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This easy chicken lentil soup recipe is comfort food made in a pot. It’s packed with hearty lentils, juicy chicken, and sautéed veggies — all guaranteed to warm your soul.

Lentil chicken soup in a bowl

I always say that I feel like I grew up on soups and stews. My mom made them almost daily, so they’re such a big part of my Ukrainian upbringing. There are so many different kinds of soups we ate, but this chicken lentil soup (some might even call it a hearty stew) is one of my personal favorite creations. I love knowing how nourishing and protein-rich the lentils are, plus there’s something so comforting about a bowl of food that not only warms you up but is genuinely good for you.

Ingredients for lentin chicken soup

How to Make Chicken Lentil Soup

This easy lentil soup recipe starts with the usual ingredient suspects and a large pot.

  • Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot or dutch oven, sauté the mirepoix (chopped onions and carrots) in a bit of olive oil.
  • Add the chicken and spices: Next, add in the chicken, lentils, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Simmer the soup: Pour in the water and bring it to a boil on the stovetop. Then, drop the heat down to low or medium heat and simmer the soup for 40 minutes.
  • Garnish with the dill: Top the soup off with a stir of chopped dill (or fresh cilantro or parsley if you prefer), then remove it from heat. Ladle up a bowl and enjoy!

Slow cooker tip: For a set-and-forget option, cook this soup in a slow cooker over high heat for 4-5 hours. Or, throw all the ingredients into an Instant Pot pressure cooker and switch on the soup setting.

veggies in a pot
Lentil, chicken and veggies in a pot with bay leaves
broth with chicken, broth and lentils
Chicken lentil soup in a pot with dill

Tips for The Best Chicken Lentil Soup

A few foolproof tips will help you get the most out of this tasty and simple chicken and lentil soup recipe.

  • Chop the vegetables into evenly-sized pieces: Make sure your veggies cook evenly, so chop them into similar-sized pieces before tossing them into the pot.
  • Use bone-in chicken: Bone-in meat is full of collagen and marrow that make your broth taste so mouth-watering. I like to use chicken drumsticks or skinless chicken thighs. Chicken breast can work, too but the meat will be a bit drier.
  • Choose yellow, brown, or red lentils: For the best soup, I suggest you use red, yellow, or brown lentils. They cook down really quickly and add a pop of color. Red lentils break down and make the soup creamy, while yellow/brown lentils hold their shape better.
  • Substitute the meat (optional): If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken, use it! Shred it with two forks, then pop it into the soup with 5-10 minutes of cooking left! You can also use ham, too!
  • Opt for fresh herbs: Opt for fresh dill over dried dill. The flavor and color it adds are unparalleled!
  • Substitute broth for water: Up the depth of flavor by substituting broth instead of the water. You can use homemade chicken broth or Better than Bouillon.
  • Add in more veggies or spices: Spruce up the soup with more veggies – garlic, potatoes, celery, spinach, and kale are all great options. Spice variations include turmeric (especially for the color!) and smoked paprika.

Serving tip: No soup is complete without a slice of crusty bread. Obviously, this is the Slavic way! My favorite is a fresh baked baguette or focaccia.

Storing & Reheating Lentil Soup

I think Slavs are the kings and queens of storing soup so there is always a soup ready to go. Here’s how to store chicken and lentil soup leftovers to keep it ready to eat at a moment’s notice.

  • Refrigerator: Store the chicken lentil soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
  • Freezer: I don’t prefer freezing lentil soup as lentils get mushy when defrosted. Otherwise, the soup will store for up to three months in the freezer.
  • Reheating: If reheating a large portion, reheat the soup in a small pot on the stove. For a single serving, the microwave is an easy way to go.

More Soup Recipes

Recipe

Chicken Lentil Soup

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Servings
8 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This easy chicken lentil soup is comfort food made in a pot. It's packed with tender lentils, juicy chicken, and sautéed veggies — all guaranteed to warm your soul.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil for sautéing
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 large carrot chopped
  • 1 lb bone-in chicken
  • 1 lb lentils
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 10 cups water
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat a heavy pot with oil. Add the chopped onions and carrots and sauté until they soften and the onions turn translucent.
    veggies in a pot
  • Add in the chicken, lentils, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and pepper.
    Lentil, chicken and veggies in a pot with bay leaves
  • Pour in the water and bring it to a boil. Drop the heat down to low and simmer the soup for 40 minutes (note: you may need to add more water during the simmering process depending on how thick you like the soup).
    broth with chicken, broth and lentils
  • Add fresh, chopped dill and remove it from heat. Enjoy!
    Chicken lentil soup in a pot with dill
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Lentil Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 348 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 47mg16%
Sodium 935mg39%
Potassium 700mg20%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 18g72%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 23g46%
Vitamin A 1447IU29%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 56mg6%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Updated January 28, 2026

About Author

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Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.