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Chicken Lentil Soup (Printable Version)

Wholesome soup with chicken, lentils, and colorful vegetables for a cozy, satisfying bowl.

# Ingredients:

→ Soup Base

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
08 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
09 - 1 cup dried green or brown lentils
10 - 6 cups chicken broth
11 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped
15 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
03 - Add lentils, chicken broth, shredded chicken, and bay leaf. Stir well and bring to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.
05 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add extra broth or water if needed to adjust consistency.
06 - Discard bay leaf. Serve hot, topped with fresh dill or parsley. Add lemon wedges on the side if desired.

# Notes:

01 - Sauté vegetables over medium heat to build depth of flavor without burning.
02 - If using canned lentils, add during the last 10–15 minutes of simmering to avoid overcooking.
03 - Leftover soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
04 - Spinach, kale, or diced potatoes may be added during simmering for additional nutrients.