French Lentil Soup (Vegetarian or with Chicken)

For the soup:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter (I use salted butter)
• 1 medium sweet yellow onion diced small
• 2 medium shallots finely diced
• 4 medium cloves garlic finely minced
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dry oregano
• 28 ounces fire roasted tomatoes OR fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth maybe a bit more at the end
• 8 ounces roasted red peppers drained and finely chopped
• 8 ounces carrots 3-4 medium carrots, diced small
• 1 cup French lentils rinsed
• 2 medium bay leaves
• 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme or 2 teaspoons of each plus more for garnish

For the chicken:

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 egg white from large egg
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vinegar any kind - I use apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil