Description
This comforting Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup is a heartwarming dish featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and soft spaetzle pasta in a zesty lemon-infused broth. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, this soup combines traditional German-American flavors with a bright citrus twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauté Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Soup
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups spaetzle (fresh or dried)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the base: In a large pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and shimmering. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery, then sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma without burning.
- Add broth and chicken: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the cooked shredded chicken along with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook the spaetzle: Add the spaetzle to the pot. Cook fresh spaetzle for about 8 to 10 minutes or dried spaetzle for 12 to 15 minutes, until tender but still slightly firm to the bite. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with lemon and herbs: Stir in the lemon zest and juice to brighten the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
- Add parsley and serve: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the fresh chopped parsley just before serving to add a fresh herbal note and vibrant color.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of cream or a pat of butter just before serving.
- You can substitute store-bought spaetzle with egg noodles if preferred.
- Use homemade chicken broth for a deeper, more authentic flavor.
- Add more lemon juice if you prefer a brighter, tangier soup.