Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup Recipe

If you’re searching for a bowl of pure, cozy comfort with a citrusy twist, you’ve just found your new favorite: Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup. This soup is bright, hearty, and kissed with lemon, making every spoonful a celebration of old-world tradition and refreshing flavor—just what you need for chilly evenings, lazy weekends, or anytime you’re craving a pick-me-up.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about the stars of this recipe. Each ingredient in Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup plays a little role in developing that perfect balance between hearty, tangy, and cozy. Pick up these basics and get ready to create soup magic!

• Chicken broth: Acts as the flavorful, savory base for the soup—choose a rich, homemade or high-quality store-bought broth for the best results.
• Eggs: Needed for both the spaetzle and to enrich the soup with luscious creaminess; fresh eggs make a noticeable difference!
• Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and zing, transforming the broth into something lively and refreshing without overpowering it.
• Olive oil: For sautéing veggies, lending richness without heaviness.
• Onion, garlic, celery, carrots: These classic aromatics create a deep, subtly sweet foundation for the soup’s flavor.
• Fresh dill: The final flourish—herbaceous and vibrant, it brings every bowl to life.
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper: For seasoning the dish to perfection, brightening the other flavors.
• All-purpose flour: The main ingredient for spaetzle, forming tender little dumplings as they cook in the broth.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds a gentle warmth and roundness to the spaetzle dough—don’t skip it, even if just a pinch!
• Milk: Helps bind the spaetzle dough, making each dumpling soft yet satisfyingly chewy.

Variations

Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup is endlessly flexible—you can easily switch things up for the season, your pantry, or dietary preferences. Here are a few reader-favorite ideas to inspire your own spin.

• Add greens: Toss in fresh baby spinach, kale, or chard during the last couple of minutes for a boost of color and nutrition.
• Make it gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour in the spaetzle for a trusted 1:1 gluten-free baking blend—just check the batter consistency before dropping into soup.
• Chicken upgrade: Add shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie works!) for extra protein and a heartier meal without extra work.
• Herb swap: If you’re out of dill, try fresh parsley or chives for a different herbal twist.

How to Make Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Spaetzle Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, blend the eggs and milk until nice and smooth. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring with a sturdy spoon (or your hands!) until you have a thick, sticky batter. Set the mixture aside to rest while you get the broth started—this pause makes the spaetzle irresistibly tender.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In a soup pot or Dutch oven, warm up your olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, stirring often until everything is softened and just beginning to caramelize—this step builds a foundation of sweet and savory flavors that make Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup so comforting.

Step 3: Simmer the Broth

Pour the chicken broth into a large pot and bring it to a gentle simmer. Once the sautéed veggies are golden and fragrant, transfer them into the simmering broth. Lower the heat just enough to keep everything gently bubbling, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Make and Cook the Spaetzle

Bring the soup to a steady, gentle simmer (not a full boil). Using a spaetzle maker, colander, or even a sturdy slotted spoon, press or drop little bits of spaetzle batter into the hot broth. They’ll sink at first, then float to the top when cooked—usually after 2-3 minutes. Give the pot a gentle stir to keep them from sticking together.

Step 5: Temper the Egg & Lemon Mixture

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and freshly squeezed lemon juice until frothy. Gradually pour in a ladle of hot broth, whisking all the while—this tempers the eggs, preventing curdling. Gently stir this mixture back into the soup for a silky, slightly creamy finish that sets Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup apart.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Season your soup to taste with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Ladle the steaming Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup into bowls and garnish with plenty of fresh dill. Prepare yourself for a hug in a bowl!

How to Serve Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup

Garnishes

A generous sprinkle of freshly chopped dill is classic and so aromatic for Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup. For an extra pop of color and zest, try a few lemon zest curls or a pinch of flaky sea salt just before serving.

Side Dishes

This soup is delightful on its own, but pairing it with a simple buttered baguette, garlic toast, or a crisp side salad makes it dinner-party worthy. If you’re extra hungry, serve with a plate of lightly roasted seasonal veggies.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup in wide, shallow bowls to show off those golden dumplings. Add a lemon slice on the rim, tuck in a dill sprig, or use mini soup tureens for an elegant, bistro-style presentation—kids will love it in mugs for cozy movie nights, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The spaetzle will soak up more broth as it sits, so you might want to keep extra chicken broth on hand for thinning leftovers when reheating.

Freezing

For the best texture, freeze the soup without spaetzle—simply make the dumplings fresh when you reheat. The broth and vegetables freeze well (up to 2 months) in a freezer-safe container; just let it cool completely first.

Reheating

Warm Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup gently on the stove over low heat, stirring now and then to prevent sticking. Add a splash of extra broth or hot water if the soup has thickened up in the fridge—then garnish with fresh dill to wake up all those lovely flavors.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried Lemon Chicken & Spaetzle Soup before, now’s your chance to bring some sunshine and tradition into your kitchen! This recipe is pure comfort with a delightful citrus twist—you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again. Enjoy every cozy, lemony spoonful!

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