Hearty Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup

Discover the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly flavorful and nourishing Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup with Rice. Crafted from a handful of wholesome, budget-friendly ingredients often found in your pantry, this soup is not just a meal; it’s a heartwarming experience. Renowned for its rich taste, ease of preparation, and exceptional health benefits, it stands out as a fulfilling dish perfect for any day of the week. Unlike a simple lentil soup, the addition of tender, shredded chicken and a touch of rice elevates its heartiness and creates a truly satisfying main course.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, this Chicken Lentil and Rice Soup shares its wholesome spirit with classic recipes like Lebanese Lentil Soup (Shorbet Adas). However, it takes the experience a step further by incorporating savory shredded chicken and fluffy rice, transforming it into a more robust and complete meal. This ensures a deeply satisfying bowl that’s brimming with authentic flavors and textures. Whether you enjoy it as a standalone meal or a hearty side, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Its simplicity and delightful taste make it an ideal choice for a comforting lunch or a light yet filling dinner.

If you appreciate the comforting and aromatic flavors of this chicken lentil rice soup, you’ll love exploring other beloved Middle Eastern recipes that are just as easy to prepare and equally delicious. Consider trying Lebanese Spinach Pies (Fatayer Sabanekh), a savory pastry delight; Vermicelli Rice, a staple side dish; or the smoky and creamy Baba Ghanouj, a classic eggplant dip. These recipes embody the rich culinary traditions of the region, bringing diverse and exciting tastes to your table with minimal effort.

Why This Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

This Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup isn’t just another dish; it’s a culinary staple that offers a myriad of benefits. Here’s why you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe time and time again:

• Effortless Preparation: Forget complicated cooking techniques. Like most comforting soups, the majority of the work involves simply simmering the ingredients to perfection. Once your components are gathered and in the pot, you can sit back and let the flavors meld. This makes it an incredibly accessible recipe, even for novice cooks, allowing you to enjoy a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal without stress or extensive kitchen time.
• Smart Use of Leftovers: This soup is a brilliant solution for repurposing leftover chicken, transforming it into something new and exciting. Whether you have roasted chicken, grilled chicken, or even a store-bought rotisserie chicken, it seamlessly integrates into this recipe, saving you both time and food waste. It’s an ingenious way to extend the life of cooked chicken while creating a completely fresh and flavorful dish.
• Perfect for Meal Prep and Freezing: Planning ahead is made simple with this freezer-friendly soup. Double your batch and store portions for quick, wholesome meals on busy days. When hunger strikes, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or reheat it directly from frozen for a convenient and comforting dinner. This makes it an invaluable addition to any meal-prepper’s repertoire, ensuring you always have a nutritious option at hand.
• Nutrient-Rich and Wholesome: Packed with the goodness of red lentils, fresh vegetables like carrots and onions, and lean protein from chicken, this soup is a powerhouse of nutrition. Lentils are celebrated for their fiber content, promoting digestive health and sustained energy, while chicken provides essential amino acids. It’s a meal that truly nourishes your body and soul.
• Deep, Authentic Flavors: The combination of caramelized onions, earthy cumin, tangy lemon juice, and fresh parsley creates a depth of flavor that is truly irresistible. Each spoonful offers a harmonious blend of Mediterranean spices and ingredients, making it a more complex and satisfying experience than a plain chicken or lentil soup. This rich flavor profile is what sets it apart and makes it so incredibly addictive.

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Chicken Lentil Soup

Crafting this flavorful Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup begins with selecting fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with tips for optimal results:

