Summery Veggie-Lentil Soup (Meat Optional)

Name: Summery Veggie-Lentil Soup (Meat Optional)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, chopped; 1 large carrot, chopped; 2 zucchini, chopped; 2 (32 ounce) cartons low sodium chicken broth; 2 (14 ounce) cans lentils, drained; 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped; 1 teaspoon turmeric; 1 packet goya sazon seasoning; 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 lemon, juice of; salt and pepper

Submitted by Stella8037

"I was trying to find a lentil soup that wasn’t so thick and heavy, so I came up with this one. It's a bit lighter for the summer, but still very healthy! You can leave out the meat and switch to vegetable broth to make it vegetarian."

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Ready In:: 40mins
Ingredients:: 12
Serves:: 8

ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 zucchini, chopped
2 (32 ounce) cartons low sodium chicken broth
2 (14 ounce) cans lentils, drained
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 packet goya sazon seasoning
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lemon, juice of
salt and pepper

directions

Heat oil in dutch oven or stockpot over medium. Add chopped onion and sauté until just softened.
Add carrot and cook a few more minutes.
Add chicken stock and zucchini, bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, add turmeric, Sazon, and salt & pepper.
Let simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until veggies are just tender. Add lentils and chicken. Allow to heat through for a minute or two.
Take off heat, stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Adjust seasoning and serve.
***NOTES*** I drain the lentils but don’t rinse them – they thicken the soup a bit.
I typically just buy a rotisserie chicken from the market and add the trimmed meat from that. It gives the soup a nice slow-roasted flavor.
I love cilantro so I add a ton, but you could dial it down or add parsley instead. FRESH herbs is really the way to go, they taste so much better!

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Stella8037

I am really into the concept that quick, affordable, AND healthy is totally possible, and using fresh and local foods while doing it! I'm definitely guilty of taking shortcuts in a pinch, but I never make anything with a can of Cream of Chicken soup (blech). Recently I've been all about lentils and quinoa, and any vegetable on the grill! <img src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/ZaarNicksMom/Animation6.gif"> Also, I'd just like to state for the record here: "Marinade" is the dressing you put on meat to make it juicy and tasty - i.e. "Use italian dressing for a marinade." "Marinate" is the act of using that dressing - i.e. "Marinate the chicken one hour". Ok, that's all from the Vocabulary Police for today. ;)

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