This healthy lemon chicken soup is a light, protein-rich Mediterranean recipe made with skinless chicken, fresh lemon, eggs, herbs, and vegetables. It is ideal for healthy eating, slimming meal plans, balanced nutrition, and Mediterranean-style cooking in Malta.
Unlike heavier soups made with cream or starch, this recipe gets its silky texture from a classic egg and lemon mixture, making it naturally creamy while still light and wholesome. It is an excellent choice for anyone searching for a healthy soup recipe, diet-friendly comfort food, or a high-protein Mediterranean meal.
Whether you want a nourishing lunch, a lighter dinner, or a satisfying meal-prep recipe, this soup fits perfectly into a healthy lifestyle and weight-loss plan.
Quick Recipe Summary
- Recipe: Healthy Lemon Chicken Soup
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
- Serves: 6
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 50 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Diet profile: High-protein, slimming-friendly, Mediterranean diet inspired
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220–280 kcal
- Protein: 24–28 g
- Carbohydrates: 4–7 g
- Fat: 11–15 g
Why This Lemon Chicken Soup Is Healthy
This recipe is designed to support healthy eating and nutrition goals while still feeling comforting and satisfying.
Main health benefits
- High in protein from chicken and eggs
- Lower in carbohydrates than many traditional soups
- Made without cream or flour
- Contains vegetables, herbs, and lemon for added nutrients and flavor
- Fits well into a Mediterranean diet lifestyle
- Naturally filling, making it suitable for slimming and weight-loss diets
For readers in Malta, this recipe also aligns beautifully with the fresh, light, Mediterranean-style approach to home cooking.
Ingredients for Healthy Lemon Chicken Soup
- 500g skinless chicken thighs on the bone
- 1/2 small white onion, finely chopped
- 2 fat garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 1/4 cups (750ml) chicken stock
- 4 cups (960ml) just-boiled water, divided
- 3 extra large eggs
- 1 teaspoon finely grated unwaxed lemon zest
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill, or any other fresh herbs
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
How to Make Lemon Chicken Soup Step by Step
1. Cook the chicken
Place the chicken thighs, onion, garlic, celery, carrot, cinnamon, turmeric, bay leaves, chicken stock, and 2 cups (480ml) hot water in a large saucepan.
Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
2. Shred the chicken
Remove the bay leaves and transfer the chicken to a plate to cool slightly.
Using your hands or two forks, shred the chicken meat from the bones into small pieces.
Return the shredded chicken to the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat.
3. Make the lemon and egg mixture
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice until the mixture is pale, foamy, and smooth.
4. Temper the eggs
Pour 2 ladles of hot broth from the saucepan into a cup.
Slowly add the hot broth to the egg and lemon mixture, a few tablespoons at a time, whisking constantly.
Once the mixture has warmed, continue in a slow steady stream until all the broth is incorporated.
This step is essential because it keeps the eggs smooth and prevents scrambling.
5. Finish the soup
Slowly drizzle the tempered lemon and egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking the soup constantly as you pour.
Return the saucepan to low heat, add the dill, and cook gently for 5 minutes to allow the soup to thicken slightly.
Do not let the soup boil. Keep it at a gentle simmer only.
If the soup becomes too thick, loosen it with a little extra hot water.
6. Adjust the seasoning and serve
Taste and adjust with more lemon juice, herbs, salt, or black pepper as needed.
Serve in warm bowls with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Nutrition Benefits of This Soup
This healthy lemon chicken soup is more than just comforting — it also offers several nutritional advantages.
Chicken
Chicken provides lean protein, which helps support satiety, muscle maintenance, and balanced meals.
Eggs
Eggs add extra protein and create the soup’s rich, silky texture without the need for cream.
Lemon
Fresh lemon adds brightness, vitamin C, and flavor without adding many calories.
Vegetables and herbs
Onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and dill contribute natural flavor, antioxidants, and micronutrients.
Olive oil
A small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds healthy fats and reinforces the Mediterranean diet character of the dish.
Is Lemon Chicken Soup Good for Weight Loss?
Yes — this healthy lemon chicken soup for weight loss can work very well in a slimming meal plan.
It is:
- high in protein
- satisfying without being heavy
- lower in carbohydrates than many rice- or pasta-based soups
- naturally creamy without cream or flour
- easy to portion for meal prep
Protein-rich soups can help you feel full for longer, which makes this recipe especially useful for diet-friendly lunches and lighter dinners.
