Frosty Morning High Protein (Printable)
Hearty blend of chicken, beans, and fresh vegetables, perfect for cool mornings.
# List of ingredients:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts approximately 10 ounces diced
02 - 1 can 15 ounces cannellini beans drained and rinsed
03 - 1 cup frozen edamame beans shelled approximately 5 ounces
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 medium carrot peeled and diced
05 - 1 celery stalk diced
06 - 1 small onion finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves minced
08 - 2 cups fresh spinach leaves approximately 2 ounces
→ Liquid and Seasoning
09 - 4 cups low sodium chicken broth approximately 32 fluid ounces
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt or adjust to taste
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
# Steps:
01 - Warm olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrot, and celery. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute until aromatic but not browned.
03 - Add diced chicken to the pot. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning pieces occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides.
04 - Pour in chicken broth. Add drained cannellini beans, shelled edamame, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce temperature to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
06 - Stir in fresh spinach leaves and lemon juice. Continue simmering uncovered for 2 minutes until spinach just begins to wilt.
07 - Taste soup and adjust salt or pepper as desired. Ladle hot into bowls and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It keeps you satisfied for hours without that heavy feeling
- The protein content means sustained energy for busy mornings
02 -
- Adding the lemon juice at the very end preserves its bright acidic punch that would otherwise cook away
- Resist the urge to rush the browning step on the chicken because those browned bits contain serious flavor
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables into uniform sizes so they cook at the same rate
- Taste your broth before adding salt since different brands vary wildly in sodium content