Category, DifficultyIntermediate
Smoky Chicken & Red Lentil Stew
Yields4 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time2 hrs 30 minsTotal Time2 hrs 45 mins
 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
 3 stalks celery, chopped
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 2 medium carrots, chopped
 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
 ¾ cup dry red lentils
 ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
 1 tsp smoked paprika
 2 cups loosely packed baby kale
 Fat-free sour cream and chopped fresh dill for garnish (optional)
1

In 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, add chicken, celery, garlic, carrots, onion, chicken broth, lentils, lemon juice, paprika and 1 cup water; cover and cook on high 2½ hours or low 5 hours or until lentils are tender and internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°.

2

Stir kale, 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper into stew. Makes about 9 cups.

3

Serve stew garnished with sour cream and dill, if desired.

Chef Tip: For an easy, make-ahead dish, divide the soup into freezer-safe containers and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw the containers of soup in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the stovetop (or in a microwave-safe dish in microwave oven on high) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Ingredients

 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
 3 stalks celery, chopped
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 2 medium carrots, chopped
 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
 ¾ cup dry red lentils
 ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
 1 tsp smoked paprika
 2 cups loosely packed baby kale
 Fat-free sour cream and chopped fresh dill for garnish (optional)

Directions

1

In 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, add chicken, celery, garlic, carrots, onion, chicken broth, lentils, lemon juice, paprika and 1 cup water; cover and cook on high 2½ hours or low 5 hours or until lentils are tender and internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°.

2

Stir kale, 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper into stew. Makes about 9 cups.

3

Serve stew garnished with sour cream and dill, if desired.

Smoky Chicken & Red Lentil Stew