Fridge Friend recipes
Lemon Onion Chicken Soup recipe
A light yet comforting chicken soup made by gently simmering whole chicken with onion, lemon and a little butter for richness. The broth turns savoury and bright, with tender shredded chicken in every bowl.
95 min · Easy · British Jump to method
Ingredients
- 1.4kg whole chicken
- 1 large onion
- 1.5 lemon
- 25g butter
- 2L water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
| Nutrition | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 435 kcal |
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5.5 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Saturated fat | 10.2 g |
| Fibre | 0.8 g |
| Sugar | 2.1 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Why this works
High-protein, relatively low-carb soup with moderate fat; can be a nourishing option but is not low in sodium or saturated fat due to the chicken skin, butter and added salt.
High-quality protein. Chicken provides a substantial amount of complete protein, supporting muscle maintenance and satiety.
Vitamin C from lemon. Lemon adds a small boost of vitamin C and flavour without many calories.
Sodium and saturated fat. The added salt, butter and whole chicken contribute notable sodium and saturated fat, so this is less suitable for low-salt or heart-focused diets.
Method
- Place the whole chicken in a large pot and add 2 L water. Bring to the boil over a medium-high heat, skimming off any foam as needed.
- Peel and quarter the onion, then add it to the pot with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Slice 1 lemon and add it to the pot. Lower the heat and simmer gently for 70 minutes, partially covered, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
- Lift the chicken out onto a tray and leave it to cool for 10 minutes. Strain the broth if you prefer a clearer soup, then return the broth and onion to the pot.
- Shred the chicken meat from the whole chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Return the chicken meat to the broth.
- Stir in the butter and the juice of the remaining 1/2 lemon, then simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt or black pepper if needed.
- Ladle the lemon onion chicken soup into bowls and serve hot.
Make it even more fancy
More recipes using the same ingredients
Creamy Yoghurt Chicken Curry
40 min · Tender chicken simmered in a gently spiced yoghurt sauce for a comforting, tangy curry. Serve with rice or flatbreads for a satisfying dinner.
Butter and Herb Roasted Chicken
90 min · Succulent roast chicken with a crisp, golden skin and rich butter flavour. Simple seasoning and a buttery finish keep the meat juicy and full of flavour.
Cheesy Baked Chicken with Yoghurt
45 min · Tender chicken is coated in a tangy yoghurt marinade, then baked under a golden cheese topping with a buttery finish. It is a simple, comforting chicken bake with a creamy, savoury flavour.
Chicken and Aubergine Stir-Fry with Soy-Orange Glaze
25 min · Tender chicken and soft aubergine are tossed with peppers in a glossy soy-orange glaze, finished with garlic and onion for a vibrant, savoury-sweet stir-fry. It’s quick to make and ideal served with rice or noodles.
Chicken and Pepper Masala Bake
55 min · A richly spiced baked chicken dish with sweet peppers, onion and a savoury tomato sauce. The curry powder and coriander bring a warm masala flavour, while the peppers keep it fresh and colourful.
Chicken and Red Pepper Gravy
35 min · Tender chicken breast is simmered with onion, red pepper and a spiced tomato gravy for a rich, comforting dish. It is fragrant, savoury and ideal served with rice, mash or flatbreads.
View Category
Discover recipes from your fridge contents
Use the FridgeFriend app to recognise the ingredients already in your fridge and help you discover recipes.
