Spring Garden Chicken Soup (Printable Version)

A light, brothy soup bursting with fresh spring vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and aromatic herbs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
04 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas (6 oz)
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
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
13 - Juice of ½ lemon

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour chicken broth into the pot, 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 cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken to a plate and shred with two forks into bite-sized pieces.
06 - Add zucchini and peas to the soup and cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice. Season generously with salt and pepper.
08 - Remove bay leaf, ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The combination of tender chicken and bright spring vegetables feels like a hug in a bowl
  • Its endlessly adaptable based on what you have in your fridge
02 -
  • Adding the lemon juice at the end is the secret that transforms good soup into great soup
  • The chicken breasts will continue cooking slightly after you remove them from the broth, so do not overcook
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half for those nights when cooking feels impossible
  • Use a microplane to zest some lemon into the soup along with the juice for even more bright flavor
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