Spring Garden Chicken Soup (Printable)

A light, brothy soup bursting with fresh spring vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and aromatic herbs.

# 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

→ Optional

13 - Juice of ½ lemon

# How-To:

01 - Heat 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, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through.
05 - Remove chicken to a plate and shred using two forks.
06 - Add zucchini and peas to the soup, cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice if desired. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf.
08 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the kind of soup that makes you feel nourished without that heavy post-meal slump that usually follows richer soups
  • The vegetables stay bright and tender-crisp, not mushy, because everything is added at just the right moment
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of removing the chicken to shred it—leaving it in the pot while cooking the vegetables makes it dry and stringy
  • The vegetables will continue cooking in the hot soup even after you turn off the heat so undercook them slightly
03 -
  • Start with cold broth when poaching the chicken—it helps the meat cook more evenly and stay tender
  • If you have time make the broth a day ahead and chill it so you can skim off any fat for a cleaner tasting soup
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