Slow-Cooked Chicken & Red Lentil Soup

Tender shredded chicken and silky lentils simmered into a gentle, protein-forward soup that’s comforting, filling, and easy on the stomach.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g total)
• 1/2 cup dried red lentils (about 100 g), rinsed
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 2 cups (loosely packed) baby spinach
• 4 cups (1 L) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Method

• 1

  Step 1: Start the gentle simmer

  Add the chicken broth, rinsed red lentils, diced carrot, cumin, olive oil, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper to a medium pot or small Dutch oven. Stir well. Nestle the chicken breasts into the liquid.

• 2

  Step 2: Slow-cook until very tender

  Bring just to a gentle simmer over medium heat (look for small lazy bubbles, not a rapid boil), then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for **2 hours**, stirring every 30–40 minutes to prevent lentils catching on the bottom.

• 3

  Step 3: Shred the chicken

  Transfer chicken to a plate and shred finely with two forks (smaller shreds stay softer and reheat better). Return chicken to the pot.

• 4

  Step 4: Finish soft and bright

  Add spinach and stir for **1–2 minutes** until fully wilted. Stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.

• 5

  Step 5: Rest, then serve

  Rest off heat for **5 minutes** (it thickens slightly and becomes more cohesive). Ladle into bowls and eat warm.

Tips

• **Chicken thighs option:** Swap breasts for **boneless skinless thighs** (same weight) for even softer texture; cook time stays the same.
• **Thickness control:** Red lentils naturally thicken the soup. If it gets too thick, add a splash of hot water or extra broth and stir until silky.
• **Make it extra gentle:** Shred the chicken very finely and mash the lentils slightly—this makes the soup easier to tolerate if your appetite is low.
• **Serving idea:** Great with a small piece of toast or plain crackers (keep portions small—this soup is filling).

Nutrition (per serving, estimate)