Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon dried juniper berries, lightly crushed
- 1/2 cup long-grain white rice
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5–7 minutes until translucent. Stir in the ground turmeric and crushed juniper berries, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Pour in the chicken broth, add the chicken pieces, and the white rice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Step 3: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. While the soup continues to simmer gently, shred the chicken using two forks.
- Step 4: Return the shredded chicken to the soup pot. Stir in the lemon zest and the fresh lemon juice. Season the soup generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Allow the Lemon Juniper Turmeric Chicken and Rice Soup to simmer uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Leftover soup stores beautifully for 3-4 days in the fridge, but be aware the rice will soak up a lot of the broth, turning the consistency much thicker.
- Since the rice thickens overnight, gently reheat the soup on the stovetop and loosen it with a splash or two of extra chicken broth or water to restore the perfect soup consistency.
- For a bright finish, serve each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley and a tiny drizzle of quality olive oil to enhance the lemon zest aroma.
- When incorporating the juniper, crush the dried berries only lightly with the back of a spoon; this releases their earthy, piney aroma without causing the broth to become bitter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American