Zesty Lemon Rosemary Chicken Soup Recipe To Warm Your Soul

Weeknight dinners call for this lemon rosemary chicken soup that brings comfort and zest to the table.

Fragrant herbs dance through a rich, golden broth, promising warmth in every spoonful.

The tender chicken melts effortlessly between layers of vegetables and aromatics.

Each ingredient tells a story of simple, nourishing goodness.

Mediterranean flavors merge seamlessly, creating a soul-satisfying meal that feels like a culinary embrace.

The soup’s bright notes and hearty texture make it a perfect companion for chilly evenings.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this wholesome, healing recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients That Make This Lemon Rosemary Soup Shine

• Onion: Builds foundational flavor with sweet, savory undertones perfect for creating depth in soup.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant orange color while providing essential nutrients.
• Celery: Contributes subtle peppery notes and crisp texture to enhance overall soup profile.
• Garlic: Introduces robust, pungent flavor that elevates the entire dish's taste complexity.

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides hearty texture and satisfying meal component.
• White Beans: Creamy legume that adds extra protein, thickness, and nutritional value to soup.

• Rosemary: Fragrant herb with woody, pine-like essence that infuses Mediterranean warmth.
• Italian Seasoning: Balanced herb blend that introduces multiple complementary flavor dimensions.
• Kale or Spinach: Nutrient-dense greens offering vibrant color and fresh, earthy undertones.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy element that adds refreshing acidity and balances rich flavors.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for harmonizing and intensifying overall taste profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional garnish that introduces salty, umami complexity when sprinkled on top.

Tools That Help You Get the Most Out of Fresh Flavors

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering soup, provides ample space for all ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions, carrots, celery, and garlic safely.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Help accurately add herbs and seasoning.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving soup into individual bowls evenly.
• Grater: Optional tool for adding fresh Parmesan cheese as a topping.

Follow These Cooking Cues for a Zesty, Herb-Laced Soup

• Sizzle Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften, releasing their rich flavors for about 5-6 minutes.

• Infuse with Fragrant Herbs

Sprinkle minced garlic, fresh rosemary, and Italian seasoning into the pot. Stir gently and let the herbs awaken, filling your kitchen with an incredible aroma for about a minute.

• Build the Soup's Foundation

Pour in broth, add tender beans and cooked chicken. Let everything mingle and simmer, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

• Embrace Green Goodness

Fold in kale or spinach, allowing the greens to gently wilt and become tender. Let the soup bubble softly for 10-15 minutes.

• Final Flavor Flourish

Pull out rosemary sprigs if used. Brighten the soup with a splash of fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper until the taste sings.

• Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Sprinkle Parmesan on top or serve alongside crusty bread for a comforting meal that warms the soul.

Clever Ways to Add Depth or Adjust the Flavor Profile

• Crush fresh rosemary between your fingers before adding to release more aromatic oils and deepen the herb's flavor profile.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so prepare it in advance and let the flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator for enhanced taste.
• Replace chicken with white beans, tofu, or rotisserie chicken for quick protein variations that suit different dietary preferences.
• Ensure you use gluten-free broth and skip the Parmesan cheese to make this recipe completely gluten-free without compromising taste.
• Reduce beans and increase green leafy vegetables like kale or spinach to create a lower-carbohydrate version of the soup that's still packed with nutrients.

When and How to Serve This Bright, Comforting Soup

• Cozy Bread Companion: Slice up a crusty sourdough or rustic Italian bread to dunk into the warm, zesty soup. The bread soaks up the flavorful broth and adds a delightful texture contrast.
• Protein Power-Up: Sprinkle crispy shredded rotisserie chicken or crisp bacon bits on top for extra protein and a crunchy element that elevates the soup's overall taste profile.
• Bright Herb Burst: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, chives, or additional rosemary to add a vibrant green color and boost the herbal notes. These fresh herbs will bring a light, fresh finish to each spoonful.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Offer a small side of freshly grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese. Guests can sprinkle these tangy cheeses directly into their soup for a creamy, rich dimension.

Keep It Fresh, Keep It Ready: Tips for Leftovers & Prep

• Prepare a double batch of soup, storing extra portions in airtight containers for quick meals during busy weeks. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months, ensuring convenient future dining.
• Cool soup completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth. Transfer to shallow containers to help rapid cooling and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Separate liquid and solid ingredients when freezing. Store broth and chicken separately to prevent soggy textures. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain soup's delicate consistency.
• Keep fresh rosemary and lemon separately from prepared soup. Add these vibrant ingredients just before serving to maintain maximum flavor intensity and prevent herb wilting or citrus bitterness.

Hearty Lemon Rosemary Chicken Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting lemon rosemary chicken soup brings Mediterranean warmth to winter tables with its fragrant herbs and zesty citrus notes. Fresh ingredients merge seamlessly, creating a nourishing bowl that whisks you straight to sunny kitchen memories.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
• 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 lemons (juice)
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini or navy beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: grated Parmesan, extra rosemary, or crusty bread

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Vegetable Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until they transform into a tender, aromatic base, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a flavor-rich canvas.
2. Herb Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, fragrant rosemary, and Italian seasoning, allowing their essence to bloom and permeate the vegetable mixture, developing a robust aromatic profile.
3. Liquid Harmony: Incorporate chicken, beans, and broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. This stage allows the ingredients to meld and exchange their distinctive flavors, creating a cohesive and nurturing soup.
4. Green Enhancement: Add kale or spinach to the simmering liquid, letting the greens soften and integrate seamlessly while contributing nutritional depth and vibrant color to the soup.
5. Bright Finishing: Extract rosemary sprigs, brighten the soup with fresh lemon juice, and calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced and invigorating flavor profile.
6. Presentation: Ladle the soup into serving bowls, offering optional Parmesan garnish or accompanying crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal experience.

Notes

• Cook onions, carrots, and celery slowly to develop deep, rich flavors without burning, ensuring a sweeter and more nuanced base for the soup.
• Add rosemary and garlic at the right moment to release their essential oils without scorching, creating an aromatic foundation that doesn’t overwhelm the dish.
• Add kale or spinach towards the end of cooking to maintain vibrant color, texture, and maximum nutritional value, avoiding wilted or mushy greens.
• Stir in lemon juice just before serving to preserve its fresh, zesty flavor and prevent the acid from becoming flat or bitter during prolonged cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg