Description
Hearty chicken orzo tomato soup delivers Mediterranean comfort in a single spoonful. Savory herbs, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked orzo combine to create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (28 oz / 794 g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups baby spinach or chopped kale (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium temperature. Incorporate onion, carrot, and celery, gently transforming them until they become tender and translucent. Introduce garlic and allow it to release its fragrant essence.
- Infuse Herbal Essence: Sprinkle basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes into the vegetable mixture. Pour crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, elevating the liquid to a gentle simmer.
- Integrate Orzo and Protein: Cascade uncooked orzo into the bubbling liquid, reducing heat to allow gentle cooking. After approximately 10 minutes, when orzo reaches perfect tenderness, fold in shredded chicken and leafy greens.
- Finalize and Enhance: Brighten the soup with a splash of lemon juice, then calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow the soup to harmonize its flavors for a few moments before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs and a delicate dusting of Parmesan cheese if desired, creating a comforting and vibrant culinary experience.
Notes
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Stir orzo frequently while cooking to prevent sticking and achieve perfect al dente consistency without becoming mushy.
- Use rotisserie chicken or quickly poach chicken breasts for tender, flavorful shredded meat that absorbs soup’s seasoning.
- Adjust chicken broth quantity based on desired soup thickness, adding more for a lighter consistency or reducing for a heartier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg