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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- In a spacious soup pot, combine butter and olive oil over medium heat, creating a flavorful base for the aromatic vegetables.
- Incorporate sliced leeks and diced carrots, gently sautéing until the leeks become translucent and the carrots begin to soften, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Introduce minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Herbes de Provence, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify their fragrant qualities for a brief moment.
- 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.
- 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.
- Let the soup rest momentarily, allowing the recently added ingredients to warm through while maintaining their delicate texture and freshness.
- Taste and refine the seasoning, ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors.
- 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