
Lemony Spring Chicken Soup with Chive Oil
April 13, 2025 by Kimberly
This clear chicken soup with tiny noodles and spring vegetables is true comfort food, inspired by the classic German wedding soup. With tender chicken, little noodles, fresh greens, and that finishing drizzle of chive oil, it’s the perfect broth for both special occasions and cozy Sundays. A timeless recipe full of flavor, ideal for spring, and a real bowl of soul-soothing comfort.
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TOTAL TIME
4 hrs + 45 min
SERVES
2 portions
DIET
omnivore
EVERY RECIPE DESERVES
A Little Love Letter
There are dishes that are so much more than just food. They are memories and little time machines. For me, that’s exactly what a clear chicken broth with all the fixings is. The one my grandmother always made for me when I was a child. In Germany, it’s called Hochzeitssuppe, or wedding soup. And honestly, the moment I hear the name, I can picture her standing at the stove, stirring that steaming pot of soup. It was this broth that filled her house with warmth and comfort. It was simply Grandma’s soup, and with every spoonful, you knew you were home.
Today, years later, I cook my own version. Still clear, still light, and with the same amount of love. Chicken bones, vegetables, and a little patience. But also with a touch of my own style. I love finishing it with my homemade chive oil, which makes the soup not only prettier but also a little more exciting.
This is not the kind of soup you throw together on the side. It asks for attention, a bit of devotion. And that’s exactly what makes it special. You take your time and in the end, you get something that warms not just your stomach, but also your heart.
And that’s why I’m sharing this recipe with you. Maybe it will become more than just a broth for you too. Maybe it’s the scent that fills your home when the first spring rain falls outside. Or the dish you cook for people you love. Just like my grandmother once did for me.

Hi, I'm Kimberly.
A hopeless romantic when it comes to food. Every recipe I share is a love letter to food itself. I’m so glad you’re here. Make yourself at home and stay a while.
Love,
Kimberly
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Lemony Spring Chicken Soup with Chive Oil
- Total Time: 4 hrs + 45 min
- Yield: 2
Description
This clear chicken soup with tiny noodles and spring vegetables is true comfort food, inspired by the classic German wedding soup. With tender chicken, little noodles, fresh greens, and that finishing drizzle of chive oil, it’s the perfect broth for both special occasions and cozy Sundays. A timeless recipe full of flavor, ideal for spring, and a real bowl of soul-soothing comfort.
GOOD TO HAVE ON HAND
- large pot
- small pot
- fine mesh strainer
- cheesecloth
- sharp knife
- cutting board
For the consommé version, you’ll also need:
- an extra small pot
- whisk
- small bowls
Ingredients
- 3 liters cold water
- 2 carrots
- 4 small yellow onions
- 1 leek (only the green part)
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1 tsp black pepper corns
- 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 kilogram skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 4 egg whites (only for the Consommé version)
- 10 stems green asparagus
- 1 leek (only the white part)
- 100 grams frozen peas
- 100 grams tiny pasta shells
- fresh dill
- fresh chives
- scallions
- 1 lemon
- homemade chive oil
Instructions
- Peel the carrots, trim the ends, and slice. Cut the roots off the onions and halve them. Separate the white and green parts of the leek. Wash the green part thoroughly and cut it into large pieces. Halve the lemon. Peel the garlic cloves. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat (no oil). Place the onion halves cut side down and let them brown. Then add the carrots, leek, lemon, herbs, peppercorns, and chicken thighs. Pour in 3 liters of cold water.
- Slowly bring the pot to a gentle simmer, do not let it boil. Skim off any foam with a spoon. Let it cook uncovered on the lowest heat for 4 to 8 hours, making sure it stays at a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam occasionally and add cold water if too much evaporates.
- In the meantime, prepare the chive oil and store it in the fridge until needed.
- Once the broth is done, remove it from the heat. Take out the chicken thighs, let them cool, and then shred the meat from the bones and set it aside for later. Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon. Strain the broth first through a fine mesh strainer and then through cheesecloth for a clear result.
If you’d like to turn your broth into a clarified consommé, follow the next steps. If not, jump to the section “Simple Version.”
Consommé Version
- Let the broth cool slightly so it’s warm but not hot. In a bowl, whisk 4 egg whites just until frothy. Stir them into the broth. Let everything sit over medium heat for about 15–20 minutes, do not boil, or the egg whites will curdle.Over time, a layer of egg whites will form and trap any remaining fat or cloudiness. Gently remove this layer and strain the broth again: first through a fine mesh strainer, then through cheesecloth. The result: a crystal-clear consommé.
- Reheat the consommé and season with salt (about 5–7g per liter). Keep it hot.
- Slice the white part of the leek into rings and wash well. Slice the asparagus into chunks or thin rounds. Finely slice the green part of the scallions for topping.Optional extra step for curly scallion strips: Slice the tube lengthwise and open it up. Place the inside facing up and gently scrape off the slimy layer with a knife. Slice into thin strips and store in a bowl of ice water until serving.
- Boil two small pots of salted water. In one, cook the noodles al dente. In the other, blanch the leeks first, then asparagus, and finally the peas. Place each component in a small bowl and set aside.
- To serve, layer noodles, vegetables, and shredded chicken into serving bowls and pour hot consommé over. Top with freshly ground black pepper, fresh dill, chives, scallions, lemon slices, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a drizzle of chive oil.
Simple Version
- Reheat the broth and season with salt (5–7g per liter). Keep it hot.
- Slice the leek into rings and rinse thoroughly. Cut the asparagus into chunks or thin slices. Finely slice the green part of the scallions for topping.
- Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles al dente.
- Add the leeks to the broth and simmer until soft. Then add asparagus and peas, cooking for another 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the shredded chicken and cooked noodles. Simmer everything for 1–2 minutes until heated through.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Serve hot in deep bowls, topped with fresh dill, chives, scallions, lemon slices, and chive oil.
Notes
- This soup takes time, but it rewards you with depth and flavor.
- This recipe yields about 2.5 liters of finished chicken stock. You’ll use 1 liter for the soup, the rest keeps for 2–3 days in the fridge or 2–3 months in the freezer for future recipes.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Passive Time: 4 hrs
- Cook Time: 30 min
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