Description
Discover how to make a hearty and nutritious Chicken Lentil Soup that is perfect for cozy nights in. Follow our easy recipe for a delicious meal!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil (60 ml)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 medium stalks celery, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) tomato paste
- 12 cups (2880 ml) (2.8 liters) low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 2 cups (480 ml) French dried lentils
- 1 pound (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Grated cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Warm up the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Introduce the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic into the pot.
- Generously sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the vegetables.
- Stir occasionally, cooking until the vegetables become tender, roughly 10 minutes.
- Incorporate the tomato paste, mixing thoroughly to cover the vegetables.
- Continue cooking until the tomato paste becomes darker and slightly adheres to the pot’s base, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth or water and add the lentils, then bring the mixture to a boil.
- Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and place the chicken into the pot.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1 hour, occasionally checking to ensure the soup doesn’t become too bubbly.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and set them aside to cool.
- In stages, blend approximately half of the lentil soup until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
- Mix the blended soup back into the pot.
- Use two forks to shred the cooled chicken and return it to the pot.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve the soup with a sprinkle of grated cheese on top if you wish.
Notes
- Consider using homemade chicken broth instead of water to enhance the soup’s flavor.
- Substitute chicken thighs with tofu or plant-based protein for a vegetarian option.
- Experiment with different lentil varieties to add variety to the soup’s texture and taste.
