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    Home > Soup, Stews, Chilis > Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup Recipe

    Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup Recipe

    Published: Mar 16, 2022 · Modified: Sep 19, 2022 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup Pin

    Warming and comforting, this Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup Recipe delivers a rich chicken flavored broth scented with ginger, lemon and garlic. This is a lovely Spring chicken soup with lemon that’s both rewarding and healthy.

    Lemon ginger chicken soup with a bowl of oyster crackers.

    This is one amazing bowl of soup. And you’ll love it for its simplicity.

    Simmering chicken breasts and chicken thighs in chicken stock deepens the chicken flavor. And lemon and ginger brighten the flavors for a delightful light flavor.

    This Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup Recipe is a classic Julia Child recipe that you owe it to yourself to try. Elegant, healthy and light, this is a soup recipe will carry your through those cool Spring days and into Summer.

    And Chicken Soup with no noodles? Yes, it does exist. This soup is fresh in flavor and light in calories and one that will have you asking for seconds and thirds. 

    Most lemon chicken soup recipes include orzo or rice for a Greek flare. This recipe stays clean, fresh and super heathy using just chicken, spices and vegetables.

    So if you’re looking for a much lighter and healthier version of classic Chicken Noodle Soup, you’ve got to give this one a try.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Ingredients to make lemon ginger chicken soup.
    • Chicken Broth
    • Mirepoix: Onion, celery and carrots
    • Parsley
    • Chicken: Both boneless skinless chicken breast and bone-in skin on thighs. The bones and skins will add a deep layer of flavor.
    • Lemons: Slices and zest.
    • Seasonings: Ginger, garlic and bay leaves.

    Pro Tip: Freeze Ginger. Keep that knob of ginger in the freezer. Whenever you need a small amount for any recipe, just remove it and use a zester or microplane zester to acquire the amount you need and then return the rest back to the freezer for future use. You don’t even need to peel the ginger. EASY and practical.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Cooking chicken in Dutch oven for lemon ginger chicken soup.
    Step 1
    • Step 1: Place chicken, 2 whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, fresh ginger, salt and pepper in a 6 quart Dutch oven.
    Cooking whole chicken breasts and chicken thighs in chicken broth.
    Step 2
    • Step 2: Add chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce to low and simmer with lid slightly ajar for 45 minutes.
    Making mirepoix for chicken soup with chopped carrots, celery and onion.
    • Step 3: Make the Mirepoix. Mirepoix is a a classic French technique where chopped celery, onions and carrots are sauteed, then added to soups and sauces as an aromatic for a base layer of flavor. Practice your knife skills here and cut the vegetables as close to the same size as you can. Saute the veggies in neutral oil or olive oil at a low heat until just starting to become tender and sweet.
    Shredded chicken using to forks.
    Step 4
    • Step 4: Remove chicken from broth and once it’s cool enough to handle, shred chicken thigh meat from bones and discard the skin. Shred the chicken breast meat. Find the two cloves of garlic in the broth and using the back of a fork, smash them against the side of the Dutch Oven.
    Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup in a Red Le Creuset Dutch Oven.
    Step 5
    • Step 5: Remove the lemon slices to a plate. Add the sauteed vegetables, lemon zest and shredded chicken back into to cooking liquid. Add 2 cups water. Cover and reduce heat to medium, and simmer approximately 20 minutes.

    How To Season Soup For A Brighter Flavor

    As I learned in Culinary School, any type of acid will brighten the flavors of any dish. An example is a splash of vinegar when making tomato based dishes. Vinegar will take the bite out of a too harsh tomato flavor.

    For this soup, lemon zest acts as the acid to lift the flavors of the soup to brighter level. 

    Storing and Freezing

    Once the soup has cooled, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat simply use the microwave or stovetop.

    This soup will also freeze well. Again, allow the soup to cool, then place in several airtight small containers for individual servings, or a large container. This soup will keep in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then use microwave or stove top to reheat.

    Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup Recipe

    Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup in  a white lattice bowl.

