Mediterranean Lemon Herb Chicken Soup (Print)

Aromatic chicken soup with Mediterranean herbs, lemon, and vegetables—perfect for a wholesome meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 5 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Broth & Liquids

07 - 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - Juice and zest of 1 large lemon

→ Herbs & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn or brown the garlic.
03 - Add chicken pieces to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Pour in chicken broth. Add oregano, thyme, basil, bay leaf, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
06 - Stir in chopped spinach, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, just until spinach wilts.
07 - Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf. Stir in fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and an additional squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The lemon brightness cuts through the richness just enough to keep you coming back for another spoonful
  • Everything simmers in one pot and most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen
  • It freezes beautifully so you can always have a comforting meal ready
02 -
  • Adding the lemon at the end preserves its bright fresh flavor instead of cooking it away
  • The spinach only needs a minute or two to wilt any longer and it loses its vibrant color
03 -
  • Chicken thighs stay more tender than breasts if you plan to make this ahead and reheat
  • Zesting the lemon before juicing makes it so much easier and prevents losing any of those precious oils

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