Chicken-Lentil Soup With Jammy Onions

A hearty and flavorful soup combining tender chicken thighs with red lentils, topped with caramelized onions and garlic. This Middle Eastern-inspired dish is finished with fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon, and a dollop of yogurt.

4 servings
1 hr

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, patted dry
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large large onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • ½ cup finely chopped parsley
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup Plain yogurt

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Lightly season chicken thighs all over with salt and set aside.

    2 min

  2. 2.

    Heat oil in a medium pot over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until garlic is golden and onion is deep golden brown and lightly charred around the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat and transfer onion and garlic to a plate with a slotted spoon; set aside for serving.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Return pot to medium-high heat; pour in lentils and sprinkle turmeric over. Cook, stirring a few times, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add reserved chicken and 6 cups water; season generously with salt and some pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and lentils are tender, 20-25 minutes.

    25 min

  4. 4.

    Using tongs, transfer chicken to a cutting board; let cool slightly. Shred meat with 2 forks or your hands; discard skin and bones. Return shredded chicken meat to pot and add parsley. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Ladle soup into bowls; drizzle with yogurt and top with reserved onion mixture, dividing evenly.

    3 min