I make this lemon chicken soup when I want comfort that sits light and bright. The broth turns sunny and clean, the kind that wakes you up after one spoonful. When the steam hits my face, I think ok we did something good today. It is the bowl I reach for when I want calm food that still tastes like a small celebration. We build flavor with onion celery carrot and garlic. Boneless skinless chicken breast stays tender and shreds soft. Fresh lemon brings a gentle snap. The texture feels cozy without weight and it fits days when I keep an eye on simple goals like 100 Calorie Meals and Calorie Controlled Meals. It works for Calorie Deficit Meals and for busy nights when the Instant Pot earns its spot on the counter. I love how flexible this soup stays. Serve it plain or stir in a small scoop of cooked orzo. Swap in rice or zucchini noodles if you like. If you want a slow day option, think Broccoli Soup Crockpot vibes and let it simmer low. For lean protein ideas it joins my list of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes. Out of all my Low Calorie Soup Recipes this one gets the most happy repeats at our table.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Lemon Chicken Soup
- 4) How to Make Lemon Chicken Soup
- 5) Tips for Making Lemon Chicken Soup
- 6) Making Lemon Chicken Soup Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Lemon Chicken Soup
- 8) Try these Soup next!
- 9) Lemon Chicken Soup
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
Camila here from Camila Cooks at https://www.camilacooks.com. This bright bowl brings a clean broth and tender chicken. Lemon lifts each sip. We keep the method simple and the texture light. The Instant Pot saves time and keeps flavor high. Low Calorie Soup Recipes fit real weeknights and real appetites.
The ingredients sit humble. Onion carrot celery garlic. Broth bay leaves herbs. Boneless skinless chicken breast shreds soft. Fresh lemon finishes with a friendly snap. You get comfort that does not weigh you down.
The plan works for busy cooks and quiet days. You can add orzo or skip it. You can swap in rice. You can keep it plain. The bowl stays steady and kind. The result tastes bright and warm.
2) Easy Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe
I reach for this when I want care without fuss. Low Calorie Soup Recipes guide my choices and I love how this one lands. Low Calorie Soup Recipes help me track goals yet keep joy on the spoon. The first sip wakes me up and calms me down at the same time.
We start with a quick saute that builds base flavor. We add broth and chicken. We lock the lid. We let pressure do the work. The house smells clean and bright. The soup looks sunny in the bowl.
I serve it with lemon wedges and cracked pepper. My family builds their own bowls. Some add orzo. Some add extra lemon. No one argues with a soup that feels light and tastes bold. It fits 100 Calorie Meals and it still feels generous.
3) Ingredients for Lemon Chicken Soup
Olive oil A small splash coats the pot and helps the vegetables soften. The oil gives a little shine and keeps the garlic from catching.
Onion I chop it fine so it melts into the broth. The soup tastes round and mellow when the onion cooks soft and sweet.
Carrots Diced pieces bring color and gentle sweetness. They hold shape and add bite without taking over the bowl.
Celery Thin slices add a clean note. The broth picks up that fresh edge and feels balanced.
Garlic Minced cloves wake up the base. The scent rises fast and tells you dinner moves in the right direction.
Bay leaves Two leaves lend depth. Remove them before serving so the flavor stays clear.
Dried parsley and thyme A pinch of each brings a gentle herb line. They support the lemon and do not steal the scene.
Black pepper and salt Season as you cook and then taste again before you ladle. Small adjustments make a big difference.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts Lean pieces cook fast and shred soft. They fit Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes and keep the bowl light.
Low sodium chicken broth A clean broth gives you room to season to taste. The lemon needs space to shine and the lower salt helps.
Fresh lemon juice The last squeeze brings snap and brightness. Add a little then taste then add more.
Orzo Optional add in. I cook it on the side so the broth stays clear and the pasta stays firm.
4) How to Make Lemon Chicken Soup
Step one Set the Instant Pot to Saute. Add oil. Cook onion carrot celery and garlic until soft. Stir and keep things moving so nothing sticks.
Step two Add dried herbs bay leaves salt and pepper. Nestle in the chicken. Pour in the broth. The pot should look full but not crowded.
Step three Lock the lid. Set Pressure Cook for twelve minutes. The pot will need a few minutes to come to pressure. Use that time to set the table.
Step four Quick release. Lift out the chicken and bay leaves. Shred the chicken with two forks. The meat should fall apart with little effort.
Step five If using orzo cook it in a separate pot. This keeps the soup from turning cloudy and keeps the texture pleasant.
Step six Return the chicken to the pot. Add lemon juice. Taste. Add more salt or lemon until the flavor feels bright and balanced. Serve hot.
5) Tips for Making Lemon Chicken Soup
Salt in stages makes flavor steady. Taste before pressure and taste after. A small pinch can turn a flat sip into a good one. Keep the broth clear by cooking orzo on the side. This small move keeps the soup looking fresh on day two.
Use thighs when you want extra richness. The broth turns silkier. For a lighter lane stick with breasts and you still get tender bites. Add a parmesan rind if you have one then remove it. It brings a warm savor that plays well with lemon.
For macro tracking this fits Calorie Controlled Meals and Calorie Deficit Meals. The method respects Low Calorie Soup Recipes goals without dull flavor. Fresh herbs at the end wake things up. A handful of chopped parsley works well.
6) Making Lemon Chicken Soup Ahead of Time
I often cook this in the morning and feel glad at dinner. The broth sits in the fridge and tastes even brighter later. Keep the orzo separate so the broth stays generous. Reheat the soup and then spoon in the pasta.
For packed lunches divide into jars. Add lemon wedges on top so people can squeeze fresh at the desk. The texture holds well and the scent lifts the mood. This is where low calorie soups shine on a busy day.
For slow days try a Broccoli Soup Crockpot session and then switch to this one for a quick win. Both fit a calm cooking style. Both leave the kitchen tidy. The plan keeps energy open for the rest of life.
7) Storing Leftover Lemon Chicken Soup
Cool the soup before storing. Place it in airtight containers. Leave space at the top if you plan to freeze. The broth freezes well and thaws clean.
In the fridge the soup keeps for four days. Reheat on the stove over gentle heat. Add a splash of broth or water if it looks tight. Finish with fresh lemon to bring the snap back.
For a second meal add spinach or zucchini noodles during reheat. The bowl feels new with little effort. This is the spirit of low calorie soup ideas that still taste like home.
8) Try these Soup next!
9) Lemon Chicken Soup
Low Calorie Soup Recipes Lemony Instant Pot Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic about 3 cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta optional cooked separately
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute for 5 minutes then add oil and cook onion celery carrot and garlic until soft.
- Stir in pepper parsley thyme salt and bay leaves. Nestle in the chicken and pour in the broth.
- Seal and cook on Pressure Cook for 12 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Quick release. Lift out the chicken and bay leaves. Shred the chicken with two forks.
- If using pasta, cook it in a separate pot to keep the soup light and the noodles firm.
- Stir the shredded chicken back into the pot with the lemon juice. Taste and add salt or more lemon as you like.
10) Nutrition
One and one half cups gives you about two hundred seventy calories. You get solid protein from the chicken and steady carbs if you add orzo. The broth stays light in fat. Sodium stays modest when you pick low sodium broth. This fits 100 Calorie Meals planning when you keep portions small. It also checks the box for Instant Pot lemon chicken soup fans who chase quick yet fresh bowls. For variety drop in herbs like dill or basil and keep the numbers kind.
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