Light Lemon-Herb Chicken Broth with Chopped Veggies
A gentle, soothing soup to ease bloating and support digestion during Whole30 reintroduction, featuring bone broth and fresh herbs. This comfort food-inspired whole30 ready in about 200 minutes pairs (from roasted chicken) chicken bones, medium, sliced thin carrots, stalks, sliced thin celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 45 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (from roasted chicken) chicken bones
- 2 medium, sliced thin carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced thin celery
- 1 small, quartered onion
- 3 cloves, smashed garlic
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 thin lemon slices
- 6 cups water
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 cups chicken bones, 2 medium sliced carrots, 2 stalks sliced celery, 1 small quartered onion, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme in a large pot. Add 6 cups water and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, skimming foam from the surface for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 3 hours until broth is rich and flavorful, adding 2 thin lemon slices and 1/2 tsp sea salt during the last 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids. Return to pot and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley until well combined.
- Step 4: Serve warm in mugs, ensuring each portion includes 1 cup of broth with all added herbs and lemon for maximum digestive support.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Light Lemon-Herb Chicken Broth with Chopped Veggies take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Light Lemon-Herb Chicken Broth with Chopped Veggies?
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 medium, sliced thin carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Light Lemon-Herb Chicken Broth with Chopped Veggies?
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 Light Lemon-Herb Chicken Broth with Chopped Veggies 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 Light Lemon-Herb Chicken Broth with Chopped Veggies?
Comfort Food whole30 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
