Cozy Up with Our Soul-Warming Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

Steaming bowls of lemon chicken orzo soup warm the soul on chilly evenings.

This Mediterranean-inspired comfort dish brings together tender chicken and bright citrus notes in a delightful dance of flavors.

Aromatic herbs and soft orzo pasta create a hearty base that feels like a comforting hug.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of protein and zesty brightness.

The soup’s light yet satisfying nature makes it ideal for quick weeknight dinners or lazy weekend meals.

Packed with nutrition and bursting with vibrant ingredients, this soup promises to become a new family favorite that everyone will request again and again.

Tips and Flavor Variations for Chicken Orzo

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth to maintain soup's creamy consistency.
• Swap chicken with rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation or use turkey for a different flavor profile. Vegetarians can replace chicken with white beans or tofu for protein boost.
• Replace orzo with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to create a low-carb friendly version. This substitution reduces calories while maintaining delicious soup texture.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, basil, or oregano instead of dried seasonings. Fresh herbs elevate the soup's brightness and provide more complex flavor layers.
• This soup freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Freeze without spinach and add fresh leaves when reheating to prevent wilting and maintain vibrant green color.

How to Serve Chicken Orzo Soup

• Zesty Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty soup with a crisp garden salad dressed in light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Bread Lovers' Delight: Serve alongside warm, crusty sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the delicious lemony broth.
• Protein Power-Up: Top each bowl with crumbled feta cheese or toasted pine nuts for added texture and nutritional boost.
• Comfort Meal Enhancement: Enjoy with a glass of chilled white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the soup's bright, citrusy flavors.

Chicken Orzo Soup Storage Advice

• Store leftover soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The chicken and orzo maintain their delicious texture when properly chilled.
• Prepare larger batches by freezing soup portions in sealed freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Separate liquid and solid ingredients prevents texture breakdown during freezing and thawing processes.
• Gently warm soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add splash of chicken broth if soup appears too thick after refrigeration to restore original consistency.
• Keep spinach and fresh herbs separate from soup when storing. Add these delicate ingredients fresh when reheating to maintain vibrant color, crisp texture, and maximum nutritional value.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 6

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Ingredient List

• Onion: Provides sweet, aromatic foundation for soup's depth of flavor; choose firm, glossy bulbs without soft spots.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color; select bright orange, crisp carrots without blemishes.
• Celery: Contributes subtle herbal note and classic soup texture; pick stalks that are firm and bright green.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor boost; look for plump, tight-skinned cloves without sprouts.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates hearty soup base; opt for fresh, trimmed meat without discoloration.
• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid foundation with rich flavor; select low-sodium version for better seasoning control.

• Dried Thyme: Introduces earthy, woodsy undertone; ensure herbs are fragrant and not dusty.
• Dried Oregano: Provides Mediterranean-inspired herbal essence; check for bright green color.
• Bay Leaf: Imparts subtle, complex background note; use whole leaf for easy removal.

• Lemon: Brightens entire dish with tangy freshness; choose firm, heavy citrus with smooth skin.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds vibrant green color and nutritional boost; select crisp, dark green leaves.
• Fresh Parsley: Delivers fresh, clean garnish; pick bright green, perky sprigs.

• Orzo: Creates satisfying, hearty texture; select uniform, ivory-colored pasta.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile;.

Tools to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the entire soup, with enough space to combine all ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring vegetables and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, celery, and preparing other ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure broth, herbs, and seasonings.
• Two forks: Used for shredding cooked chicken quickly and easily.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup evenly into individual bowls.
• Grater or zester: Useful for obtaining fresh lemon zest.

Cooking Method for Chicken Orzo Soup

• Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a big pot and toss in onions, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften for about 5 minutes until they become tender and fragrant.

• Awaken the Aromatics

Sprinkle in garlic, thyme, oregano, and drop in a bay leaf. Stir quickly to release their magical essence and create a mouthwatering foundation.

• Build the Broth Foundation

Pour chicken broth into the pot and bring everything to a rolling boil. Gently add chicken breasts, then lower the heat to let everything simmer peacefully, covered, until the chicken is perfectly cooked.

• Transform the Chicken

Pull out the chicken and shred it into delicate, bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return the tender strands back to the simmering liquid.

• Introduce the Orzo

Scatter orzo into the pot and let it cook until it’s soft and dreamy, absorbing all the rich flavors around it.

• Brighten with Citrus and Greens

Zest and squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup. Toss in spinach leaves and watch them melt into the liquid, creating a vibrant green swirl.

• Final Touch

Season with salt and pepper, fish out the bay leaf, and ladle the sunshine-filled soup into bowls. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.

Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mediterranean comfort flows through this lemon chicken orzo soup, offering a zesty embrace of hearty flavors. Fragrant herbs and tender chicken mingle with delicate orzo, inviting you to savor a nourishing bowl of pure culinary warmth.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 pound (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup (200 g) uncooked orzo pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Aromatics Preparation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame. Incorporate diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence, approximately 5 minutes.
2. Herb Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, and bay leaf, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify their fragrance for one minute.
3. Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth into the pot, elevating the heat to create a gentle boil. Nestle chicken breasts into the liquid, reducing temperature to a delicate simmer and covering to ensure even cooking until chicken reaches perfect tenderness, about 15-20 minutes.
4. Protein Transformation: Extract chicken breasts and deconstruct them into delicate strands using two forks. Return shredded meat to the simmering broth.
5. Pasta Integration: Fold in uncooked orzo, allowing it to dance and soften within the liquid for 8-10 minutes until reaching ideal al dente consistency.
6. Bright Finishing: Awaken the soup’s flavor profile by stirring in vibrant lemon zest and juice. Gently fold fresh spinach leaves, letting them wilt and contribute their verdant essence.
7. Final Touches: Calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Eliminate bay leaf and present the soup in warm bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a touch of elegance.

Notes

• Dice vegetables uniformly for even cooking and to ensure consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Simmer chicken gently to prevent toughening and maintain juicy, delicate meat texture.
• Watch orzo carefully during cooking to prevent overcooking, which can make soup starchy and mushy.
• Add lemon juice at the end to preserve fresh citrus flavor and prevent bitterness from prolonged cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 60mg