The Glow-Up Chicken Soup That Healed My Mood

A steaming bowl of vibrant chicken soup, garnished with fresh herbs and colorful carrots, exudes warmth and comfort.

Sometimes, the tiniest change in the kitchen can shift everything. Not just your day — but your mood, your energy, even your sense of peace. On a gray, uninspired morning not long ago, that change came for me in the form of a bowl of soup.

But not just any soup. This one had heart, memory, intention… and a clean, nourishing twist that brought me back to life from the inside out.

A Cloudy Day

It started with clouds — literal and emotional. Outside, the sky was draped in gray. Inside, I felt the same: sluggish, flat, unmotivated. You know those days where even your coffee feels like it gave up halfway?

I dragged through my morning, until something in me whispered: Cook.

Not for the to-do list. Not for productivity. For comfort.

The Memory That Warmed Me

I thought of my grandmother’s chicken soup — the one she’d make when anyone felt under the weather. It wasn’t just the warmth; it was the love she simmered into it. I could hear her voice, soft and sweet, reminding me: “There’s healing in the pot if you make it with care.”

But instead of sticking exactly to her old-school version, I gave it the Helen treatment — clean, unprocessed, and upgraded for today’s body, mind, and skin.

The Nourishing Ingredients

This version is anti-inflammatory, full of gut-soothing minerals, and rich in flavor without anything artificial. Here’s how I build it:

Glow-Up Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb organic pasture-raised chicken breasts

• 6 cups homemade or low-sodium bone broth

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 3 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 large leek (white part only), thinly sliced

• 1 small fennel bulb, chopped (optional — supports digestion!)

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 thumb of fresh ginger, grated (for immune + mood boost)

• 1 tsp turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory goddess)

• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

• Sea salt and cracked pepper to taste

• Handful of fresh herbs: parsley, thyme, dill

• Optional: a handful of chopped kale or spinach added at the end

Cooking as a Mood Practice

As I chopped and stirred, I wasn’t just making soup — I was slowing down. Returning to myself. The colors, the smells, the textures — it became therapy. The ginger and garlic hit the pan with a hiss, releasing that spicy-citrusy scent that feels like an emotional reset. The turmeric painted everything golden.

Cooking like this — with intention — turns your kitchen into a sacred space.

And that soup? It turned into a potion.

Cooking Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics

Heat the olive or avocado oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Add garlic, ginger, turmeric, and leek. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.

2. Add Veggies

Stir in the carrots, celery, and fennel (if using). Cook for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add Broth + Chicken

Pour in the bone broth. Gently place chicken breasts into the pot. Add salt, pepper, and a bay leaf if you like.

Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

4. Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken breasts and place them on a plate. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

5. Return + Add Herbs

Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add fresh parsley, thyme, and dill. Simmer for 5–10 more minutes uncovered to let flavors marry.

6. Add Greens + Finish

Stir in kale or spinach if using, and let it wilt for 1–2 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasoning. Add a squeeze of lemon if desired.

A warm pot of chicken soup simmering on the stove, releasing fragrant steam.

Transformation in a Bowl

Once the soup had simmered, I sat at my table, wrapped in a blanket, with a steaming bowl and a calm heart. The broth shimmered with richness. The veggies were tender but vibrant. The herbs danced across the top like tiny green blessings.

The first sip wasn’t just flavor. It was relief.

I felt warm. Alive. Reconnected to myself.

A close-up view of a bowl filled with chicken soup, garnished with fresh parsley.

Sharing the Joy

That day, I texted a photo to three of my girlfriends with the message:

“This soup saved me today.”

And then I realized — why keep it to myself?

So here it is: my healing, mood-shifting, gray-day-banishing bowl of goodness.

The kind of recipe that doesn’t just fill your belly — it restores your spirit.

Your Turn

What’s your version of this dish — the one that picks you up when you’re low?

Try this recipe the next time you feel off, foggy, or heavy. Light a candle. Play some music. Stir slowly. And let your body thank you for showing it love in its most delicious form.

Because food isn’t just fuel — it’s medicine, it’s memory, and sometimes… it’s magic.