Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup 🍋🍗🥣
Introduction
When you crave a bowl of comfort that’s light, zesty, and deeply nourishing, Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup stands out as an unbeatable choice. This soup features a vibrant, citrusy broth, tender chicken, and wholesome vegetables—perfect for warming up on chilly evenings or serving at gatherings. Its Mediterranean flavors delight the palate, while its simplicity and healthy ingredients make it a favorite for home cooks.
Why You’ll Love Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup
This recipe pairs the refreshing tang of fresh lemon juice with savory chicken and aromatic herbs for a soup that’s as bright and energizing as it is comforting. The combination of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and subtle notes of dill and parsley make it a crowd-pleaser, ideal for both weeknight family meals and special occasions. Plus, it’s easy to customize and serve year-round.
Classic Soup, Lively Flavors
What makes Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup unique is its signature finish: a generous squeeze of lemon stirred in just before serving, which lifts and brightens the entire dish. Traditional flavors like onion, celery, and garlic form a gentle base, while olive oil adds depth and richness. For even more heartiness, many like to add a handful of cooked rice or orzo pasta, but the recipe shines with or without extras.
Tips for the Best Lemon Chicken Soup
– Use bone-in, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for a richer, more flavorful stock.
– Allow the soup to gently simmer; this infuses the broth while keeping the chicken tender.
– Always add lemon juice at the end to maintain its fresh aroma and zippy flavor.
– Stir in your favorite fresh herbs—parsley and dill are classic choices with Mediterranean roots.
Serving Suggestions for Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup
This soup is beautiful served with artisan bread or warm pita on the side. For a festive meal, pair it with a crisp Greek salad, a platter of roasted vegetables, or a simple cucumber-yogurt dip. Garnish each bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and extra herbs to intensify the flavors and visual appeal.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
Serves 4–6. Each serving (without rice or orzo) contains approximately 230 calories, 18g protein, 5g carbohydrate, and 13g fat—making it a balanced, satisfying meal that fits into a healthy Mediterranean diet.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically create a streamlined shopping list with ingredients sorted by grocery store section. It’s perfect for efficient meal planning and ensures you never miss an ingredient.

Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery; cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, carrots, and bay leaf. If using raw chicken, place breasts or thighs into the pot now. Add oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through (if starting with raw chicken).
- Remove the chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the pot (skip this step if using pre-cooked shredded chicken—just add it in at this stage and simmer until heated through).
- Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. If using rice or orzo, add now and heat until warmed through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf and serve hot with lemon slices and a drizzle of olive oil.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup is excellent for weekly meal prep—make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy fresh, healthy meals all week. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your week, automatically generate smart ingredient lists, and take the stress out of grocery shopping.
Planning Benefits:
– Effortlessly sums ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
– Sorts your shopping list by grocery section for efficiency
– Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten staples
– Helps reduce food waste and keeps meal planning organized
Pro tip: Planning multiple meals? Schedule your week’s recipes and see exactly how your ingredients overlap—making it easy to buy just what you need.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Enjoy the fresh, zesty flavors of the Mediterranean all year round with this easy Lemon Chicken Soup—your weeknight dinners just got a lot brighter!





