Lemon Chicken Soup is a burst of sunshine in a bowl, combining the refreshing tang of lemon with the savory richness of chicken and a colorful array of vegetables melding it all together. Each spoonful brings out the yumminess of all flavors, perfect for warming up on a cool day or enjoying as a light, nourishing meal year-round.
Lemon Chicken Soup is a burst of sunshine in a bowl, combining the refreshing tang of lemon with the savory richness of chicken and a colorful array of vegetables melding it all together. Each spoonful brings out the yumminess of all the flavors, perfect for warming up on a cool day or enjoying as a light, nourishing meal year-round.
For busy individuals and parents, this Lemon Chicken Soup as a freezer meal is a lifesaver. The convenience of make-ahead meals means you can prepare a big batch when you have the time, and then reheat when you are in need for an easy dinner and serve whenever you need a quick, healthy dinner. It’s a stress-free solution to feeding your family well without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Come along with me as we dive into prepping this wonderful Lemon Chicken Soup freezer meal. It is so simple, you need to try this to believe it. Together, we’ll create a delicious, convenient dish that’s sure to become a staple in your make ahead meal rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe?
Perfect for Busy Schedules: Ideal for those days when you’re running late.
Family Favorite: A dish everyone in the family can agree on.
Ideal for Sharing: Make extra to share with friends or neighbors.
Flavorful: The zesty lemon and savory chicken make for a delightful, refreshing taste.
Healthy: Low in fat and high in protein, making it a balanced meal.
Customizable: Add your family’s favorite vegetables or spices.
Long Shelf Life: Keeps well in the freezer for months.
Lemon Chicken Soup Freezer Meal Recipe
Lemon Chicken Soup is a burst of sunshine in a bowl, combining the refreshing tang of lemon with the savory richness of chicken and a colorful array of vegetables melding it all together. Each spoonful brings out the yumminess of all flavors, perfect for warming up on a cool day or enjoying as a light, nourishing meal year-round.
Substitute with Chicken Breasts: Use 1 1/2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They can be diced and cooked similarly to thighs and will provide a leaner protein option.
Substitute with Butternut Squash: For a creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor, use 1 1/2 lbs of diced butternut squash.
Substitute Broccoli: Use 1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets. Broccoli offers a similar texture and can be frozen easily.
Additions:
Frozen Peas: Add 1 cup of frozen peas for extra color, texture, and a slight sweetness. They cook quickly and freeze well.
Fresh Spinach: Add 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves towards the end of cooking for added nutrients and a vibrant green color. Spinach can be frozen and added directly to the soup when reheating.
Corn Kernels: Add 1 cup of frozen corn kernels to the soup for a sweet crunch that pairs well with the lemon and turmeric flavors.
How To Reheat & Store Lemon Chicken Soup Freezer Meal
Best Way To Store Best Lemon Chicken Soup for Freezing Leftover?
To maintain the flavor and safety of your Chicken Soup leftovers, it’s imperative to follow proper storage protocols. Kickstart the process by letting your leftovers cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer them into airtight containers or resealable plastic bags, making certain that excess air is eliminated to thwart freezer burn or spoilage. Labeling the containers with the date is a vital step to monitor freshness.
How Long Will Lemon Chicken Soup Freezer Meal Last In the Fridge?
To ensure the freshness and safety of leftovers, it’s crucial to understand their shelf life in the fridge. Generally, leftovers can remain fresh for three to five days when stored appropriately. After cooking, allow the dishes to cool and then transfer them into airtight containers. Proper cooling and sealing minimize the risk of bacterial growth.
Can I Freeze Quick and Easy Chicken Soup Freezer Meal?
Yes. Absolutely!! We recommend making this recipe as a raw freezer meal. This means, you prep the meal, freeze, and cook fresh when you need it made. You may also freeze leftovers, however, the more times you thaw, reheat, and freeze, the more likely the texture and flavor profile will be impacted.
To make this recipe as a raw freezer meal, label a gallon freezer bag with directions and recipe, add all ingredients, except chicken broth, lemon, and coconut milk, to a labeled gallon freezer bag. Seal and freeze for up to three months.
How To Reheat Lemon Chicken Soup with Vegetables?
This recipe can be reheated in the microwave or stovetop. We do not recommend reheating in the oven. To reheat on the stovetop, place the leftovers in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until your leftovers are heated evenly to desired temperature.
If you wish to use the microwave, use a safe plate and place desired leftovers in the microwave, heat in short bursts of 30-60 seconds. Stirring between each internal to ensure even heating.
