Golden Turmeric Chicken Soup (Printable View)

Golden, aromatic chicken soup with turmeric and warming spices for wellness and comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated
07 - 1 cup baby spinach or kale leaves

→ Broth & Liquids

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - Juice of 1 lemon

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1.5 teaspoons ground turmeric
12 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 0.5 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
15 - 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Herbs

16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in turmeric, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 30 seconds to allow spices to bloom and release their essential oils.
04 - Add chicken pieces and sauté for 2-3 minutes until just opaque on the surface.
05 - Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - Add spinach or kale and simmer for 5 more minutes until wilted and chicken is cooked through.
07 - Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under an hour, which means you can actually make it on a weeknight without stress.
  • The turmeric and ginger work together in a way that tastes complex but comes together from just a few ingredients.
  • It genuinely makes you feel better, whether you're fighting something off or just need comfort in a bowl.
02 -
  • Don't skip blooming the spices, that 30 seconds changes everything from one-dimensional to layered and warm.
  • Lemon juice at the end isn't optional, it's what prevents this from tasting flat and brings the whole soup into focus.
03 -
  • If your broth is salty, add a splash of water, turmeric soups are very forgiving that way.
  • Make a double batch and freeze half, it thaws beautifully and becomes an instant comfort when you need it.
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