When you’re sick, it’s important to eat healthy, nutritious food to help boost your immune system and give your body the strength to fight off illness. The main problem, though? It’s hard to find the energy to cook when you’re feeling awful. I’m often tempted to order in—living in NYC means I’m surrounded by hundreds of restaurants, and it’s incredibly easy to give in. But restaurant food usually isn’t very nutritious, so as tempting as it is, it’s often better to make something wholesome at home.

That’s where a simple, comforting chicken noodle soup with vegetables in bone broth comes in.

This is a basic soup that’s super easy to make, especially when you’re under the weather. I start with nourishing chicken bone broth. While you can make your own using bones, I usually opt for the shortcut during sick days and get mine from a reputable place. I order bone broth from Brodo—they’re close to my apartment, and they also deliver across the US.

To the broth, I add some ginger and onions, a mix of healthy veggies, chicken (for protein), and noodles (for carbs). That’s really all you need.

For an extra layer of flavor—and a little immune boost—I love topping the soup with garlic chips. They add a bit of delicious crunch, and garlic comes with a long list of health benefits. While this recipe follows a specific mix, feel free to use whatever nutritious veggies you have on hand or prefer.

Note:
I originally shared this post during the first wave of COVID in the spring of 2020, after coming down with a very severe case myself (my lung collapsed, among other things). I was lucky to have a wonderful doctor who was actively treating COVID patients in the hospital at the time. Based on their guidance and what early scientific research was showing, I shared what I was doing to support my recovery. The post was widely shared around the world, and I heard from many people who found it helpful.

Now that a few years have passed—and with vaccines available and COVID no longer as frightening as it once was—I’ve decided to revise the post. The original COVID-related details now feel more like a time capsule. So I’ve rewritten it to focus purely on the recipe for this simple, comforting soup.