Penicillin soup is the traditional sick-day recipe that Italian and Jewish grandmothers have been making for generations when someone in the family comes down with a cold. The name reflects the generations-old recognition that a warm, nourishing bowl of chicken soup provides meaningful comfort during cold and flu season, though the soup is not a treatment or substitute for medical care. The Dr. Kellyann version builds on Bone Broth Classic Chicken as the base, delivering the same warming comfort with the protein and amino acids that bone broth provides.
After two decades of clinical practice, Dr. Kellyann observed that the traditional sick-day comfort food wisdom passed down through generations aligns with what modern nutritional thinking suggests: warm liquid supports hydration during illness, protein supports general daily function, and the ritual of a warm bowl of soup provides psychological comfort during the physical discomfort of being sick. This recipe honors that tradition with a quality bone broth base.
What Makes a Penicillin Soup
The traditional penicillin soup is a chicken-forward broth with simple vegetables, soft noodles or rice, and herbs that create the warming comfort the recipe is known for. Different cultures have slightly different versions, with Italian variations typically including small pasta and Jewish variations typically including egg noodles or matzo balls. The common thread across all versions: a quality chicken broth base, tender vegetables, soft starch, and gentle seasoning that fits the compromised appetite of someone fighting a cold.
The Dr. Kellyann Penicillin Soup Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4 to 6)
8 cups Bone Broth Classic Chicken (two 32-ounce pouches). 2 tablespoons olive oil. 1 medium yellow onion, diced. 3 medium carrots, diced. 3 celery stalks, diced. 4 cloves garlic, minced. 2 bay leaves. 1 teaspoon dried thyme. 1 pound cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works well). 1 cup small pasta (ditalini, orzo, or pastina). 2 cups baby spinach. Juice of 1 lemon. Fresh parsley for serving. Quality sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Method
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until vegetables soften. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in Bone Broth Classic Chicken. Add bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Add pasta and cook according to package direction (typically 8 to 10 minutes). In the final 3 minutes of cooking, add the shredded chicken to warm through and the baby spinach to wilt. Remove from heat and remove bay leaves. Stir in fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with fresh parsley.
Why Bone Broth Works for the Base
Bone Broth Classic Chicken delivers a more concentrated protein and nutritional profile than typical commercial chicken broth. Research indexed in NIH's PubMed database has explored the role of warm nourishing broths in supporting daily nutritional patterns, with findings generally supportive of warm broth-based preparations for daily consumption. For sick-day recipes specifically, the quality of the broth base affects the overall nourishment the soup provides. The Cleveland Clinic has covered warm liquid consumption during illness in the broader wellness literature.
Hydration Support During Illness
Hydration adequacy becomes particularly important during cold and flu windows when fever, reduced appetite, and compromised fluid intake can produce dehydration. The warm liquid of penicillin soup supports hydration alongside the broader daily fluid intake. Lemon Sips provides an additional sugar-free flavored hydration option that supports daily fluid intake during cold and flu season when plain water becomes less appealing. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source has covered hydration during illness in the broader dietary guidance.
Variations
Gluten-Free Version
Substitute 1 cup cooked rice for the pasta. Add the rice in the final 5 minutes of cooking to warm through rather than cooking it in the soup itself. This produces a lighter version that works for women with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Low-Carb Version
Substitute 2 cups riced cauliflower for the pasta. Add in the final 3 to 4 minutes of cooking. This produces a version that fits ketogenic or low-carbohydrate eating patterns.
Jewish-Style Version
Substitute 1 cup wide egg noodles for the small pasta. Serve with matzo balls on the side for the traditional Jewish-style preparation.
Storage and Reheating
The soup stores well in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. If storing with pasta, the pasta will absorb liquid and soften further over time. For meal prep, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding to individual portions when serving to maintain texture.
Reheat gently on the stovetop with an additional splash of Bone Broth Classic Chicken to restore the original consistency. Avoid boiling vigorously, which can toughen the chicken and overcook the vegetables.
A Supportive Comfort Food, Not a Treatment
Penicillin soup provides warm comfort and nutritional support during cold and flu season but is not a treatment for illness. The soup supports hydration and daily nutritional intake during the window when illness compromises normal eating patterns. For women experiencing cold or flu symptoms, this soup fits alongside the broader wellness practices (rest, hydration, appropriate medical care when symptoms warrant) rather than replacing any of them.
The full Bone Broth collection provides variety for daily bone broth practice beyond specific sick-day recipes. Daily Collagen Peptides Unflavored alongside daily bone broth practice supports the broader nutritional foundation for daily wellness through cold and flu season. Dr. Kellyann's guide on bone broth benefits covers the broader daily practice framework.
When to See a Doctor
Cold and flu symptoms warranting medical evaluation include high fever (over 103 degrees), difficulty breathing, severe or persistent headache, symptoms lasting significantly beyond expected timeframes, dehydration signs, or symptoms unusual for your typical illness pattern. The soup is comfort food during illness; it does not replace medical evaluation when symptoms warrant care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called penicillin soup?
The name reflects the generations-old recognition from Italian and Jewish grandmothers that a warm, nourishing bowl of chicken soup provides meaningful comfort during cold and flu season. The name is affectionate tradition rather than a claim that the soup acts as a medication. Chicken soup is comfort food that supports hydration and daily nutritional intake during illness; it is not a treatment for cold or flu and does not replace medical care when symptoms warrant it. For broader daily bone broth practice, Dr. Kellyann's [bone broth benefits guide](https://drkellyann.com/blogs/news/bone-broth-benefits) covers the overall framework.
Can I make penicillin soup with Bone Broth Classic Chicken?
Yes, Bone Broth Classic Chicken is the recommended base for penicillin soup. Two 32-ounce pouches (8 cups) serves as the broth foundation for a 4 to 6 serving pot. The concentrated protein and nutritional profile of real bone broth delivers more nourishment than typical commercial chicken broth. Combined with cooked shredded chicken, vegetables, pasta, and herbs, the finished soup delivers the traditional comfort food experience with a quality broth base.
How long does penicillin soup last in the fridge?
Penicillin soup stores well in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. If storing with pasta, the pasta will absorb liquid and soften further over time. For meal prep, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding to individual portions when serving to maintain texture.
Is Bone Broth Classic Chicken soup good when you have a cold?
Bone Broth Classic Chicken soup provides warm comfort, hydration support, and daily nutritional intake during cold and flu season. The warm liquid helps support hydration when illness compromises normal fluid intake. The protein and amino acids contribute to daily nutritional adequacy. It is comfort food that supports the body during illness; it is not a treatment or substitute for medical care when symptoms warrant evaluation.