Spring Garden Chicken Soup (Printable Version)

Light brothy soup with tender chicken and fresh spring vegetables in aromatic broth

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 14 ounces)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
04 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Broth & Aromatics

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped plus extra for garnish
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
13 - Juice of ½ lemon (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in chicken broth, add bay leaf and thyme, and bring to a gentle boil.
04 - Add chicken breasts. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken to a plate and shred using two forks.
06 - Add zucchini and peas to the soup. Cook for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are just tender.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in parsley, lemon juice if using, and season generously with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf before serving.
08 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with extra parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The broth becomes incredibly flavorful from poaching the chicken right in the soup
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • You can swap in whatever vegetables look best at the market
02 -
  • The chicken breasts will release some fat into the broth, which you can skim off if you prefer a lighter soup
  • If the broth reduces too much while cooking, add hot water to reach your desired consistency
03 -
  • Start with cold tap water when rinsing vegetables to help them stay crisp
  • Add the lemon juice right at the end to preserve its bright acidity
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