High Protein Lemon Turmeric Chicken (Print)

Vibrant chicken soup with zesty lemon, golden turmeric, and baby kale. A protein-rich, comforting meal ready in under an hour.

# Components:

→ Proteins

01 - 1.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3.5 oz baby kale
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Broth & Liquids

07 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - Juice and zest of 1 large lemon

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1½ tsp ground turmeric
10 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1 tsp sea salt or to taste
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

→ Oils

14 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Garnish

15 - Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
16 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, turmeric, thyme, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts or thighs and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20–25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
04 - Remove the chicken from the pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
05 - Stir in baby kale and simmer for 2–3 minutes until wilted.
06 - Add lemon juice and zest. Season with salt to taste. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with parsley or dill and lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of turmeric and lemon creates this sunny golden broth that somehow tastes like sunshine even on the gloomiest days
  • Each bowl packs 40 grams of protein but still feels light and nourishing instead of heavy like some cream-based soups can be
  • Everything simmers in one pot and comes together in under an hour, leaving you with minimal cleanup but maximum comfort
02 -
  • Add the lemon at the very end because adding it earlier can make the kale taste somewhat metallic and the lemon flavor can become muted
  • Do not skip the turmeric blooming step because that minute of cooking in oil unlocks the flavor and makes it more bioavailable
  • The soup keeps beautifully for days but hold off on the kale until reheating so it stays vibrant green instead of sad and brown
03 -
  • Use a microplane or fine grater for the lemon zest because it releases more of those aromatic oils than larger graters
  • Taste your broth before adding salt because different brands have wildly different sodium levels
  • If you want it creamy, swirl in some coconut milk at the very end and it creates this gorgeous golden yellow color that is stunning
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