Simmered Ginger-Lemon Chicken Soup for Cold Relief
A soothing chicken soup with fresh ginger and lemon designed to ease common cold symptoms and provide comforting warmth. This american-inspired soups (high protein) ready in about 45 minutes pairs pound boneless chicken breast, tablespoons, thinly sliced fresh ginger, medium, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons, thinly sliced fresh ginger
- 3 tablespoons, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 1 small, chopped yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 small chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 medium diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh ginger and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly to release the aroma.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Step 4: Add 1 pound boneless chicken breast whole into the simmering broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook gently for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove the chicken breast, shred it with two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Step 6: Stir in 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Ginger-Lemon Chicken Soup for Cold Relief take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Simmered Ginger-Lemon Chicken Soup for Cold Relief?
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 pound boneless chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Ginger-Lemon Chicken Soup for Cold Relief?
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 Simmered Ginger-Lemon Chicken Soup for Cold Relief 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.
Is Simmered Ginger-Lemon Chicken Soup for Cold Relief high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
