Description

Hearty Curried Chicken Lentil and Rice Soup with Spinach is a warm, flavorful, and nutritious one-pot meal perfect for chilly days. Combining tender chicken, protein-rich lentils, fluffy rice, vibrant spinach, and aromatic curry spices, this soup offers comforting textures and nourishing ingredients ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed

Grains

½ cup long grain or basmati rice, rinsed

Vegetables and Aromatics

3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Oils

6 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil

Spices and Seasoning

2 tbsp curry powder (adjust to taste)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant to build a rich flavor base.
Brown the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot, searing them until lightly golden but not fully cooked through. This locks in juices and develops taste complexity.
Add Spices and Liquids: Stir in curry powder, coating the chicken evenly. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pot, then bring everything to a simmer.
Cook Lentils and Rice: Add the rinsed lentils and rice to the simmering pot. Cover and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the lentils and rice are tender, adjusting cooking time as needed.
Stir in Spinach and Season: Fold in fresh spinach once the lentils and rice are cooked. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, letting the greens wilt gently before serving.

Notes

Rinse lentils thoroughly and pick out any debris before cooking for a cleaner finish.
Stir occasionally while simmering to avoid rice sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Adjust broth quantity if you prefer a thinner soup by adding more broth or water during cooking.
Use fresh curry powder for vibrant, potent flavors; avoid stale spices.
Add spinach at the end to keep it bright green and tender without overcooking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soups
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: International

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: curried chicken soup, lentil soup, rice soup, spinach soup, healthy soup, one pot meal, gluten free soup