1medium sizedOnionchopped. Use yellow or red onion
1medium sizedcarrotchopped
3clovesgarlicminced. Or use 1 tsp garlic paste
3tbspTomato paste
1-2tspRed chili powderor smoked paprika (adjust according to your taste)
1/2tspTurmeric
1tspCumin powder
4cupsChicken Brothlow sodium or no sodium
2cupsShredded Chicken breast
1tspBlack pepper
Salt to taste
4tbspCilantrochopped, for garnish
1bunchScallionschopped, for garnish. Or 3-4 scallions.
3tbspolive oilor any cooking oil
Instructions
Wash and soak the red lentils for 15 minutes prior to cooking.
In the meantime, prep your vegetables. Chop onions, carrots, cilantro and scallions. Keep them aside. Mince garlic.
If you don't have shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken, follow instructions below to poach and shred chicken breasts.
In a medium pot, add the lentils with sufficient water and cook on medium high until the lentils are cooked fully. It should break easily once fully cooked. Keep it aside.
In another large pot, heat olive oil. Now add minced garlic and sauté for a minute, until the raw aroma disappears. Next add the onions and cook until translucent and soft.
Now add the chopped carrots and cook for another 3-4 minutes before adding all the spices: red chili powder (or paprika), turmeric & cumin. Give it a quick stir.
Next add the tomato paste and chicken broth to dissolve the paste. Bring this to a boil.
Add the cooked red lentils and chicken broth. The amount of broth depends on the consistency of soup you'd like. For a thicker soup use about 4 cups and for thinner consistency use around 5-6 cups. Bring it to a boil. Stir occasionally.
Once boiling, add the shredded chicken and let the soup boil for another 5-7 minutes before removing from heat. Season with salt & pepper.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions. Enjoy with bread or dinner rolls!
How to poach Chicken breast
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place them in a large pan/ pot. The breasts should cover the base of the pan. Don't overlap of over crowd.
Now add sufficient water to just cover the chicken (breasts should be completely submerged in water).
On a medium high heat, bring it to a boil. Once boiling, maintain a medium heat and let it boil for another 8-12 minutes or until the chicken breast are well cooked.
Once cooked, discard the water and let the chicken cool before shredding/ dicing.
Use as desired.
Notes
The nutritional value is for 1 serving. Please keep in mind that the nutrition value is a rough estimate and can vary based on the product used.