Hearty & Wholesome Lemon Chicken Farro Soup: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
There’s nothing quite like a warm, nourishing bowl of soup to chase away the chill on a cold evening. While January often feels like the unofficial “soup month” in many homes, at our house, it’s a year-round staple, especially when comfort and a healthy meal are on the menu. For years, I found myself sticking to a handful of tried-and-true recipes like a classic weeknight chili or a comforting chicken noodle soup. Delicious as they are, I felt the urge to put a fresh spin on an old favorite.
Enter this incredible Lemon, Chicken, and Farro Soup. It’s a delightful reinvention of traditional chicken noodle, transforming it into something truly special that has quickly become a new obsession. The key changes? Swapping out standard noodles for the ancient grain farro and infusing the broth with a vibrant burst of lemon. The result is a soup that retains all the cozy, familiar goodness of chicken soup but with an elevated texture and a bright, zesty flavor that makes every spoonful a pure joy.
This isn’t just any chicken soup; it’s a remarkably filling, deeply flavorful, and incredibly wholesome option perfect for when you crave a hearty, comforting bowl. It’s packed with lean protein, fiber-rich grains, and plenty of nourishing vegetables, making it an excellent choice for a healthy, satisfying meal that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Why This Lemon Chicken Farro Soup is a Must-Try
What makes this soup stand out from the crowd? It’s the harmonious blend of simple yet powerful ingredients working together to create a robust and refreshing experience. The tender chicken, the chewy farro, the aromatic vegetables, and the bright lemon zest all contribute to a symphony of flavors and textures.
The Magic of Lemon
Lemon is more than just a garnish here; it’s a star player. Adding both zest and fresh juice, the lemon provides a much-needed brightness that elevates the entire dish. The zest infuses the broth with a subtle, aromatic citrus note as the soup simmers, while a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens all the flavors, cutting through the richness of the chicken and balancing the savory depth of the broth. It adds a wonderfully fresh finish that makes the soup feel invigorating and light, even while being incredibly hearty.
The Wholesome Power of Farro
Moving beyond traditional noodles, farro brings a fantastic, satisfying chewiness and an earthy, nutty flavor that complements the chicken and vegetables beautifully. Unlike some pasta or grains that can turn mushy in soup, farro holds its shape and texture remarkably well, even upon reheating, making this soup an excellent candidate for meal prep. We’ll dive deeper into farro’s benefits and how to cook it perfectly in a dedicated section below.
Simple, Flavorful Ingredients
This recipe relies on a straightforward list of ingredients that come together to create complex flavors. Fresh vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery form the aromatic foundation, sautéed in the flavorful remnants of browned chicken. Combined with rich chicken broth and fragrant fresh thyme, these components create a soup that tastes like it simmered all day, but comes together in under an hour.
How to Make This Lemon Chicken Farro Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
Despite its gourmet taste, this lemon chicken farro soup is surprisingly simple to prepare. With just a few key steps, you’ll have a delicious, comforting meal ready in no time. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process to ensure perfect results every time:
- Season and Brown the Chicken: Start by seasoning your boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs work equally well) generously with salt and pepper. Browning the chicken in a heavy pot or Dutch oven creates a beautiful golden crust and, more importantly, builds a foundational layer of flavor at the bottom of the pan – known as fond – which will infuse the entire soup.
- Sauté the Aromatics: After removing the browned chicken, add a little more olive oil if needed and then cook your chopped onions, carrots, and celery in the same pot. These vegetables, often referred to as a mirepoix, soften and absorb all those delicious chicken juices left behind, deepening the soup’s overall flavor. Mince some fresh garlic and add it in the last minute of cooking to unleash its fragrant aroma without burning.
- Build the Broth: Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth or stock, then add lemon zest, fresh thyme, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing all the flavors to meld together beautifully. The lemon zest will subtly infuse the liquid, creating a brighter profile.
- Add Farro and Simmer: Once the broth is simmering, add the farro. This ancient grain will cook directly in the flavorful broth, absorbing its essence and becoming tender yet pleasantly chewy. Continue to simmer until the farro reaches your desired tenderness, typically about 20 minutes.
- Shred Chicken and Finish with Fresh Lemon: While the farro cooks, check the chicken for doneness. Once cooked through (165°F internal temperature), remove it from the pot, let it cool slightly, and then shred it into bite-sized pieces. Just before serving, return the shredded chicken to the pot and add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This final touch brightens the flavors and provides that signature tangy zest that makes this soup so irresistible. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Cooking with Farro: An Ancient Grain for Modern Soups
Are you already cooking with farro? If not, you’re in for a treat! It’s quickly become one of my absolute favorite grains, and it’s a star in this soup. My introduction to farro, and what truly got me hooked, was a delightful farro with chicken, kale, and coconut “salad”. Since then, I’ve found myself frequently substituting it for rice or other grains in everything from hearty soups and refreshing salads to vibrant grain bowls.
