LEMONY CHICKEN-FETA MEATBALL SOUP WITH SPINACH

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Lemony Chicken-Feta Meatball Soup With Spinach image

Some might be suspicious of the rolled oats called for in this recipe, but used in place of breadcrumbs, they help create a light and tender chicken meatball. A half-cup more is simmered in the broth, which thickens it and provides a pleasant texture. The meatballs, made with ground chicken, feta and fresh dill, swim in a lemony, spinach-filled broth that's comforting and light, perfect for lunch or dinner. Serve any leftovers with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the soup.

Provided by Yasmin Fahr

Categories     soups and stews, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound ground chicken or turkey, preferably dark meat
1/2 cup crumbled feta
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 small red onion, halved (1/2 diced, and 1/2 grated, then squeezed with a paper towel to remove excess liquid)
1/3 packed cup fresh dill leaves and fine stems, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
Kosher salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more for serving
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
4 packed cups baby spinach (about 5 ounces)
2 lemons (1 juiced and 1 cut into wedges for serving)

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, add the chicken, feta, 1/4 cup oats, the grated onion, most of the dill (reserve about 2 tablespoons for garnish), the cumin, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon salt. Gently combine without squeezing too hard or overworking the meat. Lightly wet your palms and shape the meat into small balls, a little smaller than the size of a golf ball, about 1 1/2 inches. (You will have approximately 25 balls.)
  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or wide pot over medium until shimmering. Add the diced onion, season with salt, and cook until it begins to soften, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon turmeric and the red-pepper flakes, and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Push the onions to the sides as best you can, then add the meatballs. (They will be close together, and that's OK.) Cook until browned on two sides, 5 to 7 minutes total.
  • Pour in the broth and remaining ½ cup oats, then gently tilt the pot to the right and left to distribute the oats and broth without disturbing the meatballs. Bring to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain an active simmer. Season with salt. Cook, gently stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom, until the oats have softened and the meatballs are cooked through, about 4 minutes more.
  • Stir in the spinach and lemon juice until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes more. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Spoon into bowls, top with pepper and the remaining dill. Serve with lemon wedges.

Jill Robb
[email protected]

This soup was delicious! I used a rotisserie chicken and it made the soup even easier to make. The soup was very flavorful and the meatballs were very tender. I will definitely be making this soup again.


Sajjat Hossain
[email protected]

This soup was very easy to make and it turned out great. The meatballs were very flavorful and the soup was very satisfying. I would definitely recommend this recipe.


Mahmood bhatti
[email protected]

I made this soup for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the flavor and the meatballs were cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this soup again.


yasmine Pipel
[email protected]

This soup was a bit too salty for my taste. I would recommend using less feta cheese next time.


Eloho David
[email protected]

This soup was delicious! I used chicken thighs instead of breasts and it turned out great. The soup was very flavorful and the meatballs were very tender. I will definitely be making this soup again.


Joby Winfrey
[email protected]

I'm not a big fan of spinach, but I really enjoyed this soup. The lemon and feta cheese helped to balance out the flavor of the spinach. I would definitely make this soup again.


Koryann mccomas
[email protected]

This soup was a great way to warm up on a cold night. The flavors were very comforting and the spinach added a nice touch of freshness. I would definitely recommend this recipe.


Donna Romph
[email protected]

I love this soup! It's so light and refreshing, and the flavors are amazing. I always make a big batch and freeze some for later.


Nancy Ishola
[email protected]

This soup is a great way to use up leftover chicken. It's also very easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. I added some extra vegetables to mine and it turned out great.


onyeobia daniel
[email protected]

I was disappointed with this soup. The meatballs were dry and the soup was bland. I would not recommend this recipe.


Eliazar Fernandez
[email protected]

This soup was a bit too lemony for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. The meatballs were very flavorful and the spinach added a nice texture. I would recommend using less lemon juice next time.


Lila Limbu
[email protected]

I've made this soup several times now and it's always a hit. It's so easy to make and the flavors are incredible. I love that it's a healthy soup that's also packed with flavor.


Daniella Fuentes
[email protected]

This soup is amazing! The flavors are so well-balanced and the spinach adds a nice pop of color. I also love that it's a one-pot meal, which makes clean-up a breeze. I will definitely be adding this soup to my regular rotation.


Minion Bob
[email protected]

I made this soup last night and it was delicious! I used ground turkey instead of chicken and it turned out great. The soup was also very easy to make, which is always a plus. I will definitely be making this again.


Assem Mohamed
[email protected]

This soup was a hit with my family! The combination of lemon, feta, and spinach was so refreshing and flavorful. The meatballs were also cooked perfectly and were very tender. I will definitely be making this soup again soon.