Description
This hearty French Lentil Soup is a comforting dish that can be enjoyed as a vegetarian option or with added chicken for extra protein. Packed with vegetables and fragrant herbs, it’s a wholesome meal perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetarian Version:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 cups French green lentils (du Puy lentils), rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach or kale
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- juice of 1/2 lemon
Chicken Option:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Instructions
- Prepare the Soup Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened. Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, and bay leaf.
- Cook the Lentils: Add lentils, broth, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer until lentils are tender.
- Finish the Soup: Stir in chicken if using, then add spinach or kale, parsley, and lemon juice. Simmer until greens are wilted.
- Serve: Adjust seasoning and serve hot, optionally with crusty bread.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup before adding greens.
- Pairs well with crusty bread.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 15 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