What is Farro?
Farro is an ancient grain that has been cultivated for thousands of years, particularly popular in Italian cuisine. It’s a type of wheat, but don’t confuse it with modern wheat varieties. It typically comes in three forms: whole, semi-pearled, and pearled. Whole farro retains all its bran, germ, and endosperm, making it the most nutritious but also requiring the longest cooking time (and sometimes an overnight soak). Semi-pearled has some of the bran removed, and pearled farro has all the bran removed, reducing cooking time significantly. For this soup, pearled or semi-pearled farro is usually preferred for convenience.
Nutritional Powerhouse
Beyond its wonderful texture and flavor, farro is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s an excellent source of plant-based protein, making this soup even more satisfying and perfect for building and repairing tissues. It’s also incredibly rich in fiber, which aids digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and contributes to a feeling of fullness. Furthermore, farro provides essential micronutrients like magnesium, zinc, and several B vitamins, all vital for overall health and energy production. You can find more detailed information on farro here.
Cooking Farro for Soup
While some grains are typically cooked by absorbing a specific amount of liquid (like rice), my preferred method for cooking farro, especially when adding it to soups, is more akin to cooking pasta. I bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil and then add the farro, cooking it until it’s al dente – tender but still with a pleasant bite – usually around 20 minutes. This method ensures that the farro is perfectly cooked without becoming overly soft or starchy within the soup. Its inherent chewiness is a huge advantage here, as it prevents the grain from getting soggy during the cooking process and, crucially, during reheating leftovers. This means your soup will taste just as good the next day!
Serving Suggestions & Customization
This Lemon Chicken Farro Soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple accompaniments. A crusty loaf of bread or a side of garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop of the flavorful broth. A light green salad with a simple vinaigrette would also complement the soup beautifully, adding a fresh contrast.
Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! You can add a handful of fresh spinach or chopped kale during the last few minutes of cooking for an extra boost of greens. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill at the end can also add another layer of herbaceous freshness. For a touch of richness, a swirl of heavy cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt stirred in at the very end can make the broth even more luxurious, though it’s perfectly delicious without. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other vegetables you have on hand, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or even a can of diced tomatoes for a slightly different flavor profile.
Other Cozy Soup Recipes to Try
If you’ve fallen in love with this lemon, chicken, and farro soup, then you’re likely a fan of warm, comforting bowls of goodness. Here are some other delightful and cozy soup recipes from our collection that you might enjoy:
- Potato and Leek Soup with Italian Sausage: A creamy, hearty classic elevated with savory Italian sausage.
- Easy Weeknight Chili: A go-to for busy evenings, packed with flavor and easy to customize.
- Ham and Lentil Soup: A surprisingly simple yet incredibly satisfying soup, perfect for using up leftover ham.
- Easy Chicken Ramen Soup: A quick and flavorful take on a beloved noodle soup, ideal for a quick comfort fix.
Essential Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
Having the right tools can make your cooking experience even more enjoyable. For this Lemon Chicken Farro Soup, here are some items that will come in handy:
- A sturdy Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot for browning the chicken and simmering the soup.
- A sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board for preparing the vegetables.
- A citrus zester and a citrus juicer for extracting maximum flavor from your lemon.
- An instant-read thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection.
If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen arsenal, check out these highly-rated tools that are perfect for making this soup and many other delicious meals:
Lemon, Chicken and Farro Soup
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil , divided
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken , can use breasts or thighs
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 2 carrots , chopped
- 2 celery stalks , chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 6 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup farro
Instructions
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Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in heavy pot over medium high heat. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper. Brown chicken, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from pot and set aside.
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Add remaining olive oil to pot. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until softened and just start to brown, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
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Add chicken broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and browned chicken to pot.
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Zest the lemon and add zest to the pot.
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Bring to a boil and then add farro. Simmer for 20 minutes until farro is tender.
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Chicken may be cooked through before 20 minutes are up, depending on the size or your breasts or thighs. Check with an instant read thermometer (chicken is done at 165°), or by cutting chicken open to see if it’s cooked through. When chicken is done, remove from pot and let cool slightly, then shred.
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When farro is tender, add shredded chicken back to pot. Add juice from half of the lemon. Taste soup, and if desired, add more lemon juice and/or salt. Serve hot.