Spring Garden Chicken Soup (Printable version)

A light, brothy soup featuring tender shredded chicken, fresh spring vegetables, and aromatic herbs for a comforting meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Protein

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

→ 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
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
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, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced 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 to the pot. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
05 - Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and shred using two forks.
06 - Add zucchini and peas to the soup and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables reach desired tenderness.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice if using. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Remove bay leaf, ladle into bowls, garnish with additional fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The broth is light enough for spring but still feels like a proper hug in a bowl
  • Perfect for using up whatever vegetables are looking sad in your crisper drawer
02 -
  • The chicken will continue cooking slightly after you remove it from the broth, so take it out when it's just done
  • Resist the urge to boil the soup vigorously after adding the zucchini or it will fall apart
  • Taste your broth before salting heavily since different brands vary wildly in sodium content
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables to roughly the same size so they cook evenly and look uniform in the bowl
  • Shred the chicken while it's still warm, it comes apart much more easily
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