    It’s perfect in every way. Delicately flavored broth with ginger, bay leaf and garlic. Carrot, celery, onions are brightened with lemon zest. Tender chicken that soaks up every bit of that flavor…and the rest is perfect and elegant history.

    ‘Tis the season to transition from thick comforting stews to lighter fresh soups. This chicken soup with lemon brings it on.

    I hope you give this lemon chicken soup recipe a try and if you do, please come back and leave a comment about your experience with the recipe.

    And if you have a favorite lighter chicken soup recipe without noodles, let me know, I’d love to give it a try. 

    And if you’re soup fans like us, don’t miss my Soup Category. You’ll find lots of great recipes, including the most popular on my site for Chicken Noodle Soup.

    More Chicken Soup Recipes

    • Creamy Lemon Basil Chicken Soup
    • Chicken Poblano Soup With Hominy
    • Chicken Sweet Potato Soup
    • Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe
    Lemon ginger chicken soup with a bowl of oyster crackers.

    Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup

    Delicately flavored broth with ginger, bay leaf and garlic. Carrot, celery and onion are brightened with lemon zest.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup, Stews and Chilis
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 270kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless
    • 1 pound chicken thighs skin on, bone-in
    • 8 cups chicken broth
    • 1 Tablespoon ginger grated
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 2 Tablespoon neutral oil canola works good here. You can also use olive oil.
    • 1 1/2 cups onion chopped, about 1 large onion
    • 2 cups celery chopped, about 4 – 5 stalks, plus leaves
    • 2 cups carrots peeled and chopped, about 3 – 4 carrots
    • 2 cloves garlic peeled
    • 6 slices Lemon from one of the lemons you zested.
    • 2 cups water
    • 4 teaspoons lemon zest zest from 2 lemons
    • salt & pepper
    • Parsley or basil to garnish
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    Instructions

    • Place chicken, 2 whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, sginger, salt and pepper, and chicken broth in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce to low and simmer with lid ajar for 45 minutes.
    • Make the mirepoix: Chop all of the vegetables, zest two lemons, and slice one of the lemons that you used for zesting.
    • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add onion, celery, carrot and lemon slices. Saute over medium heat for 5 – 6 minutes or until tender. Stir occasionally.
    • Remove chicken from broth and once it's cool enough for handling, shred chicken thigh meat from bones and discard skin. Shred the chicken breast meat. Find the two cloves of garlic in the broth and using the back of a fork, smash them against the side of the Dutch Oven.
    • Add the sauteed vegetables, lemon zest and shredded chicken back into to cooking liquid. Add 2 cups water. Cover and reduce heat to medium, and simmer approximately 20 minutes.
    • Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust for seasonings (salt and pepper) and serve.
    • Garnish with parsley and some of the sliced lemon.

    Notes

    Pro tip; Keep ginger in the freezer. Whenever you need some, use a microplane zester to get the amount you need. You don’t even need to peel the ginger. Easy! For this recipe, zest a generous tablespoon of ginger instead of peeling and slicing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 1030mg | Potassium: 783mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5176IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Lemon Ginger Chicken Soup … It’s What’s For Dinner

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. And write a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback.

    More Soup Stew and Chili Recipes

    • Sherried Black Bean And Ham Soup
    • Easy Turkey Lentil Soup with Barley
    • Jacques Pepin’s Beef Stew In Red Wine
    • Creamy Southwestern Chicken Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patricia Peterson says

      January 13, 2020 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      I prepared the Ginger Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe with variation befitting prep for and cooking in a stove top pressure cooker with excellent results. This is an easy recipe with excellent flavor. The only ingredient I added not in the recipe was mushrooms. I used my homemade chicken broth.
      The combination of ginger root and lemon zest is fantastic and totally piqued all of the ingredients and added a complex subtle richness to the flavor of the broth.
      This is by far one of the best online recipes ever; simple, real food without filler ingredients, easy steps and remarkable flavor.
      I also appreciate the button moving directly to the recipe.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        January 14, 2020 at 6:50 am

        Hi Patricia: Thank you so much for that detailed review on the Ginger Lemon Chicken Soup.

