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High-Protein Chicken Quinoa Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 127 reviews

This High-Protein Chicken Quinoa Soup is a hearty and nutritious meal perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner. Packed with lean chicken, protein-rich quinoa, and vibrant vegetables, it’s a comforting and healthy option that’s easy to prepare. The soup features tender chicken breast, fresh spinach, and a hint of lemon for brightness, all simmered in a flavorful chicken broth infused with thyme and aromatic garlic and onions.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 5 cups chicken broth

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
  • ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, and diced carrot, then sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in dried thyme, salt, and pepper to evenly distribute the seasoning.
  2. Add Broth, Chicken, and Quinoa: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the diced chicken breast and rinsed quinoa to the pot. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  3. Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15-18 minutes, or until the quinoa is fully cooked and the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  4. Add Spinach and Finish: Stir in the roughly chopped spinach and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and integrates into the soup.
  5. Add Lemon Juice and Serve: Finish the soup by stirring in the juice of half a lemon for a fresh, bright flavor. Serve the soup warm for the best experience.

Notes

  • Rinsing quinoa before cooking removes its natural coating, called saponin, which can taste bitter or soapy.
  • You can substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green flavor.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content if desired.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding a bay leaf during simmering and removing it before serving.

Keywords: chicken quinoa soup, high protein soup, healthy chicken soup, gluten free soup, nutritious chicken soup, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/high-protein-chicken-quinoa-soup-recipe/