The Secret Ingredient Giada De Laurentiis Adds To Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken soup is such a comforting and nourishing food that there's even a tremendously successful inspirational book series named after it – Chicken Soup for the Soul. And there's a good reason why it's recommended for convalescents. Food Network reports that 12th-century Jewish scholars have praised chicken soup for various illnesses, perhaps owing to the significance of schmaltz (rendered poultry fat) in their religious traditions and cooking (per The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles), which allowed them to keep kosher and still cook meat. Food Network adds that chicken soup is rich in minerals, and nutritious vegetables, which can help fight germs (via Harvard School of Public Health).

WebMD concurs, explaining that chicken soup boosts immunity and alleviates inflammation. Plus, its salty broth is great for rehydrating while you're sick, and it's a hearty, welcome meal any time of the year. Chicken soup is a great way to use up a leftover rotisserie chicken from the store or your last roast chicken dinner. It's no surprise that celebrity chefs like Giada De Laurentiis have their own renditions of this classic, but hers has something special in it that makes it extra tasty and even healthier.

In her Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup, De Laurentiis adds two whole lemons' worth of juice and explains that it helps "brighten up the flavor." Showbiz CheatSheet says (via Giada at Home) that while De Laurentiis admits lemon juice isn't typically added to chicken soup, "I'm telling you, this is really good." An article about this practice by SheKnows adds that the lemon doesn't sour the soup, but highlights its ingredients. The thousands of Food Network reviews under the recipe boast love for the lemon in the soup, which sets it apart from other recipes.

Adding acid to soup is actually a common culinary practice. Chicago Tribune reports that cookbook author James Peterson likes vinegar for soups and sauces, as it functions as a natural, subtle flavor enhancer and balancer, fixing "dull" recipes — even desserts. But vinegar only needs to be used in small amounts, measured by the teaspoon. Bonus — according to MasterClass, adding a little vinegar or lemon juice to bone broth helps the bones and meat relinquish their glorious collagen.

If you want to dive deeper into chicken with lemon recipes, De Laurentiis has plenty to keep you busy with this winning combination. She marinates the meat in lemon juice for lemony fried chicken and simmers briny capers with sweet citrus in her chicken piccata. You can't go wrong with her mouthwatering lemon honey dijon chicken, combining sweet and tart to great effect. The zest of lemons complements creamy, cheesy, and carby dishes, too, like lemon spaghetti and linguine with shrimp and lemon oil. The "Everyday Italian" star is a true master of cooking with lemon.

Now that you're ready to run to the kitchen and whip up something delicious with lemon, know that the real deal – fresh lemon juice, from actual lemons — is best. Future Fit explains that bottled stuff often has preservatives that alter its flavor and may cause allergic reactions. Plus, fresh lemon juice has much more vitamin C, Future Fit adds. So follow along with the celebrity chef and try your hand at acalssic version or a lemon chicken soup and dumpling recipe.