Description
Lemon Chicken Soup with Angel Hair Pasta is a bright, refreshing, and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, zesty lemon, and delicate angel hair pasta in a flavorful broth. Ready in under 30 minutes, this light yet satisfying soup is perfect for quick lunches or soothing dinners and can be easily customized to suit various tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 ounces angel hair pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Zest and juice the lemons, keeping both ready to add at different stages for maximum citrus flavor.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the diced chicken and sauté until just cooked through and lightly golden.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook the Angel Hair Pasta: Add the angel hair pasta directly to the simmering broth. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until tender but still firm, being careful not to overcook.
- Stir in Lemon and Season: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and black pepper to taste to keep the lemon flavor bright and fresh.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best citrus flavor.
- Do not overcook the angel hair pasta to avoid mushiness.
- Simmer the soup gently to prevent drying out the chicken and to develop flavors.
- Cut chicken uniformly for even cooking.
- Adjust lemon juice gradually and taste to achieve the perfect balance of tang.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg