Description
Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup is a light, nourishing, and flavorful meal combining tender chicken, fresh herbs, bright lemon, and wholesome vegetables. This soup offers a vibrant citrus twist and comforting warmth, perfect for any time of year and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- Zest and juice of 2 fresh lemons
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Grains
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta or rice, rinsed if using rice
Liquids and Oils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil (natural)
Seasonings
- Salt (natural), to taste
- Black pepper (natural), to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Peel and mince the garlic. Chop the carrots and celery finely. Zest and juice the lemons. Gather and chop the fresh parsley and dill. Rinse the orzo pasta or rice if using.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil (natural) in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery. Stir and cook until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the diced chicken pieces to the pot. Cook until the chicken is just white on the outside but not fully cooked through, keeping it juicy and tender.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and chicken to cook completely.
- Stir in Pasta and Lemon: Add the orzo pasta or rice to the pot. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the grain is tender. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and zest to impart bright, vibrant Mediterranean flavor.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Seasoning: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle in the fresh parsley and dill. Season with salt (natural) and black pepper (natural) to taste. Mix well and let the soup rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for best flavor brightness.
- Do not overcook the chicken; add it later and cook just until done.
- Simmer gently to allow flavors to develop fully without harshness.
- Let the soup rest a few minutes before serving to meld flavors.
- Adjust lemon juice gradually to balance acidity to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: lemon chicken soup, Mediterranean soup, light soup, quick chicken soup, healthy soup, citrus soup, orzo soup, vegetable broth soup
