High Protein Lemon Turmeric Chicken Soup (Printable)

Vibrant golden soup with tender chicken, zesty lemon, turmeric, and baby kale for a nourishing high-protein meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1.5 teaspoons ground turmeric
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
14 - 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Oils

15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# How To Make It:

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; 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 the 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 the baby kale, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the kale is wilted.
06 - Taste and adjust salt or seasonings as desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The golden turmeric creates a glow that makes you feel better just by looking at the bowl.
  • It hits that perfect balance of high protein satiety without feeling heavy or sluggish afterward.
02 -
  • Adding the lemon too early can cause the flavors to turn slightly bitter or lose their punch.
  • Turmeric can stain wooden spoons so I always use a silicone spatula for this specific dish.
03 -
  • Zest your lemon before juicing it to make the process much easier and less messy.
  • A tiny pinch of extra black pepper helps activate the flavors and balances the earthiness.
Go Back