Easy Chicken Soup with Greens

4.04 stars average

Loaded with fresh veggies and plenty of lean protein, this is the perfect meal-in-a-bowl chicken soup that will warm the belly and soul.

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Jump To Recipe

Loaded with fresh veggies and plenty of lean protein, this is the perfect meal-in-a-bowl chicken soup that will warm the belly and soul.

Garnishing easy chicken soup with greens.

Have you ever tasted a dish that feels like a hug? My easy chicken soup with greens is literally a warm bowl of comfort. Whether you’re coming down with a cold or looking to cheer up a friend, this soup always seems to do the trick. Loaded with nutrients and plenty of lean protein, soups are one of my favorite meals-in-a-bowl. One of the reasons I make soups regularly is because they are perfect for using up any leftover produce I have sitting in the fridge. This particular chicken soup is a wink and a nudge to my Syrian heritage. Made with cinnamon, lemon, garlic and chickpeas, this chicken soup is naturally gluten-free because there are no noodles!

Ingredients

Onion: Yellow or white onions add mild flavor that caramelizes well with the other vegetables.
Carrots: Slightly sweet and crunchy, allowing them to cook without getting too soggy or mushy.
Celery: Celery is chalk full of nutrients, and are great at soaking up the flavors of the ingredients around it as it cooks!
Garlic: Nutty, pungent, and aromatic flavor that sweetens as it cooks.
Cinnamon: Inspired by my Lebanese roots, cinnamon adds a bit of warmth to the soups flavor.
Chicken broth: Makes for a flavorful base for the soup.
Parsley: A mildly peppery and earthy tasting herb, fresh parsley is a great source of vitamin C.
Chicken breasts: Affordable and accessible, chicken is a great lean source of protein.
Spinach: Full of iron, potassium, and vitamin C, the somewhat bitter taste of spinach disappears as the leaves cook!
Chickpeas: Instead of noodles, I like to add chickpeas to my soup for a change in texture, but boost of more protein and nutrients.
Lemon: Lemon juice adds a bright, fresh flavor to the soups broth.

How to Make Easy Chicken Soup with Greens

Making this Chicken Soup with Greens is very easy. To start, begin chopping your mirepoix of celery, onions, and carrots.

Then get your garlic ready by using a microplane to grate it.

Then in the bottom of a large soup pot, sauté the vegetables over medium heat until they start to soften.

Next add the garlic, cinnamon, and some kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Stir and continue to cook until garlic is aromatic.

Stir in the chicken broth and the parsley sprigs and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the whole chicken breasts and cook at a low boil for about 10 minutes.

When chicken is cooked through, take breasts out and cut into cubes or shred, whichever you prefer. Then add back to the pot.

Right towards the end, add the chickpeas, spinach, and lemon juice and cook until spinach is wilted and bright green.

Take out any large springs of parsley, add a bit more freshly chopped parsley, serve and enjoy your Chicken Soup with Greens!

Make It Your Own

Add a grain. You could easily add some noodles or rice to this soup, just add a bit more chicken broth!
Use more veggies. If you have any extra veggies in the fridge, toss them in! Chopped red peppers, zucchini, or kale would all taste great as well!
Swap the chickpeas. You could use white beans or black beans instead of the chickpeas for a similar texture and taste.

Frequently asked questions

How do you keep cooked greens green?

Don’t overcook them! It’s best to add greens to soups and other dishes towards the end, so they cook just long enough to wilt or brighten, and then take them off of the heat.

How far in advance can I make this soup?

This soup will taste even better as it sits so I often make it a day or two before we plan to enjoy it. This soup will last up to 5 days stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

What’s the best way to freeze chicken soup?

To freeze chicken soup, bring the temperature down as quickly as possible by cooling it in an ice bath. Next, place soup in freezer safe, resealable plastic bags and seal tightly, removing all excess air. Freeze the bag flat so that it takes up less space in the freezer.

more Easy Soup Recipes

Eat It, Like It, Share it!

Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

Liz eating Easy chicken soup with greens.

It’s good to think of all of my recipes as more of a guideline than a rule book. So take my Easy Chicken Soup with Greens and change things up! Just be sure to make extra, I’m sure someone you know could use a little extra comforting.

Your spoon is waiting.