This is going to be an elegant touch, I think.

Even better, I have a tree full of Seville oranges! They're so much nicer in this kind of thing than the sweet oranges. The zest has a really clean, intense fragrance.

dimmerswitch

As chicken wings have increased in popularity for eating them so has the price to buy them gone up by leaps. Chicken backs are equally good here for making the soup and a mere fraction of the price. They are my 'go to' for chicken stock of any kind, including this one for this very delicious soup.

Kaitlin Y.

Not sure if this counts as a recipe as much as a magic potion. It’s delicious, but also chased my head cold right out of town. I charred the onion and ginger before adding them to the pot and threw in a couple whole star anise, which made the whole pot taste little like noodleless pho– a win, in my opinion.

Ray

Would not recommend for wolves. They don't do well with cilantro.

dpk

I am a decades-long fan of Nigella’s concoctions and presentations and this remains my favorite. I have made at least three tubs of this every winter since the recipe was published and sipping a glass I from the latest batch. I do experiment, but then always begin each winter following the recipe without embellishment so that I won’t stray too far from the brilliance of the source. I am fortunate enough to be able to get the seville oranges but the workaround published hits the mark also.

Rachel

Has anyone ever eaten this day of without refrigerating overnight? I am sick and need this in my body STAT.

Sheryl H

Makes a lovely brot- the house smelled like pho. I doubled and used 2 pkgs of chicken thighs with bone, some cloves, and thick peels not just zest. I took the chicken out when cooked put the meat into the fridge to add after the fat was skimmed, and put the bones back into the broth. I then had 5 or 6 soup containers with broth and chicken (and one with the sliced cooked soup carrots). I have enjoyed using it differently. Great with spinach and orzo with a squeeze of lemon. Skipped jalapeno

Megan B

I loved the taste of this soup, and it has made really helped comfort my boyfriend in the midst of a nasty cold. It’s almost worth getting sick for! One tip: make a little extra “citrus juice” to spike the soup with after you’re finished cooking. I enjoy the extra brightness (and vitamin C).

C

Loved this, although wish we had chicken backs at our market so I could’ve avoided spending $12 on wings. The broth itself is light and lovely, we kept some of it plain for sipping. To the rest, we added back the chicken meat as well as some kale and potatoes. The hot pepper (we had to use Jalapeno) and cilantro on top really make it!

Gigi

Really enjoyed the cinnamon stick in this!

Sandra

I wish this recipe had specified how much zest to use. I used a vegetable peeler to get thin strips of zest, and ended up zesting all of my orange and half of my lime, but that ended up being way too much. Sadly, my broth ended up bitter and almost undrinkable. For those who enjoyed this recipe, how many strips of zest did you use?

Rhoda

Very soothing for a sore throat. Loved the unique blend of ginger and cinnamon.

Tom

I used store bought organic chicken stock instead of water for a double strength soup. I used a whole orange and a half a lime. I used 2 star anise and added the meat from the wings after I defatted the soup. Delicious and you could make soup dumplings out of it.

dimmerswitch

Great soup broth! We use chicken backs from a local chicken farmer who pasture raises the birds that are leftover from their butchering some of the whole chickens for sale as parts. Using backs cuts the cost and we think ups the flavor of this wonderful broth over the use of wings. In particular if they are the factory-farmed chicken source. Less fat too although the fat quality on pasture raised birds is SO good that the schmaltz makes the flavor fabulous.

Griff

Excellent. I use chicken bones from my local butcher instead of chicken wings, it cuts costs and is less mess

Anne

Delicious with a regular orange and no lime. Also delicious without any garnish.

kathy g

Another alternative to chicken wings are chicken feet, if you can find them. I’m lucky enough that my supermarket cart them all the time. Use them with the carcass from a roast chicken and you get a wonderful bone broth!

mnr

took a bit longer than 2 hours (just shy of 3 hours) to get it to be as flavorful as i expected. i usually modify recipes a tad, i left this alone. the aromas in the hallway of my building were ethereal.i pulled the chicken from the bones and used it for some chicken salad.

Teadoro

I doubled the ginger and cut it into pieces. Mistake. Subtlety is a virtue. I added garlic for health reasons and it was great.

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Cold Cure Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What soup is good for throat infection? ›

Chicken Noodle Soup

Hot chicken soup can relieve a sore throat and stimulate nasal clearance. Load it up with whatever vitamin-rich veggie medley strikes your fancy. The vegetables and noodles will boost your immune system and help you feel full and satisfied. Check out our chicken noodle soup video recipe!

