Description
Lemon Chicken Soup is a warm, soothing, and invigorating meal that combines tender chicken with zesty lemon, fresh herbs, and nutritious vegetables. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients and comes together in under an hour, delivering a comforting bowl packed with bright citrus flavor, hearty protein, and aromatic freshness. Perfect for any time you need a nurturing boost or a delicious, light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 medium carrots, washed and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, washed and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Liquids & Flavorings
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Other
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by washing and chopping the carrots, celery, and fresh herbs. Rinse the chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. Zest and juice the lemon, setting them aside separately.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, carrots, and celery, stirring until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. This creates a tasty vegetable base for the soup.
- Add Chicken and Broth: Next, add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Pour in the chicken broth along with vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), bringing everything to a gentle boil.
- Simmer to Develop Flavor: Reduce heat and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Finish with Lemon and Herbs: Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh parsley, and dill. Sprinkle in the natural gelling agent to enhance texture. Season well with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons: Fresh lemon juice and zest are key for the bright, vibrant note that defines this soup.
- Don’t overcook chicken: Keep an eye on cooking time so the chicken stays juicy and tender, not dry.
- Sauté vegetables gently: Softening the veggies before adding broth unlocks maximum flavor.
- Adjust acidity at the end: Taste before adding lemon juice, as you can always add more for brightness.
- Add herbs last: To keep their fresh aroma and crisp color, stir in parsley and dill just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Lemon Chicken Soup, Comfort Soup, Citrus Chicken Soup, Easy Chicken Soup, Healthy Soup, Gluten Free Soup
