High Protein Lemon Turmeric Chicken Soup (Printable Version)

A vibrant golden soup with tender chicken, fresh lemon, turmeric, and baby kale for a nourishing protein-packed meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Proteins

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

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

→ Broth & Liquids

07 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1.5 tsp ground turmeric
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
14 - 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional

→ Oils

15 - 1 tbsp olive oil

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken pieces to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
04 - Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
05 - Stir in baby kale, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until kale is wilted.
06 - Taste and adjust salt or seasonings as desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The turmeric and lemon combination creates this gorgeous golden broth that somehow tastes both comforting and refreshing at the same time.
  • Its packed with 36g of protein per serving but still feels light enough that you wont feel weighed down afterward.
02 -
  • Adding the turmeric too late or not giving it enough time to cook with oil can leave a slightly raw, bitter taste instead of that warm, earthy flavor.
  • The soup actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld, so dont hesitate to make it ahead.
03 -
  • If turmeric stains your countertop or cutting board, a paste of baking soda and water left for 10 minutes usually lifts it right out, a lesson I learned the hard way with my white marble.
  • Adding the lemon zest in two batches—half during cooking and half just before serving—creates layers of citrus notes that make people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
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