Every now and then, most people crave a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup. But for those following a keto diet, traditional noodles aren’t an option.
That's where this delicious keto chicken noodle soup comes in. Made with organic chicken, fresh vegetables, and low-carb noodles, it's the ideal comfort food that won’t kick you out of ketosis.
Why you’ll love this keto-friendly recipe
This keto chicken noodle soup is not only a soothing and comforting meal but also has several health benefits.
Each serving offers a balanced macronutrient profile, including 36 grams of protein to support muscle health, while containing only six grams of net carbs, making this a truly keto-friendly option.
The inclusion of safflower oil provides healthy fats, which are essential for brain function and keep your body in fat-burning mode.
Using organic chicken helps reduce exposure to potential hormones and antibiotics commonly found in factory farm-raised poultry.
Including a variety of fresh vegetables offers a variety of essential nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, which are essential for strong immune defenses and digestive health.
Research published in Nutrients found that dietary fiber plays a critical role in various bodily functions, including maintaining colon health, improving gut movement, and lowering the risk of colorectal cancer.
The study further explains that fiber feeds the beneficial microorganisms in the digestive tract, which help regulate appetite and metabolic functions while lowering the risk of inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
Moreover, the homemade egg noodles, crafted from cream cheese and seasoned with onion and garlic powder, give the dish a delightful texture and richness, making it a truly satisfying meal.
This recipe can also be made in large batches, ideal for large families or meal prep.
What’s in keto-friendly noodles?
Traditional chicken noodle soup is made with wheat flour noodles, which are high in carbohydrates and unsuitable for a nutritious low-carb diet such as Healthy Keto®.
This keto chicken soup recipe uses homemade low-carb noodles made by mixing eggs with cream cheese and seasonings, allowing you to create a delectable, low-carb alternative that satisfies your cravings without disrupting ketosis.
What’s more, by making your own noodles, you can control the ingredients, which helps ensure they are organic and free from unwanted additives or preservatives commonly found in store-bought brands.
Conventional vs. organic chicken
Most conventional chickens sold are raised in crowded, unsanitary factory farms and genetically manipulated to grow faster and larger.
This results in a higher concentration of antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and other chemicals that can harm human health.
The meat from these chickens is also more vulnerable to microbial contamination.
"Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli are pathogenic bacteria commonly found in chickens and linked to foodborne illness," explains Dr. Berg. "This is due to the condition of large-scale factory farms where animals are raised in confined spaces and fed unnatural diets."
In contrast, organic chicken is raised under stricter standards, ensuring outdoor access, free roaming space, and a diet without antibiotics or genetically modified feed.
This results in meat with higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, crucial for heart and brain health, and minerals, including iron and zinc, essential for immune and muscle function.
Chicken noodle soup for arthritis pain relief
Arthritis is a common skeletal disorder characterized by inflammation of the joints, resulting in pain and stiffness.
One popular remedy passed down for generations to manage arthritis symptoms is having chicken soup when experiencing joint pain.
Research published in Arthritis Research and Therapy supports this claim and confirms that chicken collagen helps alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Collagen plays a crucial role in joint cartilage, and the authors summarized that chicken type II collagen is a safe and effective treatment option for RA.
"Ingesting collagen doesn't replace your body's collagen. However, it acts as a decoy to reduce inflammation caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking your joints' cartilage," explains Dr. Berg.
What to serve with Keto Chicken Noodle Soup
Although this soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, you can add a low-carb side dish or two to complement it.
Here are a few mouthwatering options that will pair well with many keto soups:
Traditional crackers, pretzels, fries, and garlic bread are high in carbs and not keto-friendly. However, you can enjoy these low-carb versions without worrying about compromising your keto diet goals.
Storage and reheating tips
This keto chicken soup can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for three months.
When reheating any leftover chicken soup, pour it into a saucepan and gently simmer for several minutes over medium heat before serving.
If your soup thickens up during storage, add extra chicken bone broth or heavy cream when reheating.
To avoid the noodles getting soggy, store them separately from the broth and add them when ready to serve.
Key takeaways
This keto chicken noodle soup blends tasty organic chicken, vegetables, and spices with immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Not only is the soup delicious, but it’s also rich in chicken collagen, which has been found to help alleviate joint pain and stiffness in individuals with arthritis.
FAQ
1. How many carbs are in chicken noodle soup?
The carbs in keto chicken noodle soup can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used. However, this keto soup recipe contains around six grams of carbs per serving.
2. Can you have chicken noodle soup on keto?
Classic chicken noodle soup isn’t suitable for keto due to the high amounts of carbohydrates in wheat noodles.
Fortunately, this keto soup recipe uses homemade low-carb noodles that don't include wheat flour and won't raise blood sugar levels.
3. Are egg noodles low-carb?
Homemade egg noodles made with only eggs, cream cheese, and spices are considered low-carb as they contain significantly fewer carbohydrates than traditional wheat flour noodles.
However, if you’re planning to purchase pre-made keto noodle brands, it's essential to check the ingredients as they can contain ingredients that may interfere with ketosis.
4. What’s in keto-friendly noodles?
Depending on the recipe, keto-friendly noodles can be made with various low-carb ingredients such as eggs, cream cheese, almond flour, and coconut flour. These noodles work well in low-carb pasta dishes and various keto soup recipes.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7589116/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19951408/
