Description
A hearty and flavorful Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup that combines tender chicken, nutritious lentils, and a medley of vegetables, seasoned with warm Middle Eastern spices. This comforting soup is perfect for a wholesome meal, offering a balance of protein, fiber, and vibrant flavors accented with fresh lemon juice and herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 pound chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
- Sauté vegetables: Stir in the diced carrots, celery, and potato. Sauté the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
- Add spices and lentils: Add the rinsed lentils, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, and ground cinnamon to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Add broth and cook: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Add chicken and simmer: Add the cut chicken pieces to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Adjust seasoning: After cooking, adjust the seasoning if necessary and stir in the lemon juice for added brightness.
- Serve: Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro on top.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth and omit chicken for a vegetarian version; consider adding chickpeas for protein.
- Adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste preference.
- For a thicker soup, mash some of the lentils and vegetables before serving.
- Lemon juice added at the end brightens the flavors and adds a fresh tang.
- This soup stores well and tastes even better the next day.
