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Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup

Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup

Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup is a vibrant, nutritious one-pot meal combining tender chicken, creamy chickpeas, and zesty lemon for a quick, refreshing, and satisfying dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, this soup balances protein, fiber, and bright citrus flavors perfect for busy weeknights or a wholesome homemade meal.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 15-oz can cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Zest and juice of 2 fresh lemons

Liquids

  • 4 cups chicken broth or stock
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Spices & Herbs

  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and garlic, zest and juice the lemons, and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Preparing all ingredients beforehand ensures smooth and quick cooking.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic and cook them for 3-4 minutes until they become soft and fragrant, building a flavorful base for the soup.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
  4. Add Chickpeas and Broth: Stir in the drained chickpeas and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking and flavors to meld.
  5. Add Lemon and Fresh Herbs: Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice to brighten the soup. Just before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for freshness and color.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemons for the best bright and zesty flavor; avoid bottled lemon juice.
  • Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it tender and moist.
  • Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste to avoid overpowering the soup.
  • Rinse and drain canned chickpeas well to remove excess sodium and improve texture.
  • Simmer the soup gently after adding broth to blend flavors without toughening the chicken or chickpeas.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Soups
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, chickpea soup, quick chicken soup, healthy chicken soup, one pot soup, gluten free soup, Mediterranean soup