Chicken Soup has been a popular go-to recipe for people feeling under the weather. Here are some Pinoy-style Chicken Soup variations to try out.

Every lola and nanay has her own version of chicken soup.  It is often reserved for days when someone isn’t feeling their best. While it has its origins as a folk remedy to clear up colds and the flu, its true purpose is to soothe and warm the soul.

When it comes to simple chicken soup recipes, the Western version usually comes to mind. But this time, let’s learn about the traditional chicken soup recipes Filipinos know and love so you can get cooking.

Filipino Recipes You Never Thought of as Chicken Soup

The classic Chicken Soup is made from a clear broth or stock. It contains a variety of vegetables (celery, carrots, onions, leeks) and, of course, chicken. Some recipes — depending on the region — could include rice, dumplings, and noodles. There’s nothing wrong with the good old way of cooking Chicken Soup, but you may want to zhuzh it up by adding Filipino twists to it!

Binakol

Chicken Tinola has to be an ulam standard for lots of Pinoys. Made with ginger, hot pepper leaves, green papaya, and chicken, Tinola is a nutritious and comforting dish. Thanks to Visayan ingenuity, this tasty soup was given a coconut-ty twist.

Binakol makes use of coconut water to cook the chicken and flavor the stock. Grated coconut meat, and lemongrass are added to the usual line-up of ingredients for Tinola. To make the dish visually appealing, the finished soup is usually served in a coconut shell.

Creamy Chicken Soup

Sometimes we need the help of canned products to make cooking easier. Reaching for canned goods doesn’t have to mean we are sacrificing our nutrition. Whether you choose to use pre-made cream of chicken or make one from scratch, adding vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and broccoli gives it an added boost of nutrition. To prepare the base for a yummy creamy Chicken Soup in minutes, you can use Knorr Cream of Mushroom Soup and add Knorr Chicken Cubes.

Nilagang Manok

Nilagang Baka and the baboy version are fairly standard fare. However, both sources of protein are quite pricey. Chicken on the other hand, is accessible, inexpensive and packed with nutrients — especially when you use white meat parts. Our Chicken Nilaga recipe is our closest version of the standard Chicken Soup recipe.

Chicken Sotanghon Soup

Many times, when Pinoys talk about sotanghon noodles, they often mean one of the Pancit versions that are out there. Aside from the noodles used in Pancit recipes, sotanghon goes well in a broth with cabbage, carrots, celery, bay leaves, annatto and chicken strips. Like Japanese Tori Paitan Ramen, Chicken Sotanghon is often topped with chopped scallions, Chicharon bits, toasted garlic, and a hardboiled egg.

Sinampalukang Manok

The beauty of Filipino dishes is the many variations one simple dish can have. Thanks to our 7,107 islands, with countless provinces and municipalities, our cuisine spawns' versions that represent the essences of locality. Because of this, we get to enjoy some well-loved flavors but with a few tweaks. The Sinampalukang Manok is an ode to the Sinigang. So when you’re tired of eating pork or seafood, switch it up by using chicken. And don’t forget to add Knorr Sinigang sa Sampalok in the broth otherwise it won't be considered Sinampalukan!

Can Chicken Soup Really Cure Colds?

Lots of people rely on Chicken Soup as a cold remedy. The question now, is there really any truth to these health-related claims?

According to an article written in WebMD, dietician Sandy Allonen attributes the medicinal benefits of hearty soup made with chicken broth and vegetables. According to her, warm chicken broth brings relief to colds because of its ingredients.

Whenever we have a cold, it is crucial to stay hydrated. Warm soup is soothing and relieves congestion, which therefore can be a great source of hydration. The use of garlic boosts immunity, while onions are rich in antioxidants. Every ingredient added to the soup has natural health benefits and when combined, creates a bowl rich in vitamins and nutrients.

More importantly, chicken has been known to have high levels of tryptophan which in turn can help the body produce mood enhancers, like serotonin. Any type of carbs in the soup produces a feeling of satisfaction and fullness. Furthermore, the human body relies on carbs as a source of energy. Thus, getting an ample dose of carbohydrates can help a sick person feel less lethargic.

Chicken Soup is comforting no matter if the recipe is of Pinoy or Western origins. With hectic schedules, finding time to make a pot of scratch can take up too much time. Thankfully, there’s always the option to reach for Knorr Chicken Noodle Soup.

In a matter of minutes, you can enjoy a bowl of nourishing Chicken Soup. Make it a point to add vegetables that are on hand to increase their overall nutrional value. We suggest rummaging through your fridge to find additional ingredients. Cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and even corn kernels are some options to make the dish more satisfying. For the last touch, serve it with some Pandesal or a bowl of Sinigang Rice.

The Conversation. 2015. Can chicken soup really cure body and soul?

WebMD. 2018. The Secret Behind Chicken Soup's Medical Magic.