The Brightest Springtime Lemony Chicken and Veggie Soup Recipe

Springtime lemony chicken and veggie soup promises a vibrant culinary adventure that awakens your taste buds after winter’s long slumber.

Fresh herbs and bright citrus notes dance through this comforting bowl, crafting simple ingredients into a nourishing masterpiece.

Lightweight yet satisfying, this soup captures the essence of seasonal renewal with its delicate balance of flavors.

Crisp vegetables and tender chicken create a harmonious blend that feels like a warm embrace.

Light broth infused with zesty lemon offers a refreshing twist on traditional comfort food.

Home cooks seeking a quick, nutritious meal will appreciate this recipe’s simplicity and elegant taste profile.

Nutritious and easy to prepare, this soup delivers a delightful dining experience that celebrates spring’s abundant freshness.

Why Springtime Lemony Chicken Soup Is So Fresh and Light

• Burst with Springtime Freshness: Packed with vibrant seasonal vegetables like zucchini, peas, and carrots, this soup captures the light, refreshing essence of spring in every spoonful.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot wonder delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy home cooks seeking a nutritious meal without complicated techniques.
• Zesty Lemon Lift: The bright lemon zest and juice transform this soup from ordinary to extraordinary, adding a tangy, citrusy brightness that awakens the palate and complements the tender chicken and vegetables.
• Protein-Packed Comfort: Lean chicken and protein-rich quinoa make this soup a satisfying, wholesome meal that keeps you full and energized, bridging the gap between light spring eating and hearty nutrition.

What You Need for Springtime Chicken and Veggie Soup

• Butter: Rich, creamy base for sautéing vegetables with a golden flavor.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, heart-healthy oil that enhances overall soup taste.

• Leek: Mild onion-like flavor that adds delicate sweetness to the soup base.
• Carrots: Sweet, colorful vegetable that provides nutrition and texture.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that creates depth and pungent undertone.
• Baby Zucchini: Tender, mild vegetable that adds freshness and subtle green color.
• English Peas: Sweet, bright green peas that bring spring-like vibrancy.

• Chicken Stock: Foundational liquid that creates rich, savory soup base.
• Cooked Chicken: Protein-packed ingredient that makes the soup hearty and satisfying.
• Quinoa: Protein-rich grain that adds nutritional value and interesting texture.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall flavor.
• Herbes de Provence: Classic French herb blend that provides aromatic complexity.

• Lemon Zest: Bright, citrusy essence that lifts the entire soup's flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Tangy liquid that adds freshness and balances rich ingredients.
• Fresh Basil: Fragrant herb that brings a final layer of herbaceous brightness.
• Lemon Wedges: Garnish that allows personal citrus adjustment at serving.

Making Springtime Lemony Chicken Soup from Scratch

Step 1: Warm Up the Aromatics

• Butter
• Olive oil

• Sliced leek
• Diced carrots

Cook while stirring occasionally until leeks become soft and translucent.

Step 2: Layer Delicious Flavors

• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Herbes de Provence

Let these ingredients dance and release their wonderful aromas for 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Create the Liquid Comfort

Pour chicken stock into the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover partially and let everything bubble softly for 10-15 minutes until carrots reach perfect tenderness.

Step 4: Welcome Fresh Companions

• Green peas
• Zucchini chunks
• Cooked chicken pieces
• Bright lemon zest
• Fresh lemon juice

Allow ingredients to mingle for a few minutes, letting vegetables become beautifully crisp.

Step 5: Elevate and Serve

• Fluffy quinoa
• Torn fresh basil leaves
• Lemon wedge for extra zesty happiness

Enjoy your vibrant springtime soup adventure!

How to Store and Reheat Lemony Chicken Soup

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing portions with quinoa to maintain better texture.
• Reheat: Gently warm the soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup seems too thick. For frozen soup, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Best Pairings for Lemony Chicken and Veggie Soup

• Craft Citrus-Infused White Wine Pairing: Complement the lemony brightness with a crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, enhancing the soup's delicate spring flavors and cutting through its light, zesty profile.
• Rustic Herb Bread Companion: Serve alongside a crusty sourdough or rosemary focaccia to soak up the flavorful broth, adding textural contrast and providing a satisfying carbohydrate element to the meal.
• Fresh Herbal Salad Side: Create a light mixed green salad with tender arugula, mint leaves, and a simple lemon vinaigrette that echoes the soup's citrus notes and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm dish.
• Crisp Mineral Water Refreshment: Select a sparkling mineral water with a hint of lemon to mirror the soup's citrus undertones, cleansing the palate between spoonfuls and offering a light, effervescent accompaniment.

Additions That Make This Soup Extra Springy

• Herbal Garden Fusion: Replace Herbes de Provence with fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage for an aromatic woodland-inspired soup that brings earthy Mediterranean flavors.
• Mediterranean Greek Style: Swap quinoa with orzo pasta, add crumbled feta cheese, and include chopped kalamata olives for a tangy Mediterranean character.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Incorporate diced green chilies, swap lemon juice with lime, add cumin and cilantro for a zesty southwestern transformation that amplifies heat and complexity.
• Creamy Coconut Wellness: Stir in light coconut milk instead of some chicken stock, include ginger and turmeric for an anti-inflammatory version with subtle tropical undertones.

Tips to Keep Spring Chicken Soup Bright and Flavorful

• Sauté with Precision: Slice leeks and dice carrots uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Herb Boost: Crush Herbes de Provence between your fingers before adding to release more intense, aromatic flavors into the soup base.
• Zucchini Timing: Add zucchini last to prevent overcooking, maintaining its fresh, crisp texture and vibrant green color.
• Lemon Brightness: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for a more vibrant, natural citrus flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Protein Perfection: Use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut that adds deeper, more developed flavor to the soup.

Springtime Lemony Chicken and Veggie Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Springtime Lemony Chicken and Veggie Soup brings sunshine to your bowl with a zesty Mediterranean-inspired blend. Fresh herbs and bright vegetables dance alongside tender chicken in this light, nourishing broth that refreshes palates and warms hearts.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 4 cups warm chicken stock/broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 leek, quartered, and white part sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 1 cup fresh English peas (or frozen peas)
• 1 cup baby zucchini, small dice
• ¼ cup chopped, fresh basil leaves

Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon herbes de provence
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 lemon wedges, for garnish

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Instructions

1. In a spacious soup pot, combine butter and olive oil over medium heat, creating a flavorful base for the aromatic vegetables.
2. Incorporate sliced leeks and diced carrots, gently sautéing until the leeks become translucent and the carrots begin to soften, releasing their natural sweetness.
3. Introduce minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Herbes de Provence, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify their fragrant qualities for a brief moment.
4. Stream in the chicken stock, bringing the liquid to a gentle simmer and partially covering the pot to allow the vegetables to tenderize for approximately 10-15 minutes.
5. Transition the pot off the heat and delicately fold in vibrant green peas, crisp zucchini, tender chicken pieces, bright lemon zest, and tangy lemon juice.
6. Let the soup rest momentarily, allowing the recently added ingredients to warm through while maintaining their delicate texture and freshness.
7. Taste and refine the seasoning, ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors.
8. Elevate the dish by nestling a generous scoop of fluffy quinoa into each serving, garnishing with delicate fresh basil leaves and a zesty lemon wedge to enhance the citrusy profile.

Notes

• Bursting with bright spring flavors, this lemony chicken soup transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant, nourishing meal.
• Zesty lemon and fresh herbs create a light, refreshing base that celebrates seasonal vegetables and tender chicken.
• Perfect for warming up chilly spring evenings or enjoying a quick, nutritious lunch that feels like a culinary hug.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg