Lemon Chicken Soup with Angel Hair Pasta
Lemon Chicken Soup with Angel Hair Pasta is a bright, refreshing, and comforting soup combining tender chicken, delicate angel hair pasta, and vibrant lemon flavors. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for any season, delivering a warm, zesty meal that is light yet satisfying and easily customizable to fit various dietary needs.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta substitution)
Proteins
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 3 ounces angel hair pasta
Citrus
- Zest and juice of 2 fresh lemons
Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids
Fats & Oils
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prep Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and garlic. Zest and juice the lemons, setting them aside. Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and stir regularly until they soften and become translucent, developing a flavorful base for the soup.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they turn white on the outside but are not fully cooked through, ensuring they finish cooking gently in the broth without becoming tough.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes so the chicken finishes cooking and flavors meld together.
- Cook the Angel Hair Pasta: Add the angel hair pasta directly into the pot during the last 4-5 minutes of simmering to allow it to soften perfectly without becoming mushy.
- Finish with Lemon and Herbs: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and zest for a bright, refreshing twist. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or dill over the soup to complete its fresh flavor profile.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best bright citrus flavor instead of bottled lemon juice.
- Do not overcook the angel hair pasta by adding it near the end of simmering to maintain tender texture.
- Simmer gently on low heat to keep chicken juicy and broth clear.
- Season gradually, tasting as you go, to balance the lemon’s brightness with the savory elements.
- Serve the soup immediately as pasta can absorb broth and become mushy if left too long.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: lemon chicken soup, angel hair pasta soup, comforting soup, quick chicken soup, lemon chicken broth, easy chicken soup, healthy chicken pasta soup