Chicken Soup for Grown-Ups!

Chills. Fever. Aching.

No matter who's the sick one,

Chicken soup for all.

While all around us friends were losing their heads to colds and coughs this fall, I was so proud that we skirted the issue. Until two days ago: we lost the upper-respiratory health war.

My daughter came back from trick-or-treating with tricks, and she has not even looked at her bag of treats. It is hard to believe, but all she wanted was chicken noodle soup. From a can. 

My motherly instincts mutinied, and I insisted on at least partially homemade. We compromised: I used canned broth and a rotisserie chicken, but I cooked the noodles. Does that equate me with Clara Barton? Maybe not, but I felt better.

My husband and I are not sick, however, so we wanted something of substance, with plenty of taste. I made my girl her plain soup, then I embellished some for us.

Here’s hoping you are cold-free this winter, and you can try these easy soups just because you have a craving.

Vaccines have their place,

But my Mama's chicken soup

Kicks some flu germ butt.

Thai Chicken Noodle Chowder

1 (14.1-ounce) can organic Thai coconut soup, such as Amy’s

2 ounces stick rice noodles, broken in half

1 cup canned fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

3/4 cup shredded cooked chicken breast

1 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Lime wedges

Cook noodles in boiling water 5 minutes or until done. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well.

Combine soup, broth, and chicken in a medium saucepan; add chicken and noodles. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir in cilantro. Serve in bowls with lemon wedges. Makes 2 servings.

Spicy Tomato Chicken Soup

If you can’t find this soup, use condensed tomato bisque soup and dilute it according to package directions.

1 (14.5-ounce) can chunky tomato bisque soup, such as Amy’s

3/4 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup shredded cooked chicken breast

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 cup chili beans, undrained

1/4 cup frozen or canned corn kernels

1 or 2 teaspoons chili powder

Heat all ingredients in a medium saucepan until simmering; simmer 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Makes 2 servings.