Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
Add the diced yellow onion, carrot, and parsnip to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Place the chicken breast in the pot and brown for 2 minutes on each side to develop flavor.
Add the dry French Puy lentils, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine with the vegetables.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until the lentils are tender.
Remove the chicken breast from the pot, dice it into small bite-sized pieces, and stir it back into the lentil mixture.
Garnish the dish with finely chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.