• Red Lentils: Crucial for this recipe, dried red lentils are preferred as they break down beautifully to give the soup its characteristic creamy texture without needing any thickening agents. Always rinse them thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove any impurities and excess starch.
• Shredded Chicken: Cooked shredded chicken is a fantastic way to add lean protein and heartiness. Feel free to use any cut of chicken you prefer, such as chicken breast for a leaner option or chicken thighs for more flavor. This is also an excellent opportunity to utilize leftover cooked chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience.
• Onions: Sweet white onions lend a subtle sweetness to the soup when caramelized, forming a delicious aromatic base. However, regular yellow onions work just as well. Ensure they are finely diced to fully meld into the soup’s texture and flavor.
• Shredded Carrots: Pre-shredded carrots are a great time-saver. If you’re shredding your own, consider chopping them a bit more finely after shredding, or dice them into very small pieces if you’re using whole carrots. They add natural sweetness and a lovely color to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to maintain control over the overall saltiness of your soup. This allows you to season it perfectly to your preference, enhancing the natural flavors without over-salting.
• Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. Adjust quantities to your personal taste throughout the cooking process.
• Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil, whether a light-flavored variety or a standard extra virgin olive oil, is used for sautéing. It provides a foundational richness and healthy fats.
• White Rice: Uncooked and rinsed white rice, such as Jasmine rice, adds body and a delightful texture to the soup, making it even more filling. Rinsing helps prevent excessive starch from making the soup too cloudy.
• Cumin Powder: Cumin is the star spice here, imparting a warm, earthy, and distinctly Middle Eastern aroma and flavor. A little goes a long way, but adjust to your liking, or omit if it’s not to your taste.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is non-negotiable! Its bright, zesty acidity is a vital component, cutting through the richness and elevating all the other flavors. Bottled lemon juice simply doesn’t compare in terms of freshness and vibrancy.
• Italian Parsley: Freshly chopped Italian parsley adds a burst of freshness, color, and a herbaceous note that complements the other ingredients beautifully. While dried parsley can be used in a pinch, fresh is highly recommended for the best flavor and presentation.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Delicious Chicken Lentil Soup

Follow these simple steps to create a rich and flavorful Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup that will impress everyone at your table:

• Prepare the Lentils: Begin by placing your dried red lentils in a bowl and washing them thoroughly under cold running water. Continue rinsing and draining until the water runs completely clear, indicating that all impurities and excess starch have been removed. Set the clean lentils aside.

• Sauté the Onions: Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to shimmer. Add the finely diced onions and sauté them patiently, stirring occasionally, until they become soft, translucent, and beautifully caramelized to a golden-brown color. This step is crucial for building a deep flavor base.

• Combine and Sauté Dry Ingredients: To the pot with the caramelized onions, add the washed red lentils, shredded carrots, rinsed white rice, cumin powder, and black pepper. Stir these ingredients together and sauté for a couple of minutes. This brief sautéing helps to toast the spices and develop their flavors. Then, pour in the chicken broth and water, and add a preliminary amount of salt. Stir well and taste, adjusting the salt as needed to your preference.

• Simmer to Perfection: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar to allow some steam to escape. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer patiently for approximately 40 minutes. During this time, the lentils and rice will cook down and almost dissolve, creating a wonderfully thick and comforting consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Add Final Touches: After 40 minutes, stir in the cooked shredded chicken, fresh Italian parsley, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Cover the pot again and continue to cook for another 10 minutes. At this stage, the soup should have a balanced consistency—neither too thin nor overly thick. It should be a hearty, pourable soup.

• Serve and Savor: Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and allow the soup to rest for a few minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to deepen and the soup to thicken slightly to its ideal consistency. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish generously with extra fresh parsley, and serve immediately with a side of crispy baked or fried pita bread and fresh lemon wedges for an added burst of tanginess. Enjoy this truly authentic and comforting meal!

Expert Tips for Crafting the Best Chicken Lentil Soup

Achieving the perfect bowl of chicken lentil soup is easy with these helpful tips:

• Lentil Variety Matters: For this specific recipe, using only red lentils is essential. Unlike other varieties such as green or brown lentils, red lentils have a quicker cooking time and break down readily, contributing significantly to the soup’s desired thick, creamy, and smooth consistency. You can typically find them in most grocery stores, especially in the bulk foods section or at Middle Eastern markets.
• Thorough Rinsing is Key: Always make it a point to rinse your red lentils thoroughly under cold water. Continue rinsing until the water that drains away is completely clear. This crucial step removes any dust, debris, and excess starch, which can otherwise make your soup cloudy and affect its texture.
• Chicken Choices: While shredded chicken thighs are often favored for their rich flavor and tender texture, feel free to use shredded chicken breast or any other cooked chicken cut you have on hand. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it perfect for using up leftovers or preparing a quick meal with rotisserie chicken.
• Achieving Ideal Consistency: The perfect chicken lentil soup should strike a balance—it shouldn’t be too watery or overly thick. A consistency that’s “right in between” is usually ideal, offering a comforting mouthfeel. Keep in mind that as the soup cools, the lentils and rice will continue to absorb liquid and thicken further. Allowing the soup to rest for a few minutes before serving helps it reach this optimal thickness.
• The Pita Bread Experience: Don’t skip serving this soup with pita bread! It’s an integral part of the experience. Whether you prefer it baked until crisp or fried to a golden perfection, pita bread is excellent for dipping and scooping up every last drop of the delicious soup. Fried pita, with its added crunch and flavor, is a personal favorite for many.
• Enhance with Fresh Lemon: The fresh lemon juice added at the end is a game-changer. It brightens all the flavors and adds a zesty tang that is characteristic of Lebanese cuisine. Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice; bottled alternatives lack the vibrant flavor.
• Spice Adjustment: While cumin provides a beautiful earthiness, feel free to adjust the amount to your taste. For an extra layer of flavor, a tiny pinch of Lebanese 7-spice blend (Baharat) can be added during the simmering stage, offering a more complex aromatic profile.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Lentil Soup

Here are some common questions about making and enjoying this delicious Chicken Lentil Soup:

Explore More Delicious Middle Eastern Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the rich flavors of this Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup, you’ll love these other authentic and easy-to-make recipes from our kitchen:

• Lebanese Hummus with Spiced Meat
• Easy Beef Shawarma Bowl
• Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra)
• Lebanese Cheese Rolls

We sincerely hope you cherish every recipe shared with you, especially this delightful Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup with Rice. Give it a try, savor its comforting flavors, and consider rating it and sharing it with your loved ones!

If you prepare this recipe and enjoy it as much as we do, please take a moment to leave a star rating and a comment below. Your feedback means the world to us! Also, connect with us at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all our latest updates, social posts, and exciting new recipes.

Lebanese Chicken Lentil Soup

By: Mariam Ezzeddine

This wholesome Chicken Lentil Soup, made with simple ingredients, is bursting with flavor, incredibly easy to prepare, and exceptionally healthy. Utilizing readily available pantry staples, this soup is not only budget-friendly but also wonderfully filling.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1½ cup red lentils, dry
• 2 cups shredded chicken, cooked, any cut
• 2 cups onions, petite diced
• 1½ cup shredded carrots
• 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
• 4 cups water
• 1 tsp. black pepper, or less to taste
• 2 tbsps. olive oil, light tasting
• ⅓ cup white rice, uncooked, rinsed (Jasmine recommended)
• ½ tsp. cumin powder
• ¼ cup lemon juice, fresh squeezed
• 3 tbsps. Italian parsley, fresh, finely chopped plus more for garnishing
• Salt to taste

Serve with:

• Fried or baked pita
• Fresh lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Wash the lentils really well in a bowl until the water does not look cloudy anymore. Drain the water and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Fry the onions until caramelized in color.
3. Add in the washed lentils, shredded carrots, rinsed rice, cumin powder and black pepper. Mix and sauté for a couple of minutes then add in the chicken broth, salt and water. Adjust salt to taste.
4. Cover, but crack the lid open just a little. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the soup to cook very well until the lentils and rice have almost dissolved. This takes about 40 minutes.
5. Add in the cooked shredded chicken, parsley, and lemon juice. Cook covered for another 10 minutes. The soup should not be too runny or thick; a consistency right in between is perfect.
6. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with some fresh parsley and serve with a side of baked or fried pita bread and lemon wedges.

Notes

• Use only red lentils for this recipe. Different lentils have varying cook times, and red lentils break down quicker, contributing significantly to the soup’s desired thick, creamy, and smooth consistency. They are widely available in most grocery stores, especially in bulk food or Middle Eastern sections.
• Always rinse red lentils thoroughly until the water runs clear. This removes any debris and excess starch.
• While shredded chicken thighs are often favored for their rich flavor and tender texture, feel free to use shredded chicken breast or any other cooked chicken cut you have on hand. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it perfect for using up leftovers or preparing a quick meal with rotisserie chicken.
• The ideal soup consistency is neither too watery nor overly thick. It should be a comforting medium. Note that the soup will naturally thicken further as it cools, due to the lentils and rice. Allowing the soup to rest for a few minutes before serving helps it reach this optimal thickness.
• Serving with pita bread is highly recommended. Fried pita adds a delightful crunch and extra flavor, making it a favorite accompaniment.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 680mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3813IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4mg