Easy Lemon Chicken Soup

Lemon Chicken Soup

🍋 Lemon Chicken Soup — The Hug in a Bowl You’ll Crave All Year

Some soups warm your belly. This one warms your soul.

 

 

It was one of those days where everything felt… heavy. The laundry pile was giving me judgmental side-eye, the kids were bickering over who got the “good” blanket, and the weather outside was doing that weird Utah thing where it couldn’t decide between snow, rain, or sunshine.

I needed comfort. Not the “curl up with a blanket and binge-watch a show” kind (although, yes, that’s always tempting). I needed the kind of comfort that comes from the kitchen — the kind that fills the house with smells that make everyone wander in asking, “What’s cooking?”

And that’s when I remembered my grandma’s lemon chicken soup.

It’s the soup she made when someone was sick, when the weather was dreary, or when she just wanted to gather everyone around the table. It’s hearty without being heavy, bright without being overpowering, and somehow manages to taste like sunshine and love in the same spoonful.

So I pulled out my big Dutch oven, grabbed a whole chicken, and got to work. By the time the broth was simmering, the house smelled like home. By the time I ladled it into bowls, the kids had stopped bickering, Mike had set the table without me asking, and I felt like maybe — just maybe — everything was going to be okay.

We made this soup about a week ago and how I have been feeling this week, I think it’s time for a repeat! Of course, soup is the very best comfort food in the winter months. It’s so inviting and cozy, and since you use a whole chicken, it makes the most amazing homemade broth! It sounds time-consuming but it’s not! You throw the whole chicken in your stockpot and wait for the magic to happen!

 

Lemon Chicken Soup

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (3-4 pound) whole chicken
• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 2 carrots, halved
• 2 celery ribs, halved
• 4 to 5 cloves garlic, crushed
• salt and black pepper, to taste, be generous with your seasoning
• 2/3 cup long-grain white rice
• 11/2 cups diced carrots
• 11/2 cups diced celery
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• fresh parsley

Directions

1. Make the Broth

   • Place chicken, onion, halved carrots, halved celery, garlic, and 8 cups water in a large stockpot or Dutch oven.

   • Season with 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper.

   • Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until chicken is fork-tender, about 1 hour.

2. Shred the Chicken

   • Remove chicken from pot and shred, discarding skin and bones. Set aside.

   • Strain broth and discard solids.

3. Cook the Rice

   • Return broth to the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer.

   • Stir in rice; cover and cook for 10 minutes.

4. Add Veggies & Chicken

   • Stir in shredded chicken, diced carrots, and diced celery.

   • Cook, covered, until rice is tender, about 10 more minutes.

5. Brighten with Lemon

   • Stir in lemon juice; season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve & Enjoy

   • Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

🔢 Calorie Count & Nutritional Facts (Per Serving — approx. 1/8 of recipe)

💡 Note: These are approximate values and will vary depending on your exact ingredients.

 

🍳 Cooking Tips — From My Kitchen to Yours

• Don’t Rush the Broth: Letting the chicken simmer for the full hour gives you that rich, deep flavor.

• Rice Choice: Long-grain white rice holds up beautifully, but you can swap for orzo or even quinoa.

• Lemon Love: Add the lemon juice at the very end so it stays bright and fresh.

• Extra Creamy: Stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk for a richer texture.

• Make It Ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day — just add a little extra broth when reheating.

🎨 Recipe Variations — Because You’re the Boss of Your Kitchen

• Greek-Inspired: Add dill and a beaten egg whisked into the broth for an avgolemono-style soup.

• Veggie Boost: Toss in spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking.

• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the broth.

• Low-Carb: Swap rice for cauliflower rice and reduce cooking time.

• Herb Swap: Try thyme or rosemary instead of parsley for a different flavor profile.

👩‍👧 Kid Tips — Little Hands, Big Fun

• Mini Chefs: Let kids help wash the veggies or stir the pot (with supervision).

• Fun Shapes: Use small pasta shapes instead of rice for a playful twist.

• Taste Testers: Have them squeeze the lemon juice in at the end — they’ll love being part of the “finishing touch.”

🛒 Grocery Hacks — Save Time, Save Money

• Whole Chicken Wins: Buying a whole chicken is often cheaper than buying parts, and you get the bones for broth.

• Frozen Veggies: Keep diced carrots and celery in the freezer for quick soup-making.

• Lemon Juice Shortcut: Bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, but fresh is best for that zing.

• Bulk Rice: Buy rice in bulk — it’s cheaper and lasts forever in the pantry.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #SoupSquadChallenge

Alright, Lou Lou Girls family — it’s your turn!

Here’s how to join the #SoupSquadChallenge:

1. Make this Lemon Chicken Soup.

2. Put your own spin on it — change the grain, add extra veggies, or spice it up.

3. Snap a photo of your creation.

4. Post it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #SoupSquadChallenge and tag me.

💡 Extra Fun: Share who you made it for and what the occasion was. I’ll feature my favorite entries in an upcoming blog post!

 

 

Why This Soup is a Keeper

This Lemon Chicken Soup is more than just a recipe — it’s a mood-lifter, a comfort-giver, and a table-gatherer. It’s the kind of dish that makes you slow down, savor each bite, and maybe even go back for seconds (or thirds).

It’s also endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re making it for a sick day, a snowy day, or just a “need something cozy” day, it delivers every single time.

🏆 Conclusion — A Bowl of Sunshine

Here’s the thing about Lemon Chicken Soup — it’s not just food. It’s a hug in a bowl. It’s the smell that fills your kitchen and makes everyone wander in with hopeful eyes. It’s the way the lemon brightens the broth, the chicken melts in your mouth, and the rice makes it feel like a full meal.

It’s perfect for:

• Family dinners

• Meal prep for the week

• Bringing to a friend in need

• Cozy nights in

So go ahead — make it, share it, and watch it disappear faster than you can say “pass the ladle.”