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    Home » Recipes » Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

    Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

    Oct 3, 2017 · Modified: Feb 26, 2021 by Mackenzie Ryan · This post may contain affiliate links | Disclosure policy in footer.

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    A wooden spoon stirring a pot of couscous vegetable soup. Recipe title above it is on a gold background.

    Enjoy soup even in the warmer months with this bright and fresh Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables. Plus, it makes a great get-well soup when you're feeling unwell.

    Lemony Couscous soup in a Le Creuset dutch oven with wooden spoon

    Soup is probably the thing that we most often cook. When the first winds of autumn start breezing through town, our dutch oven hardly leaves the cooktop because it's in constant use until spring. Once spring and summer come though, unless it's someone has a cold, I don't get to enjoy one of my all-time favorite meals - soup and crusty bread. Meet the cure in this Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables. It's a great way to enjoy delicious soup even in the warmer months!

    Skills & Techniques

    Make this Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables recipe to perfection by gaining mastery in these culinary skills.

    • Make Your Own Chicken Stock.  This is a 5-part series on how to make your chicken stock to perfection!
    • Poaching, Simmering, and Boiling: Cooking Methods 101.  This soup has delicate temperature control to prevent the couscous from overcooking. Learn how to tell the difference.
    • How To Buy & Store Fresh Herbs.  This recipe isn't complete without the fresh basil, which can be tricky to keep fresh. Learn all my tips for what to look for when buying it and how to keep it fresh.
    • Basic Guide to Citrus Juicers.  Get the most out of your lemons and find the right citrus juicer for you.
    • How To Buy & Store Citrus.  Since lemons are a key ingredient in this soup, learn how to find the juiciest ones at the market.
    Overhead image of lemony Couscous soup in a white bowl with spoon and bread

    Storage and Leftovers

    Unless you're making this soup for a crowd, it's unlikely that you'll eat it all in one sitting. You can keep the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days covered in your soup pot, or 5 days in an airtight container.

    To reheat your Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables, I recommend:

    1. Place your soup into a pot and place over low heat.
    2. Bring to a rolling simmer (about 20 minutes) then remove from heat and serve.

    Make sure to keep the heat low so you don't boil in the lemon and make the soup bitter. Also, for the freshest flavor possible, I recommend topping your soup with extra freshly cut basil.

    Close up of lemony Couscous soup in a white bowl with spoon and bread

    Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

    This soup is my go-to recipe for when someone is feeling sick or under the weather. It's also one of my favorites to gift to friends and family when they go through great changes (new baby, funeral, moving, etc...). No matter what the season is, this soup hits the spot.


    Get your free printable grocery list for this Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables recipe HERE.


    This grocery list has everything you’ll need to make this Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables recipe. To help in making grocery shopping simple, each ingredient is listed in easy-to-find grocery store amounts. If there is no amount specified, that means that you can buy the smallest (or largest) container available and still have plenty left over.

    If you would like to try some of my other favorite soups, I recommend:

    • Caramelized Leek and Asparagus Bisque with Fried Oysters
    • Bacon & Rosemary Soup with Mushrooms

    Happy Cooking! 🙂

    A bowl of couscous soup with a spoon coming out. Crusty bread sits next to it for dipping.
    5 from 2 votes

    Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

    Whatever the weather, this Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables is sure to hit the spot.  Serve it with some toasted garlic rubbed bread and make it a meal sure to help you feel better in no time!
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Mackenzie Ryan
    8 servings
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
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    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 leek, trimmed and cut into quarters lengthwise
    • 1 lb. carrots, peeled and diced
    • 1 lb. turnips, peeled and diced
    • 6 cloves of garlic, minced
    • 1 lb. cooked chicken, shredded or diced
    • 2 quarts of chicken stock
    • 2 tsp. Herbs de Provence
    • 1 c. Israeli Couscous
    • 2 zucchini, trimmed, quartered and chopped
    • 2 large lemons, zested and juiced
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • 1 c. peas
    • ½ c. basil, cut into ribbons

    Instructions

    • In the bottom of a large heavy bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Stir in the leeks, carrots, and turnips and cook until the leeks just start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
    • Stir in the garlic and cooked chicken and cook for 3 more minute, or until the garlic becomes extremely fragrant.
    • Pour in one cup of the chicken stock and use your utensil to scrape up any caramelized bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot.  Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the rest of the chicken stock and the herbs de Provence.  Let cook until the broth has reached a strong simmer, about 10 minutes.
    • Pour in the Couscous and zucchini and cook for 10 minutes.  Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper.  Turn off the heat and stir in the peas.  Let rest for 3 minutes
    • Immediately before serving sprinkle each serving with a tablespoon of freshly chopped basil.

    Notes

    Adapted from this soup recipe from The Cozy Kitchen

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 34.4g | Protein: 26.2g | Fat: 4.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 626.6mg | Fiber: 4.3g | Sugar: 8g
    Tell me how much you love this recipeand show off how you made it!
    Nutrition Facts
    Lemony Couscous Soup with Chicken and Spring Vegetables
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
    Calories 289 Calories from Fat 39
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 4.3g7%
    Saturated Fat 0.9g6%
    Cholesterol 48mg16%
    Sodium 626.6mg27%
    Carbohydrates 34.4g11%
    Fiber 4.3g18%
    Sugar 8g9%
    Protein 26.2g52%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patti says

      October 04, 2017 at 12:11 am

      This is a delicious combination of flavors. I love leeks in soup. They really add a lot of flavor. I also really love your choice of Israeli couscous for the pasta. I can't wait to make this.

      Reply
      • Mackenzie Ryan says

        October 08, 2017 at 5:12 pm

        I'm right there with you, Patti! The leeks and the couscous just make for such a fun change up a chicken and veggie soup!

        Reply
    2. Jenni LeBaron says

      October 03, 2017 at 9:18 pm

      This sounds wonderful on a cold, blustery day and a nice alternative to chicken noodle. I also love your photography!

      Reply
      • Mackenzie Ryan says

        October 08, 2017 at 5:15 pm

        Thank you, Jenni! I love how easily this soup moves between seasons and can be easily enjoyed year round!

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Mackenzie! If you're looking for a modern culinary education at home, then you've come to the right place. Let me help you become your own master chef by learning professional cooking techniques without the cost of culinary school! Learn more about me and the blog.

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