Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced celery, chopped carrots, and diced onions, sautéing until they soften—about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Next, add the chicken breasts, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce into the pot with the vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring everything is well-covered.
Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce it to a simmer, allowing it to cook uncovered for about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Remove the chicken breasts from the pot once done cooking and stir in rinsed quinoa into the broth mixture. Let it simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy.
While quinoa cooks, shred the cooked chicken using two forks or chop it into bite-sized pieces before returning it back into the soup.
Taste your soup and adjust seasoning if necessary with more salt or hot sauce as desired. Before serving, stir in lemon juice if using, then garnish with fresh parsley for an added touch of brightness.