Mediterranean Lemon-Herb Chicken & Root Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

• 6 oz Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 0.5 Yellow onion
• 1 small Leek
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 inch Fresh ginger
• 1 medium Carrot
• 1 small Sweet potato
• 0.5 Zucchini 0.5 Zucchini
• 2 cups Fresh spinach or kale
• 3 cups Water
• 0.25 cup Dried porcini mushrooms
• 1 tbsp Nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp Fresh dill
• 0.5 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 1 pinch Red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice the chicken breast. Chop all vegetables as specified. Mince garlic and grate fresh ginger. Place dried porcini mushrooms in a small bowl, cover with 1/2 cup warm water, and let soak for 10 minutes. Once softened, remove mushrooms, finely chop, and strain the soaking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve (or coffee filter) to remove any grit; reserve the liquid.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a medium pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and sliced leek, cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Brown Chicken: Add the diced chicken breast to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned on all sides. It doesn't need to be cooked through at this stage.
4. Simmer the Stew: Stir in the diced carrots, sweet potato, and zucchini. Pour in the 3 cups of fresh water (or zero-sodium vegetable broth if preferred) and the reserved porcini mushroom liquid. Add the chopped porcini mushrooms, dried oregano, black pepper, and nutritional yeast (if using). Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove the lid. Stir in the fresh spinach or kale, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley, and fresh dill. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the greens have wilted. Taste and adjust seasonings with more black pepper, lemon juice, or fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)