Amu’s Gingery Chicken Soup With Lentils & Potatoes

Name: Amu’s Gingery Chicken Soup With Lentils & Potatoes
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 whole chicken legs; 1 small yellow onion, quartered; 1 (5-inch) piece ginger, smashed; 3 garlic cloves, smashed; 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes; 1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed; 2 tablespoon neutral oil (such as sunflower or grapeseed); 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds; 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric; Plain yogurt, for serving; Torn cilantro, for serving; Thinly sliced Thai green chiles, for serving

Instructions

This combo of starchy red lentils, creamy potatoes, and fiery ginger is my ideal chicken soup. It’s the bowl my mom would make whenever I had a cold or tingle in my throat. The spicy pepper, warm turmeric, and perky green chiles quickly cleared up whatever ailed me. I hope you try it and make it a classic in your life, too. And if you’re on a real soup kick, check out my Spicy Chicken Soup With Sweet Potatoes & Cabbage, and fill up your freezer. Want to make it your own? Here are my tips for lazy, cozy soup: Make a broth with roughly chunked aromatics (use what you got—skin-on onions, flaccid carrots, wilty celery) and chicken legs, which are loaded with bones and connective tissue for deep flavor without searing or roasting. After a couple episodes of Crime Junkie, drain the broth and return it to the pot. If you’re done for the day, stick it in the fridge and reheat in a day or two. Or turn on another podcast and keep going. To the hot broth, add whatever you’re feeling. Yukon golds instead of sweet potatoes? Kale instead of cabbage? Let that simmer while you pick the meat off the bone. At this point you can portion it into deli containers and freeze for a rainy day. Before digging in, add sizzled spices, chopped tender herbs, or lemon juice or vinegar for some pep in your step. And have fun with toppings. Think creamy yogurt or sour cream, crunchy crackers or chips, and fresh chiles or herbs. You can make chicken soup with whatever you’ve got—no need to leave the house or even put on pants.

Updated at: Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:29:34 GMT