Mediterranean Diet Benefits
This soup reflects several core principles of the Mediterranean diet:
- lean protein
- fresh lemon and herbs
- olive oil
- simple, minimally processed ingredients
- balanced, home-cooked preparation
Because Mediterranean eating is highly relevant in Malta, this recipe is also a strong fit for local healthy food searches such as healthy recipes Malta, Mediterranean diet Malta, and healthy chicken soup Malta.
Healthy Cooking Tips
To make this recipe even lighter or more nutrition-focused:
- use low-sodium chicken stock
- trim visible fat from the chicken before cooking
- add extra celery or carrot for more vegetable content
- use fresh dill for the brightest flavor
- serve with salad instead of bread for a lower-carb meal
- add more lemon juice at the end instead of extra salt for a fresher taste
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup with:
- a simple Mediterranean salad
- steamed greens
- roasted vegetables
- a small slice of wholegrain bread, if desired
This keeps the meal balanced, light, and suitable for healthy Mediterranean eating in Malta.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze before adding the egg-lemon mixture if possible for best texture.
To reheat
Warm gently over low heat and do not boil, or the soup may split.
This makes it a practical option for healthy meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lemon chicken soup healthy?
Yes. This version is made with skinless chicken, eggs, lemon, herbs, and vegetables, making it high in protein and suitable for balanced nutrition.
Is this lemon chicken soup good for slimming?
Yes. It is filling, relatively low in carbohydrates, and naturally creamy without heavy cream, so it works well in slimming meal plans.
Can I make lemon chicken soup without cream?
Yes. This recipe does not need cream. The eggs and lemon create the silky texture naturally.
Is this recipe Mediterranean diet friendly?
Yes. It includes olive oil, lemon, herbs, vegetables, and simple home-cooked ingredients that align with Mediterranean-style eating.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare it ahead and reheat it gently over low heat.
{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Healthy Lemon Chicken Soup”, “description”: “Healthy lemon chicken soup made with skinless chicken, fresh lemon, eggs, herbs and vegetables. A high-protein Mediterranean diet recipe ideal for slimming, nutrition and healthy eating in Malta.”, “image”: [ “https://karma-clinic.com/images/healthy-lemon-chicken-soup-malta.jpg” ], “author”: { “@type”: “Person”, “name”: “Daniel Petre” }, “datePublished”: “2026-03-24”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT50M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H5M”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeCategory”: “Soup”, “recipeCuisine”: “Mediterranean”, “keywords”: “healthy lemon chicken soup, lemon chicken soup recipe, slimming soup recipe, Mediterranean diet soup, healthy recipes Malta”, “recipeIngredient”: [ “500g skinless chicken thighs on the bone”, “1/2 small white onion, finely chopped”, “2 fat cloves garlic, minced”, “1 small celery stalk, finely chopped”, “1 medium carrot, finely chopped”, “3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon”, “1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric”, “2 bay leaves”, “3 1/4 cups (750ml) chicken stock”, “4 cups (960ml) just-boiled water, divided”, “3 extra large eggs”, “1 teaspoon finely grated unwaxed lemon zest”, “6 tablespoons lemon juice”, “2 tablespoons chopped dill”, “Extra virgin olive oil”, “Salt and black pepper” ], “recipeInstructions”: [ { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place the chicken, onion, garlic, celery, carrot, cinnamon, turmeric, bay leaves, stock and 2 cups hot water in a saucepan. Season and simmer for 40 minutes.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove the chicken and bay leaves. Shred the chicken and return it to the pot.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Whisk the eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice until foamy.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Slowly whisk hot broth into the egg mixture to temper it.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Slowly pour the tempered mixture back into the soup while whisking constantly.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add dill and cook gently on low heat for 5 minutes. Do not boil. Adjust seasoning and serve with olive oil.” } ], “nutrition”: { “@type”: “NutritionInformation”, “calories”: “250 calories”, “proteinContent”: “26 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “6 g”, “fatContent”: “13 g” } } { “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is lemon chicken soup healthy?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. Lemon chicken soup can be a healthy meal when made with skinless chicken, eggs, vegetables, herbs and olive oil. This version is high in protein and suitable for balanced diets.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is lemon chicken soup good for weight loss?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. This recipe is high in protein, lower in carbohydrates than many traditional soups, and filling without being heavy, making it suitable for slimming meal plans.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can I make lemon chicken soup without cream?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. This recipe is naturally creamy without cream because the eggs and lemon create a silky texture.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is this soup Mediterranean diet friendly?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. It includes chicken, olive oil, lemon, herbs and vegetables, which fit well within Mediterranean-style eating.” } } ] }
