Chicken and Lentil Soup with Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting, protein-rich soup simmered with chicken, lentils, and fresh spinach in a fragrant vegetable broth. This american-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs chicken, lentils, medium carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add diced chicken, brown for 3-4 minutes on all sides.
  4. Step 4: Stir in rinsed lentils, chicken broth, thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
  6. Step 6: Stir in fresh spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
  7. Step 7: Season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken and Lentil Soup with Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicken and Lentil Soup with Spinach?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicken and Lentil Soup with Spinach?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicken and Lentil Soup with Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chicken and Lentil Soup with Spinach?

American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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