Description

Easy Lemon Chicken Soup combines zesty lemon with tender chicken and fresh vegetables to create a bright, comforting, and nutritious meal perfect for cozy lunches or dinners. This refreshing soup is quick to prepare using simple, pantry-friendly ingredients and can be easily customized to suit your taste and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 lb chicken thighs or breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables

1 medium onion, peeled and diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Flavorings

6 cups chicken broth or stock
2 tbsp olive oil
Zest of 2 fresh lemons
Juice of 2 fresh lemons
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Herbs and Finishing

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp natural gelling agent (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Peel and dice the onions, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic. Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Zest and juice the lemons separately to ensure freshness at the finishing stage.
Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, building a flavorful base.
Add Chicken and Broth: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and stir briefly to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Finish with Lemon and Seasonings: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the natural gelling agent if a thicker texture is desired. Stir well and cook for an additional 2 minutes to blend flavors.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the soup just before serving to add bright color and fresh herbal notes.

Notes

Use fresh lemons for the best flavor impact instead of bottled lemon juice or peel.
Simmer gently after adding broth to keep chicken tender and avoid dryness.
Add lemon juice and zest at the end to preserve their bright, zesty flavor.
Thoroughly sauté vegetables to deepen soup flavor.
Fresh parsley garnish enhances flavor and presentation.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 180
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Lemon Chicken Soup, Comfort Soup, Easy Soup Recipe, Gluten-Free Soup, Healthy Chicken Soup, Bright Flavored Soup