Chicken Lentil Soup
Looking for a filling and flavorful chicken lentil soup recipe? This delicious soup is packed full of veggies, spices and a great protein boost from chicken and lentils.
- Author: Davida Lederle
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Gluten Free
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (roughly 5-6)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large sweet yellow onion, sliced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed and drained
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 bunch kale or chard, destemmed and chopped
- juice, 1/2 lemon
- salt and pepper, to taste
- optional: yogurt + parsley for serving
- Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add chicken breasts to pot and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown on both sides for approx 3-5 minutes total. No need to cook all the way through, we are just browning. Remove chicken from pot and set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil to pot and top with carrots and onion. Sauté until onions become translucent (about 5 minutes). Add in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add turmeric and cumin to pot and stir into veggie mixture. Top with lentils and desired salt and pepper.
- Add chicken (and any juices on plate/bowl) back to pot and top with stock or water.
- Bring soup to a boil and then lower to a simmer, uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
- Using tongs remove chicken from pot and place on a cutting board. Cut into bite-sized pieces or shred using two forks. Add back into soup.
- Stir in kale or chard and squeeze in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper until desired flavors reached.
- Optional: Serve with a dollop of yogurt and some chopped parsley.
- Will keep in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Keywords: Chicken lentil soup, lentil soup, turmeric lentil soup, lentil chicken soup