🌿 Healthy Western Recipes
420 kcal 32g protein 30 min Low-CalorieHigh-ProteinMediterranean

Italian Chicken Soup with Lemon & Caper

Bright Mediterranean chicken soup with white beans, capers, and fresh lemon.

Italian Chicken Soup with Lemon & Caper

This Italian chicken soup is the antidote to heavy comfort food. Chicken breast cubes, leeks, and creamy cannellini beans cook in a light broth spiked with capers, lemon zest and a final squeeze of lemon. It tastes bright and briny, with 32g of protein per serving and only 420 kcal — perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 2 chicken breasts (300g), cubed
  • 1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (400g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 tbsp capers, rinsed
  • 1.2 litres chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Handful of fresh parsley, chopped

Method

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the leek and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.

  2. Add the chicken cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden on all sides.

  3. Pour in the chicken stock, add the cannellini beans, capers, oregano and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the beans are tender.

  4. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and most of the parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning — you may want a pinch more lemon juice for brightness, or a touch more salt.

  5. Ladle into bowls and scatter the remaining parsley over the top. Serve with crusty whole-grain bread if desired.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories420 kcal
Protein32 g
Carbohydrates30 g
Fat14 g
Fiber8 g

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