Nourishing Chicken Soup RecipeFAQs
Why do you put lemon in Chicken soup?
Adding lemon to a chicken soup helps to enhance the flavor with the refreshing tang that balances the rich, savory notes of the broth and chicken. The acidity of lemon juice helps to cut through the richness, creating a delicious taste profile for lemon chicken soup.
Lemon also helps to elevate the flavors of other ingredients making the soup more appetizing and vibrant. Lemon juice also provides nutrients like vitamin C, which can help provide benefits to your immune system.
Is Lemon juice in a bottle the same as real lemon juice?
While bottled lemon juice is very convenient, it is not quite the same as using fresh lemon juice. Fresh lemon contains natural flavors and essential oils that significantly enhance dishes like lemon chicken soup freezer meals. Bottled lemon juice often contains preservatives and may lack the bright, fresh flavor of freshly squeezed lemons.
Additionally, the processing of bottled lemon juice can result in a slight loss of nutrients. However, if you need to purchase bottled lemon juice, it can still be a helpful substitute. It is very important to make sure you are using high quality bottled lemon juice with no added sugar or artificial ingredients.
Why Should you drink lemon water first thing in the morning?
Drinking lemon water in the morning is super popular because of its numerous health benefits. Lemon water is an excellent source of Vitamin 3. The acidity of lemons help kickstart the digestive system, promoting better digestion throughout the day.
Also, lemon water can aid in hydration, as the flavor encourages people to drink more water. It has been proven that drinking lemon water can also balance your pH levels, which can help reduce inflammation and improve overall health and wellness. Incorporating lemon water into your morning routine can be a simple way to boost your energy and health.
Should you cook chicken soup covered or uncovered?
Whether you should cook chicken covered or uncovered depends on what your outcome is. Cooking your soup covered helps to keep in moisture, which results in a more flavorful broth. This is generally the way to cook a soup when simmering a chicken soup freezer meal, as it ensures the chicken and vegetables are tender and well cooked.
On the other hand, cooking the soup uncovered allows for some evaporation, which can intensify the flavors by reducing the liquid. This can be useful if the soup needs to be thickened or if the goal is to concentrate the flavors. For most chicken soup recipes, starting with the pot covered and then uncovering to adjust the consistency works well.
What gives soup the best flavor?
The best flavor in soup comes from the use of high quality ingredients and proper cooking techniques. Start with a wonderfully flavored base, such as a homemade broth or stock. Fresh vegetables, herbs, spices add a depth to the soup that melds together beautifully with the broth. Aromatics can also add flavor, so adding ingredients like onions, garlic, and celery, or sautéed in olive oil will also help.
For a lemon chicken soup freezer meal, the addition of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest can brighten the flavors and add a nice twist. Slow cooking these ingredients allows the ingredients to meld together, developing a more robust flavor. Proper seasoning with salt and pepper is crucial, but avoid adding too much salt, adjust towards the end to avoid over salting.
Does lemon help tenderize chicken?
Yes, lemon helps to tenderize the chicken due to its acidic nature. The acidity in lemon juice breaks down the proteins in the chicken, making it more tender and juicy when slow cooked. This added benefit of lemons is beneficial for leaner cuts of meat, like chicken breast, which can sometimes be dry and tough when cooked.
For a lemon chicken soup freezer meal, using lemon as a marinade or adding to the broth can help ensure the chicken remains tender and flavorful throughout the cooking process, even after being frozen or reheated.
What is the most important ingredient in any soup?
The most important ingredient in any soup is the broth or stock, as it forms the foundation of the dish. The foundation is always the most important piece, like in your home. A rich and flavorful broth provides depth and complexity to your dish, enhancing the overall taste of your soup. Whether using chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, always ensure that it is a high quality base for a delicious outcome.
For a lemon chicken soup freezer meal, homemade chicken broth made from simmering chicken bones, vegetables, and herbs can elevate a dish’s flavor dramatically. The broth adds flavor, but also helps to meld the ingredients together, creating a satisfying soup.
Why should you not add salt at the end of cooking soup?
Adding salt at the end of cooking soup can result in an uneven distribution of flavor and may lead to over salting the soup. Salt plays a crucial role in balancing the flavors of the ingredients, and adding it gradually throughout the cooking allows it to dissolve and integrate fully with the soup. This helps to ensure even seasoning and that all the ingredients contribute to the overall taste of the dish.
As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!
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