Golden Lentil, Spinach, and Chicken Soup - Instant Pot Recipe

Just a quick post, but I wanted to document a soup recipe I decided to try on a whim that quickly became one of my favorites! The lentils make this one hearty and thick, and it can definitely be made without chicken for a vegetarian/vegan alternative. I stumbled upon this soup after googling instant pot inspiration, so the recipe is written for an instant pot, but I have no doubt that cooking the lentils for a bit longer on a stovetop would achieve the same effect!

Golden Lentil, Spinach, and Chicken Soup

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil

1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)

2 medium carrots, diced (about 1 cup)

1 medium stalk celery, diced (about 1/2 cup)

4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tbsp)

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground turmeric

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 cup dry brown lentils, rinsed well in cold water

4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable would both be good options!)

8 oz (about 6 cups) baby spinach

1 cup shredded chicken

Instructions

1. Hit “Saute” button on Instant Pot. Add oil. When hot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Saute, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, turmeric, thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for one minute.

2. Add the lentils and pour in the broth. Stir.

3. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the release valve is in the “sealing” position. Press the “Manual” button and set the timer at 12 minutes.

4. The Instant Pot will warm up for about 10 minutes and then start cooking. After the 12 minutes is up, quick-release by flipping the release valve to “venting."

5. Once venting is complete, remove the lid of the Instant Pot. Stir in the spinach and shredded chicken. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. 

This soup should keep in the refrigerator for about 3 days, but it freezes super well! I routinely make large batches of this recipe, portion them out into bags, and then freeze them for later reheating. It's super hearty, comforting, and a great meal to warm you up on a colder day!