Lemon Chicken Soup

4.68 from 34 votes

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This Lemon Chicken Soup has lots of veggies, protein, and whole grains. It tastes savory and herby all with a little zing from the lemon.

Lemon Chicken Soup in a pot

Lemon Chicken Soup

I have a delicious soup recipe to share with you all today…and it’s deceivingly healthy too 🙂 Friends, meet my latest creation: Lemon Chicken Soup. It’s really just divine…which is saying a lot because {1} its soup I’m talking about and {2} it’s healthy.

Main Ingredients

Here is everything you are going to need to make this incredible Lemon Chicken Soup:

  • Olive Oil and Yellow Onion – this soup starts out with sauteing onions, a basic yet powerful base.
  • Carrots and Celery – carrots and celery are also sauteed with the onions. Perfect chicken soup accompaniments.
  • Chicken Stock – this makes our recipe, soupy! My one tip here is to use high-quality chicken stock.
  • Tarragon, Bay Leaf, Salt, and Pepper – these four seasonings are essential to this recipe. Super flavorful combination.
  • Lemon Juice and Zest – if you think you aren’t going to like this soup because of the lemon, let me tell you that you can adjust the level of zinginess. Start out with no lemon juice and the zest of half a lemon and work your way up to the level of lemony goodness you want.
  • Chicken – you can either use pre-cooked chicken or raw chicken in this recipe. For more information on how to cook raw chicken in this soup see the recipe card down below.
  • Quinoa – if you have been looking for ways to use up your stash of quinoa in your pantry, this is it! So much yummy texture comes from quinoa.
  • Chives – this is used as a garnish and is optional.

Variations

If you have other ideas for this Lemon Chicken Soup, make them a reality! I am all for the customization of my recipes for your needs. Here are a few ideas:

  • Grain: if you don’t have quinoa on hand, feel free to use long grain brown rice or whole-wheat pasta. Even orzo would work well!
  • Veggies: feel free to switch out the veggies for what you have on hand. Zucchini, peas, broccoli, and cauliflower all sound delicious.
  • Vegetarian: if you are looking for a meatless option, leave out the chicken and switch out the chicken stock for veggie broth.

Lemon Chicken Soup in a pot

How to Make Lemon Chicken Soup

To make Lemon Chicken Soup, you add in the veggies, saute, then add in the stock and seasonings. Next is cooking the quinoa then adding in lemon flavor and chicken! For full details see the recipe card down below.

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil. Saute onion, carrot, and celery until softened.
  2. Pour in chicken stock, tarragon, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Bring to boil, pour in quinoa, brown rice, or spaghetti. Reduce heat and cook until tender.
  3. Stir in lemon juice, zest, chicken, and chives. Serve hot.

Note: If you don’t have already cooked chicken, stick 2 uncooked chicken breasts into the hot broth while the quinoa is cooking. After 20 minutes, remove, shred, and return to the pot.

Leftovers

Since Lemon Chicken Soup is a broth-based soup it stays good for longer than cream-based soups. Simply store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop!

Top down view of Lemon Chicken Soup in a bowl with a spoon

More Soup Recipes to Try!

More Savory Lemon Recipes!

If you have 30-45 minutes, be sure to whip up a batch of this lemon chicken soup. It will fill your families’ tummies and is something you can feel totally comfortable feeding your loved ones.

The printable is below, enjoy 🙂

Lemon Chicken Quinoa Soup
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4.68 from 34 votes

Lemon Chicken Soup

This Lemon Chicken Soup has lots of veggies, protein, and whole grains. It tastes savory and herby all with a little zing from the lemon.
servings 6 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 2 cups carrots peeled and chopped
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon tarragon
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup tri-color quinoa brown rice or spaghetti broken into pieces
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 cups chicken* cooked and shredded
  • 1 teaspoon chives

Instructions

  • In large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute onion, carrot and celery for 5 minutes to soften.
  • Pour in chicken stock, tarragon, salt, pepper and bay leaves. Bring to boil, pour in quinoa, brown rice or spaghetti and reduce heat to simmer and cook 20 minutes or until tender.
  • Stir in lemon juice, zest, chicken and chives. Serve hot.

Notes

*If you don't have already cooked chicken, stick 2 uncooked chicken breasts into the hot broth while the quinoa is cooking. After 20 minutes, remove, shred and return to the pot.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 493mg | Potassium: 630mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 253IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon chicken soup

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Recipe Rating




100 Responses
  1. Renee @ Tortillas and Honey

    This looks absolutely wonderful! I love all the ingredients in here… Only one question– did you use fresh or dried tarragon?

  2. carol davis

    This is perfect – just what I was looking for. I love the Lemon Chicken Orzo at the Greek restaurants, and even Panera, and this looks amazing to make at home.

  3. Linda

    Yum! I am making this today for us to enjoy with our Super Bowl supper. Thank you for the recipe. Will post again to give honest opinion.

  4. Sonya M

    My little victory today was waking up early to take care of my daughter’s puppy, even though I am sick! Thanks for the giveaway!

  5. Jen

    I make a very similar chicken soup, but have never added quinoa, I’m definitely going to try it best time! My little victory this morning is that I get to sleep in and stay in bed for a few extra hours! Love that!

  6. Tamar

    Hi, Lauren! I just subscribed to your site and love it. You’re so down home – easy going – good stuff – take your shoes awf kind of person. Somehow your having to do with Kroger seems to fit just right. This latest lemon/chicken/quinoa soup looks inviting – I’m looking forward to preparing it! Thanks!

  7. Karen

    5 stars
    Made it and everyone loved it. I did add baby spinach as well. Best part is only 5 points per serving for Weight Watchers and loaded with “power foods”!

  8. Bob

    5 stars
    very delicious. Didn’t have lemon so used (less) lime. Couldn’t find the tarragon in my mess of a spice cupboard, so used thyme. Nice complexity of flavors to complement the healthy vibe.

  9. Brandy

    My little victory for today was that I had a healthy lowfat pasta dish for lunch even though I am pregnant and had to come to work today while leaving the hubby and kids at home. Would have been easier to grab something to go, but bringing my lunch is much healthier!

  10. Maxine

    This sounds delicious and I will probably make it this week. We are in the process of moving from a very rural area in New Mexico to an area near Albuquerque which has the most wonderful Smiths grocery that is part of Krogers and it’s huge and amazing. So looking forward to shopping there.

  11. Sue Cullum

    Due to an illness, I am required to walk at least three times a week. This is my second walk. Even after my first walk, I was tired but felt I was starting something good for myself. I just have to say Lauren, the recipes, sharing your life with your kids and hubby with us on Facebook is uplifting. Thanks and keep it up!

  12. kelley {mountain mama cooks}

    I love this, Lauren! I’ve been craving chicken soup this week and you sold me on the lemon and quiona. Making it this weekend!!

  13. Liz Garner

    I’m keeping up with my daily calories using an app and will be going for a 13 mile bike ride. I think I’ll also make this delicious sounding soup!

  14. Andria Broom

    My little victory today was waking up early despite it being an off day to run errands and get everything finished early so I can enjoy the rest of the weekend with friends!

  15. Karen Brinson

    5 stars
    Who would have thought Quinoa and lemon would have brought chicken soup to a whole new level, Delicious and Refreshing at the same time. And it looks pretty to.

  16. Karen Brinson

    Who would have thought a little Quinoa and lemon would have brought chicken soup to a whole new level, Delicious and Refreshing at the same time.

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