Gut-Healing & Autoimmune-Calming Bone Broth Chicken Soup!

Gut-Healing & Autoimmune-Calming Bone Broth Chicken Soup!

Posted April 21, 2025

The ancient concept that "all disease begins in the gut" has gained remarkable scientific validation in recent years. This idea, first proposed by Hippocrates over 2,000 years ago, finds particularly powerful validation in today's research on autoimmune disease. The gut microbiome and intestinal barrier function now stand at the forefront of our understanding of immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation. As a holistic nutrition coach and an autoimmune overcomer myself, I've seen firsthand how restoring gut health is absolutely imperative for achieving true and lasting healing from autoimmune diseases.

This super healing bone broth chicken soup recipe, which I’ve refined over time, has become my most urgent recommendation for clients/friends/neighbors/anyone at all who are dealing with autoimmune flares or other inflammatory issues.

Here are some of its incredible healing powers:

• Slow-simmered bone broth delivers collagen, gelatin, glutamine, and glycine – critical nutrients that help repair the intestinal lining and address the increased permeability known as "leaky gut.”
• These compounds can also help to restore intestinal health to a gut microbiome that is in the disrupted and unbalanced state of dysbiosis by supporting beneficial bacteria.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and ginger work alongside the broth's amino acid profile to help calm systemic inflammation.
• Apple cider vinegar helps with the extraction of minerals from the chicken bones, ensuring nutrient density.
• As a whole, this soup provides abundant nourishment in its most digestible form.
• Organic vegetables provide nutrition without the inflammatory burden of pesticides that can trigger or worsen autoimmune reactions.
• Especially for those navigating Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, this soup offers vital nutrition that soothes rather than aggravates inflamed digestive systems.
  

Big Bonus: This soup is also powerful for addressing common acute illnesses like colds and flu! In addition to providing easily absorbed nutrients that support immune function, the anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties of ingredients like coconut oil, ginger, and turmeric help combat pathogens directly.

This recipe supports healing for both the short-term and long-term. It aligns perfectly with the therapeutic protocols of AIP, SCD, GAPS, and Whole30. Whether you're actively addressing autoimmune symptoms or simply want to support your body's natural resilience, this remedy delivers much needed nourishment where healing truly begins – in the gut.

The Recipe

Gluten free, Dairy free, Nut Free, Refined Sugar Free, Whole 30, Paleo, GAPS and SCD Legal.

Yield: Makes approximately 6-8 servings (about 2 quarts of soup)

Use organic ingredients whenever possible and always avoid any ingredients that you have a known sensitivity to or intolerance of.

Ingredients:

- 1 Whole Chicken (preferably pasture-raised, or organic is 2nd best)

- 1 stalk celery cut in half

- 4 whole carrots cut up into bite-size pieces

- 1 large onion quartered

- 1 bay leaf

- 2 tbsps Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

- 2 tbsps coconut oil

- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (avoid if following AIP)

- 1/2 inch of peeled raw turmeric root

- 1/2 inch of peeled raw ginger root

- Enough water to cover chicken

Instructions:

- Put all ingredients (except for ginger and turmeric) into a large pot or slow cooker

- If making on the stove, bring to a boil then cook on low for 4 hours, if making in the slow cooker, cook on low for 7 hours

- Let soup cool a bit, then remove chicken and vegetables from pot and set aside

- Discard celery and onion

- Strain broth through a fine mesh strainer into a separate large glass container

- If experiencing digestive distress, purée carrots before returning them to the broth, if not experiencing digestive distress then add chopped carrots back in as is

- Grate fresh turmeric and ginger and stir into the soup

- Remove chicken meat from bones, shred into small pieces, and return to soup

- Allow soup to fully cool then refrigerate

- Remove top layer of fat from chilled soup

- Heat up desired portion on the stovetop

Note:

‍If fresh turmeric root is unavailable, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric. Add it to the soup when you return the carrots to the broth, rather than at the end. The same substitution works for ginger: 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger can replace the fresh root if necessary.

Storage:

This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. It can also be frozen in individual portions for up to 3 months. The broth may gel when chilled—this is a good sign that indicates a high collagen content!