This easy lemon chicken quinoa soup is packed with fresh spinach leaves and has a bright, bold flavor. Use leftover or rotisserie chicken in this healthy soup for a quick shortcut!
This may be the soup equivalent of spa water. You know, that luxe, fruit-infused water that makes you feel like a healthy superstar, even if all you're doing is just drinking a glass of water?
It checks all the boxes when you're looking for a substantial yet lighter meal, and bonus: when you have leftover cooked chicken you'd like to use up.
By my count this is the third chicken soup recipe on here, with all three bringing very different flavors to the table. And none being classic chicken noodle soup - ha!
My easy chicken tortilla soup is on the lighter end of the spectrum with the nutritious addition of brown rice, and it calls for cooked chicken for a dinnertime shortcut.
Then we have creamy chicken and rice soup, which has my favorite, very unexpected blend of two pantry staple spices that totally makes it. I use a roux here to bring the creaminess which takes it out of the 'healthy soup' running, but oh man, what comfort food this is.
And now this soup. Its bold citrus flavor pairs up nicely with some of the traditional elements of chicken soup (broth-based, chicken, carrots, celery), with a hefty addition of spinach and quinoa (instead of rice or noodles).
Fresh ingredients
An easy chicken broth base is brightened up with fresh lemon juice and a mix of vegetables, including celery, onion, carrots, and fresh spinach leaves.
We also have a little garlic added to the sautéing vegetables near the end of their cook time (because I'm hard-pressed not to add garlic to savory dishes).
Next we have a mix of chicken broth and water, dry spices, a bay leaf, and the quinoa. The quinoa cooks right in the soup, so there's no need to dirty up a separate dish. Of course, if you happen to have leftover cooked quinoa on hand, you can instead add it in towards the end.
Once everything is brought to a simmer, the quinoa will take around ten to twelve minutes to cook. Cooking quinoa in broth is one of my favorite ways to give it an extra oomph flavor-wise in general, and that same trick works here as it fluffs up in the soup.
This quinoa soup may be a little thick at this point, so you can add extra broth and/or water if you like.
Now's the time to add cooked chicken and the spinach. Let everything simmer as the chicken warms up and the spinach wilts.
While you can technically stop there and have yourself a nice chicken quinoa soup, I *highly* suggest stirring in some fresh lemon juice. I usually use about two big lemons or lemon medium sized ones. It adds such an amazing flavor here that makes this soup bright and spring-y.
One other highly recommended tip for serving: grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese. We didn't eat soup without a heavy dusting of it growing up, and that remains true today.
Recipe notes
- Using the meat from a rotisserie chicken is my usual move here, but any kind of cooked or grilled chicken works just fine.
- Kale can be used instead of spinach, though you'll have to add it sooner into the cook time as it needs more time to tenderize.
Lemon Chicken Quinoa Soup with Spinach
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups water, plus 1-2 cups additional if needed
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups packed baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken
- Juice of 2-3 lemons or to taste
- Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Let cook for 4-5 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften, stirring a few times. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add dry quinoa and stir. Let quinoa toast for 1-2 minutes, then add chicken broth, 3 cups of water, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and bay leaf and stir to combine.
- Bring soup to a simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the quinoa is fully cooked. You should notice the quinoa germ ring (that little squiggle) has separated from the kernel. Add additional water and/broth, up to 2 cups, if soup has thickened too much.
- Add cooked chicken and spinach and stir. Simmer for several minutes until the spinach leaves have wilted and chicken is warm. Remove bay leaf and stir in lemon juice to taste. Add additional salt/pepper as needed. Highly recommended: serve with a heavy sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition DisclaimerSoup recipe adapted from Food Network.
New pictures added June 2020 with just a slight zhush to the recipe (added celery and bay leaf).
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Lizzette Darakorn says
Can't wait to make the soup. I would like to make it in the crockpot do I still need 3 cups of water?
