Is It Healthy to Eat Homemade Chicken Soup Every Day?

December 7, 2025 •

4 min read

A 2000 study published in the journal CHEST suggested that chicken soup may have anti-inflammatory properties, making it a soothing choice for colds. But can eating homemade chicken soup every day provide lasting benefits without drawbacks, or is a varied diet still the healthier approach?

Quick Summary

Homemade chicken soup is nutritious and hydrating, but relying on it daily can lead to nutritional deficiencies due to lack of dietary variety and potential for high sodium intake.

Key Points

Nutritional Balance is Key: Relying solely on homemade chicken soup daily can lead to nutrient deficiencies; a diverse diet is essential.
Control Sodium Intake: Making soup at home allows you to manage and reduce sodium levels, which is crucial for heart health.
Immunity and Hydration: Homemade chicken soup provides excellent hydration and contains vitamins and minerals that support the immune system.
Boosts Gut Health: When made with bone broth, the soup offers collagen and gelatin, which can soothe and protect the digestive tract lining.
Make it Diverse: Incorporate a variety of vegetables and protein sources to ensure you receive a broad spectrum of nutrients.
Homemade is Superior: Homemade versions are significantly more nutritious and lower in sodium and additives than most canned or instant soups.

The Nutritional Power of Homemade Chicken Soup

Homemade chicken soup has long been touted as a remedy for the common cold, but its nutritional profile offers benefits that extend beyond a quick recovery. When prepared from scratch using fresh, whole ingredients, it provides a wealth of essential nutrients. The primary advantage of homemade soup over canned versions is the ability to control the quality and quantity of ingredients, avoiding the preservatives and excessive sodium found in many commercial products.

Protein and Amino Acids

Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which is vital for building and repairing tissues, producing hormones, and supporting immune function. A daily bowl can help you meet protein goals, especially when using generous portions of chicken breast or thighs. The protein found in chicken contains all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. When using bone broth as a base, the soup also provides glycine, an amino acid that can aid sleep and promote a healthy mood.

Vitamins and Minerals

The vegetables commonly used in chicken soup, such as carrots, celery, and onions, are packed with vitamins and minerals. Carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, which is crucial for immune function and vision. Meanwhile, onions and garlic contain organosulfides, compounds that can stimulate immune cells. Incorporating greens like kale or spinach can further boost the content of vitamins C and K. Bone broth, a common base for homemade soup, provides minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are essential for bone health.

Gut Health and Hydration

Good health often starts in the gut, and homemade chicken soup can play a supportive role. Broth made from simmering bones is rich in collagen and gelatin, which help to line and soothe the digestive tract. This makes it an easily digestible meal, perfect for when your body is working hard to recover from illness. The liquid base also ensures adequate hydration, which is crucial for all bodily functions, from immune support to cognitive performance.

Potential Downsides of a Daily Soup Habit

Despite its many benefits, consuming homemade chicken soup every day presents some potential drawbacks. The key issue lies not with the soup itself, but with the lack of dietary diversity that can occur when it becomes a staple meal.

Risk of Nutritional Imbalance

No single food, no matter how healthy, can provide all the nutrients your body needs. Relying exclusively on chicken soup can lead to deficiencies in essential fats, fiber, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals found in other food groups. For instance, while chicken provides protein, it lacks the broader nutrient profile of a balanced diet including nuts, seeds, and different vegetables.

Managing Sodium Levels

Even with homemade soup, sodium can become a concern. The amount of salt added during cooking, or from store-bought broths, can add up quickly. High sodium intake is linked to increased blood pressure and is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease. If you plan to eat soup daily, it is crucial to use a low-sodium broth or make your own from scratch with minimal added salt.

Flavor Fatigue

Another simple, yet important, consideration is taste. Eating the same meal every day, even a delicious one, can lead to flavor fatigue, causing you to lose enjoyment and potentially crave less healthy, more stimulating foods.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Chicken Soup: A Comparison


Feature	Homemade Chicken Soup	Store-Bought Chicken Soup
Sodium Content	Fully controllable, can be very low.	Often very high in sodium; can be a third or more of your daily recommended intake.
Nutritional Value	High, with vitamins, minerals, and collagen from fresh ingredients and bone broth.	Lower due to processing, with many nutrients cooked out.
Preservatives	None, relying on refrigeration or freezing for storage.	Can contain chemical preservatives and additives.
Cost	Generally more cost-effective when made in large batches.	Convenient but typically more expensive per serving than homemade.
Customization	Highly adaptable to dietary needs and taste preferences, e.g., adding more vegetables or spices.	Ingredients and flavors are fixed, with limited healthy options.

How to Incorporate Homemade Chicken Soup Healthily

To enjoy homemade chicken soup daily without compromising your health, consider the following strategies:

Vary Your Ingredients: Don't just stick to the classic chicken noodle. Add different vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, or sweet potatoes. Include legumes like lentils or chickpeas for a fiber boost.
Limit Your Sodium: Be mindful of added salt. Use herbs and spices like parsley, thyme, or turmeric to enhance flavor instead.
Make It a Side, Not the Main: For some meals, have a smaller bowl of soup as an appetizer rather than the entire main course. This fills you up with nutrients and hydration before a meal.
Rotate Your Proteins: While chicken is a great source of protein, rotate it with other sources throughout the week. Incorporate plant-based proteins like beans and lentils, and other animal proteins like fish or grass-fed beef.
Use Bone Broth: Making a base from bones can provide an extra boost of minerals and collagen. A detailed guide on this can be found in some online resources like Pasturebird.

Conclusion

Eating homemade chicken soup every day can be a part of a healthy diet, provided it is not your only source of nutrition. Its benefits, including hydration, immune support, and a rich source of protein and minerals, are significant. The key to making it a healthy daily habit is to ensure you maintain variety in your overall diet, manage sodium intake carefully, and continue to include a wide array of other nutrient-dense foods. By consciously varying your soup's ingredients and not allowing it to crowd out other essential food groups, you can enjoy this comforting dish year-round while supporting your overall health.

Optional Outbound Link: For more information on the potential anti-inflammatory properties of chicken soup, research found in the journal CHEST can provide additional insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, homemade chicken soup can support weight management. It is filling, generally low in calories, and can be eaten before meals to reduce overall calorie intake. For best results, use lean chicken and plenty of vegetables.

Making your own broth is generally better. Homemade broth offers superior nutritional value, especially with bone broth, and allows you complete control over the sodium content, avoiding the high levels often found in commercial products.

To boost nutrients, consider adding leafy greens like kale or spinach, antioxidant-rich garlic and ginger, various vegetables like sweet potatoes and bell peppers, and fiber-rich legumes like lentils or chickpeas.

A daily diet high in sodium, such as from canned soups, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which is a factor in heart and kidney disease. Homemade soup with low or no added salt is a better option.

Yes, homemade chicken soup can support the immune system. Ingredients like chicken, vegetables, garlic, and bone broth provide protein, vitamins, and minerals that help your body fight off illness.

Homemade chicken soup can typically be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, it can be frozen for several months.

While the benefits of chicken are lost, a vegetable-based soup can still be very healthy. A broth made from a variety of vegetables and legumes can be rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing many of the same gut health and hydration benefits.