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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Herb Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, and bay leaf, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify their fragrance for one minute.
- 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.
- Protein Transformation: Extract chicken breasts and deconstruct them into delicate strands using two forks. Return shredded meat to the simmering broth.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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