Chicken Quinoa Soup

4.5
(2)

Quinoa is a tasty, protein-filled grain that makes a great addition to chicken soup! Add some carrots, celery, spinach, onions and bell peppers for amazing color and flavor. My husband loves this with multigrain crackers, but I think it's great as-is!

3
Prep Time:
40 mins
Cook Time:
53 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 33 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 servings
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups water

  • 1 cup quinoa

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided

  • 5 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 yellow onion, chopped

  • 1 cup chopped carrots

  • 1 cup chopped celery

  • ½ cup chopped red bell pepper

  • ½ cup chopped yellow bell pepper

  • 2 tablespoons chopped garlic

  • 8 cups chicken broth

  • 2 cups chopped spinach leaves

  • ½ teaspoon dried marjoram

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon dried basil

  • ½ teaspoon crushed bay leaf

  • cup cornstarch

  • ¼ cup cold water

Directions

  1. Bring 3 cups water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

  2. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.

  3. Heat remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and garlic; cook and stir until soft, about 10 minutes.

  4. Pour chicken broth into the Dutch oven. Add spinach leaves, marjoram, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until flavors combine, about 10 minutes. Stir in cooked quinoa. Return chicken to the Dutch oven; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.

  5. Dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl. Pour slowly into the Dutch oven; cook, stirring occasionally, until soup thickens, about 1 minute.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

214 Calories
4g Fat
26g Carbs
18g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 214
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Sodium 90mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 18g 36%
Vitamin C 37mg 41%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 467mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.