        So glad you enjoyed the recipe and appreciate you taking the time to come back and leave your thoughts.

        Make it a delicious day.

        Reply
    2. cheri says

      February 12, 2017 at 3:46 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Lea Ann, love this light brothy soup with ginger and lemon, I bet this is delicious!

      Reply
    3. Barb says

      March 19, 2016 at 4:39 pm

      Yummy, Lea Ann – wish you lived next door and always invited me for dinner or lunch!

      Reply
    4. Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says

      February 13, 2016 at 9:27 pm

      Now this recipe should be the new cure for the common cold! Love the ginger.

      Reply
    5. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      February 12, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      I love all things lemony and this soup with the added flavor of ginger sounds like a delicious recipe.

      Reply
    6. Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says

      February 11, 2016 at 8:26 pm

      I absolutely LOVE this soup! The addition of ginger is brilliant!

      Reply
    7. Barb says

      February 11, 2016 at 4:11 pm

      HI Lea Ann, I’m on a soup making kick since New Year. This ginger/lemon combo sounds flavorful. I’ve been making variations of veggie soup, sometimes adding beef. We’re heading to Denver for the weekend. It’s our twin Grands 13 birthday. Happy Valentine Day to you!

      Reply
    8. Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says

      February 11, 2016 at 9:09 am

      You had me at ginger. We’re still in the midst of needing heavier, heartwarming soups but I’d finish off a few bowls of this in a heartbeat. It looks amazing.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm

        It’s a great fresh and healthy soup. Loved this one.

        Reply
    9. Liz says

      February 11, 2016 at 6:48 am

      This soup looks and sounds good. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm

        Thanks Liz!

        Reply
    10. Karen says

      February 11, 2016 at 3:48 am

      That is MY kind of soup and would be perfect for all the cold weather we are having lately! Karen

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:52 pm

        I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for Spring. And this soup is so fresh and light, it reminded me of a spring soup rather than winter.

        Reply
    11. Abbe @ This is How I Cook says

      February 10, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Soup is so where it’s at right now. This looks great!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:52 pm

        Thanks Abbe.

        Reply
    12. Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says

      February 10, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      YUM, I love the idea of ginger and lemon flavoring this broth.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:52 pm

        Me too! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Debra says

      February 10, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      So many great recipes to Pin this month! I want to have soup all week now.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm

        I have had soup all week long! 🙂 This recipe made a big batch and I’m loving every bowl.

        Reply
        • Debra says

          February 13, 2016 at 8:21 am

          I just found frozen turkey in the freezer. I’m thinking of modifying your recipe just a tad.

    14. Sue Lau says

      February 10, 2016 at 2:47 pm

      I love these kind of light brothy soups, especially when I am slimming down! Looks great.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm

        Me too, and this is a healthy one!

        Reply
    15. Amy | Amy's Cooking Adventures says

      February 10, 2016 at 12:31 pm

      Doesn’t this look lovely! What a great choice for this month!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm

        Thank you Amy!

        Reply
    16. John/Kitchen Riffs says

      February 10, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Mmmm, soup! It’s snowing today, so that’s probably what we’ll have for dinner. This would be a wonderful choice — such nice flavors. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:54 pm

        Thanks John! Always good to hear from you.

        Reply
    17. Kate says

      February 10, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Great combination…lemon and ginger! Your soup is beautiful…and the flavors sound perfect.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:54 pm

        Thank you Kate!

        Reply
    18. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

      February 10, 2016 at 5:22 am

      Lemon and ginger in a soup – sounds like a match made in heaven. I could use a bowl right now in our unusually cool weather.
      Sam

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        February 11, 2016 at 3:54 pm

        It is a match made in heaven! Loved every spoon full of this one.

        Reply

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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad bringing you Wild West Colorado inspired recipes. You'll find lots of Southwestern, and Mexican food recipes, and some favorites from Culinary School along with pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration and reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

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