Will chicken soup really cure your cold? ›

Eating chicken soup while you have a cold will not do you any harm, but it will not cure your cold. Drinking warm liquids, such as soup, may give you relief from your symptoms for a short time. The steam from chicken soup may open up congested noses and throats.

What soup is good for pneumonia? ›

Even when you're healthy, you need lots of fluids to stay hydrated. But they're extra important when you have pneumonia, because they help loosen the mucus in your lungs. That way, you can get rid of it when you cough. Your best options include water, warm tea, and broth-based soups, like chicken soup.

What soup is good for cough and phlegm? ›

Which soups can help with a cough that brings up phlegm? Soups with ingredients like loquat leaf, apricot kernel, and bitter almond are believed to be effective in reducing phlegm. You can also try soups with herbs like platycodon root and fritillary bulb, which are believed to have expectorant properties.

How do you cure an unbearable sore throat? ›

Sore throat
  1. gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this)
  2. drink plenty of water.
  3. eat cool or soft foods.
  4. avoid smoking or smoky places.
  5. suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking.
  6. rest.

What can I eat when sick but not soup? ›

Foods to ease an upset stomach

Here's what to eat when sick with stomach problems. Bland carbohydrates. Choose bland carbohydrates like plain rice, toast, crackers, or pretzels when your stomach feels queasy. These low-fiber options provide gentle nourishment while minimizing irritation.

Does eating soup actually help when sick? ›

Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu. Some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Though research is scant, experts say chicken soup is worth a try when you're sick.

What is the healthiest soup to eat? ›

These healthy soup recipes are packed full of goodness but they also pack a punch when it comes to flavour.
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

Is Campbell's chicken noodle soup healthy? ›

Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup

Campbell's condensed chicken noodle soup is a classic and one of the most popular canned soups. But Frost, Gonzalez and Tills all said it's the least-healthy choice because it's so high in sodium: 890 mg per serving, or 39% of your daily value.

What is the best broth to drink when sick? ›

Bone broth serves as a great way to replenish the fluids that you're losing, while also providing your body with valuable electrolytes from the sodium in the broth. These electrolytes will also help you absorb the water more easily.

Why chicken noodle soup when sick? ›

Even the warmth of chicken soup can help. Drinking the liquid and inhaling the vapors increase the temperature of nasal and respiratory passages, which loosens the thick mucus that often accompanies respiratory illnesses. Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus.

Which soup is best for lungs? ›

Let's prepare a Soup that works like a healing medicine for your lungs. The ingredients: cauliflower, ginger, garlic, onion, coriander and curcuma strengthen the lung energy and thus helps to relieves colds, inflammations and infections, low vitality and fatigue, astma and skin problems.

What foods help heal lungs? ›

Consuming berries, nuts, fatty fish, garlic and turmeric can also support lung health because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The following foods have also been shown to have a positive impact on lung health.

What not to eat with an upper respiratory infection? ›

Foods to Avoid:
  • Dairy Products: Dairy products like milk, cheese, ice cream, etc., can worsen congestion due to their mucus-producing nature.
  • Processed Foods: Processed foods such as chips, cookies, etc., can cause inflammation in the body which can worsen your symptoms.
Jan 3, 2024

Which food is good during throat infection? ›

Some foods you may want to eat are:
  • warm, cooked pasta, including macaroni and cheese.
  • warm oatmeal, cooked cereal, or grits.
  • gelatin desserts.
  • plain yogurts or yogurts with pureed fruits.
  • cooked vegetables.
  • fruit or vegetable smoothies.
  • mashed potatoes.
  • broth and cream-based soups.

What are the best soups to eat with strep throat? ›

Slurp cream- and broth- based soups.

Whether you opt for a hot (but not too hot) bowl of chicken noodle or a cold, creamy gazpacho, soups of nearly every kind with help soothe your throat when you have strep.

Does soup get rid of mucus in throat? ›

Drinking enough liquids, especially warm ones can help with mucus flow. Water and other liquids can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping liquids, like juice, clear broths, and soup. Other good liquid choices include decaffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, and lemon water.

What to eat when strep throat? ›

Eat soothing foods.

Easy-to-swallow foods include broths, soups, applesauce, cooked cereal, mashed potatoes, soft fruits, yogurt and soft-cooked eggs. You can puree foods in a blender to make them easier to swallow. Cold foods, such as sherbet, frozen yogurt or frozen fruit pops also may be soothing.

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