Recipes

(Recipe) Zesty Lemon Rice Soup with Chickpeas

23
May

Bright, tangy, and soothing all at once, this plant-powered soup delivers the cozy feel of a classic Greek avgolemono—without the eggs or dairy. Juicy lemon lifts tender basmati rice, chickpeas, and spring veggies while fresh dill adds a garden-fresh finish. The result? A light yet satisfying bowl you can whip up on any weeknight and enjoy for days. Packed with fiber, plant protein, and vitamin-rich greens, it’s a simple way to taste sunshine even on gray afternoons.

(Recipe) Zesty Lemon Rice Soup

Prep 10 min | Cooking 35 min | Serves 6

Ingredients

2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
2 large carrots, chopped (≈1 cup)
1 small fennel bulb, chopped (≈1 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (≈1 cup)
1 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
¼ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2 cups water
2 bay leaves
½ cup basmati rice
1 can (13.5 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
2 cups baby spinach
½ cup fresh dill, chopped
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)

Instructions

Sauté the aromatics
Heat the butter or oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, fennel, and onion. Cook, stirring, until the veggies soften—about 4 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper.
Simmer the rice
Pour in the stock, water, and drop in the bay leaves. Stir in the rice. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the rice is tender, 25–30 minutes.
Add the good stuff
Tip in the chickpeas, peas, spinach, and dill. Cook just until the spinach wilts and the peas are bright—2 to 3 minutes.
Finish with lemon
Stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed.
Serve
Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra lemon slices or a sprinkle of dill if you like. Enjoy right away.

Recipe Notes

Inspiration – This dish echoes Greek avgolemono soup but skips eggs, butter, and flour for a lighter vegan-friendly version.
Storage – Cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container up to 6 days. The flavors deepen over time.
Swaps –
- Short-grain white rice works fine; brown rice needs about 25 extra minutes of simmering.
- Out of dill? Try chopped parsley.
- For extra zest, add the finely grated zest of the lemon along with its juice.