Mediterranean Lemon Herb Chicken Soup (Printable)
Vibrant, aromatic chicken soup with Mediterranean herbs, zesty lemon, and hearty vegetables for a wholesome meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, sliced into rounds
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 5 ounces 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)
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and onion becomes translucent.
02 - Stir minced garlic into the vegetable mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Garlic should become fragrant but not browned.
03 - Add chicken pieces to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is lightly browned on all sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Pour in chicken broth. Add dried oregano, thyme, basil, bay leaf, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and bring mixture to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 15 minutes. Chicken should be cooked through and vegetables tender when pierced with a fork.
06 - Stir in chopped spinach, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, just until spinach wilts completely.
07 - Remove pot from heat. Discard bay leaf. Stir in fresh parsley. Taste soup and adjust salt and pepper seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle hot soup into individual serving bowls. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The bright lemon finish wakes up your palate without overwhelming the cozy chicken broth
- Each spoonful delivers tender vegetables and perfectly cooked chicken in under an hour
- It freezes beautifully so you can pull sunshine from your freezer on busy nights
02 -
- Add spinach at the very end because overcooked spinach becomes slimy and loses its lovely vibrant green color
- Grating lemon zest before juicing prevents frustration and ensures you capture all those precious aromatic oils
03 -
- Make this soup a day ahead because the flavors meld and intensify beautifully overnight
- Taste your broth before adding salt since low sodium brands still vary significantly in sodium content