Welcome to the first installment of “Will It Soup?” where Gippity takes decidedly not soup dishes and turns them into soup!
The Prompts
For the first recipe, I let Gippity determine what to make. I had a few raw chicken breasts sitting in the fridge, so I used that as a starting point:
Give me a list of recipe names that use boneless chicken breast.
Gippity returned with fifteen recipes, from Chicken Alfredo Pasta to Chicken Tikka Masala. I’ve omitted a few of the boring ones, but the list looked pretty good (mangos decided to rear their head again).
I’ve cooked a lot of chicken recipes, but some of these look like a lot of fun! Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes? That sounds interesting.
Which One Will Soup?
After trimming the list down to ten, I followed up with a second prompt:
Out of the following ten recipes, which one would be the least likely candidate to turn into a soup version?
The essence of gyros lies in the combination of grilled meat, fresh vegetables, and tzatziki sauce wrapped in soft pita bread, emphasizing textures and flavors distinct from what you’d typically expect in a soup.
The crispy edges of the chicken, the cool and creamy tzatziki, and the soft pita provide contrasts that wouldn’t translate directly into a liquid form without losing the characteristic appeal of the original dish.
However, with some culinary creativity, one could imagine a soup inspired by gyro flavors, perhaps a broth-based soup with shredded chicken, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and a dollop of tzatziki-inspired yogurt sauce served on top.
Bingo!
Give me a recipe for Chicken Gyros Soup.
Chicken Gyro Soup
Let's get creative and craft a Chicken Gyros Soup recipe that captures the essence of the classic gyro flavors in a comforting bowl. This inventive twist will bring the warmth of Mediterranean spices together with tender chicken and a hint of that iconic tzatziki coolness. Here we go:
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Tzatziki-Inspired Topping:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 small cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for drizzling
For Serving
- Fresh dill or parsley for garnish
- Pita bread, warmed and cut into pieces (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Soup:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, paprika, and cumin, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes (with their juice). Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer.
- Add the diced zucchini, red bell pepper, and cooked chickpeas (if using) to the pot. Let simmer for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
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Add the Chicken Back to the Soup:
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Add the lemon juice and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Simmer for another 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
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Prepare the Tzatziki-Inspired Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
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Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Dollop each serving with a spoonful of the tzatziki-inspired topping, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with fresh dill or parsley. Serve with pieces of warm pita bread on the side if desired.
Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Chicken Gyros Soup, where traditional Mediterranean gyro flavors meet the warmth of a homemade soup.
So, Will It Soup?
You bet it will!
The soup was a cozy chicken-and-vegetable affair that had me going back for seconds and thirds.
The tender chicken, zucchini, and red bell pepper were easy, familiar flavors that worked well in a soup. The tzatziki added a refreshing, tangy contrast to the warm, aromatic broth, and the lemon juice brightened everything up.
My whole family loved it, and I’m sure yours will too.
