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Moldovan zeama chicken and noodle soup with lemon and herbs.

Moldovan Zeama (Chicken and Noodle Soup)

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A bright Moldovan chicken soup with egg noodles, vegetables, lemon, and fresh herbs.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Moldovan
Calories: 365

Ingredients
 
 

Broth
  • 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs skin removed
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 large carrot halved
  • 1 large yellow onion quartered
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 tsp kosher salt divided
Soup
  • 2 large carrots sliced
  • 2 stalks celery sliced
  • 4 oz wide egg noodles
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Equipment

  • Large stockpot
  • Fine-mesh skimmer
  • Chef's knife
  • Ladle

Method
 

Make the broth:
  1. Place the chicken, water, carrot, onion, garlic, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a stockpot. Bring just to a simmer.
  2. Skim the surface, cover partially, and simmer for 35 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
  3. Transfer the chicken to a plate and strain the broth. Discard the cooked aromatics.
Finish the soup:
  1. Return the broth to the pot and add the sliced carrots, celery, and remaining salt. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  2. Shred the chicken and return it to the pot with the noodles. Cook until the noodles are tender, about 7 minutes.
Brighten and serve:
  1. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the dill, parsley, and lemon juice.
  2. Taste for seasoning and ladle the soup into bowls. Serve with extra herbs and lemon.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 32gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 940mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Notes

  • For a clearer broth, keep the initial simmer gentle and skim often.
  • Cook noodles separately if you expect leftovers.