Description
Hearty lemon ginger chicken noodle soup delivers comfort and zesty healing in one pot. Spices, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs combine for a nourishing meal that welcomes you to savor each warming spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 5 cups (1.2 L) chicken stock
- 3 tbsps (45 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) freshly grated ginger
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) minced lemongrass
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 0.75 cup (177 mL) ditalini pasta
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) chopped fresh chives
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: In a large stockpot, warm olive oil and gently cook onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent, creating a flavor-rich base for the soup.
- Aromatic Infusion: Incorporate minced garlic, grated ginger, lemongrass, thyme, and rosemary, stirring to release their vibrant essences and create a fragrant foundation.
- Poaching Chicken: Add chicken stock and whole chicken thighs, bringing the mixture to a boil before reducing to a gentle simmer. Allow the chicken to cook thoroughly and impart deep, savory flavors into the broth.
- Protein Preparation: Remove chicken thighs, shred the meat using two forks, and return the tender pieces back to the simmering pot, distributing evenly throughout the liquid.
- Pasta and Finishing Touches: Add ditalini pasta and cook until al dente. Remove bay leaves, squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup, and season with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle chopped chives over the soup, creating a bright, fresh finish. Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls, ready to warm and delight.
Notes
- Flavor Infusion Technique: Sauté aromatics like ginger, garlic, and herbs low and slow to release maximum depth and complexity of flavors without burning.
- Chicken Poaching Tip: Keep the chicken thighs whole while simmering to preserve moisture and prevent tough, dry meat; shred after cooking for tender results.
- Pasta Timing Strategy: Add pasta near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture; ditalini absorbs broth quickly, so monitor closely.
- Brightness Balancer: Fresh lemon juice added at the final stage lifts the entire soup’s profile, cutting through richness and providing a vibrant, fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg