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Green Chicken Quinoa Soup with Mushrooms & Fresh Herb Paste

A comforting and nourishing bowl of soup featuring protein-rich quinoa, tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a vibrant fresh herb paste.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Soup Base
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or button work well)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Fresh Herb Paste
  • 1 cup fresh parsley
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 medium lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste Salt and pepper Using fresh herbs makes all the difference in this dish, but if not available, dried herbs can be used in a pinch.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent (about 4-5 minutes).
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking until the mushrooms are tender and lightly browned (approximately 5-7 minutes).
  3. Add the chicken breast to the pot, then pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and stir in the rinsed quinoa. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa and chicken are cooked through.
  5. Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it with two forks, and return it to the soup.
  6. While the soup is simmering, blend the parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
  7. Stir the herb paste into the soup just before serving, adjusting the seasoning if needed.

Notes

Avoid overcooking the chicken, or it can become tough. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to a month. Try adding spinach or kale for extra greens or substitute the chicken for chickpeas for a vegetarian version.