Alyssa says
Hi Lizzette, I'm sorry for the delay in my reply! I would just stick with the 4 cups of chicken broth to start. You can always add some water at the end before serving if it needs a little extra liquid. Also if prepping in the crockpot, if you'd plan to cook for a few hours, you can also use chicken breasts and shred before serving (versus adding already cooked shredded chicken at the beginning). For my crockpot soups, chicken breasts are fully cooked and shreddable after about 4 hours on high heat. I hope that helps - let me know if you end up making it this way! 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
This looks soooo good! I want to curl up with a blanket, a book and a bowl of this soup! Love the idea of adding lemon to chicken soup... I bet that gives it such great flavor!!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I love soup so much I can eat it any time. Love the chicken and quinoa in a soup with spinach. Delish!
Consuelo | Honey & Figs says
Aw, don't sweat the small things girl! I'm sure you're doing all that you can and that's fantastic!
Do you know what's fab as well? This soup! I'm in love with quinoa and the lemon addition sounds just too good to miss! xxx
Jess @ WhatJessicaBakedNext says
This quinoa soup looks divine! I love the flavours - super warm and comforting! Definitely going to be trying this soon! 😀
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Alyssa this soup looks so yummy. I have some leftover chicken in my fridge so I think my dinner for tonight is solved!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This soup looks fantastic, Alyssa! I've always wanted to add quinoa to soup, so I'm loving this. Sounds perfect!
Sues says
That's a great way to look at things! My word of the year would probably be tired, too, but hopefully that's just this season... who knows what's next! 🙂
This soup looks fabulous!! Both healthy and satisfying!
Alyssa says
Thanks Sues! Hope your word shifts from "tired" too. 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
I love lemony soups and I love the quinoa in this! I could see myself throwing in a handfull of orzo, too 🙂
Alyssa says
Yessss love orzo! That would be a great addition to this soup Medha. Thanks!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I miss working out!! I also have ZERO time for exercising, which is such a bummer. This looks like a wonderful soup, so healthy and refreshing! Love the lemon in there 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Denise! I think I'll have a hard time not adding lemon to my chicken soup from now on!
Anna @ shenannagans says
Oh I hear you, I started 2015 out with many of the same intentions, but boy oh boy has it been hectic and rather difficult to get to all the plans I'd imagined I'd be working on. I, like you, was rather miffed at myself for not sticking to the plan, until I realised, I actually was, I just wasn't doing it all according to the plan. Lol! Either way. Life's good, a little cold now, but good. I celebrate the little wins when I can, appreciate that it all takes time, and enjoy the ride anyways. 🙂
Loving your chicken broth/soup, it's perfect for the cold snap we are currently living. Can't wait to try it. Give Tug a belly rub for me and happy week ahead lady. 🙂
Alyssa says
I know what you mean Anna! If things don't unfold as quickly as I hope I get a little nuts sometimes. Just need to give myself reminders every now and then that progress is progress, period! And thank you! While it's just heating up here now I suppose this soup is right on schedule for you. See? There's me not thinking I'm sticking to the plan being it's springtime here, but realizing I'm totally right on schedule for you all in chillier climates! Perfect. As always Tug appreciates the love. 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
Um, YUM! Have you eaten at Demos yet? Everyone raves about the chicken and rice soup, but yours looks a gabillion times better! I love that you used quinoa in this, so perfect! I think I am going to make it this weekend!
Alyssa says
Oh we've gotten lunch to go from there but I've never had the soup. I'll have to try it next time! Thanks Annie!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
I can eat soup ALL year long! I hope things calm down for you at work soon, but even just one recipe is fine when they are this fantastic!
Alyssa says
Thanks Ashley! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Alyssa, I love this! Such an inspirational message. Live Each Season. I've been trying to do something kind of similar, where I just do my best and don't beat myself up for all the things I didn't accomplish, but instead celebrate everything I did accomplish. This was such a happy thing for me to read this morning!
And I love this soup! Lemon chicken soup is something I make every time I'm starting to feel sick. But I love adding quinoa! The more protein the better!
Alyssa says
Yessss yes yes. I love your mindset too! Sometimes taking a time out and getting perspective is so necessary. Lemon chicken soup is becoming one of my favorites!
marcie says
Here's to eating soup all year! I love it, and I can never get enough even when it's hot out. This look light and refreshing with the lemon, and I love the quinoa to make it extra satisfying! 🙂
Alyssa says
Glad to hear I'm not alone in enjoying soup year round Marcie! Thanks 🙂