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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Name: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, raw; 1 cup orzo, raw; 1 onion, diced; 2 carrots, peeled and diced; 2 ribs celery, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups chicken broth, plus more as needed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/4 teaspoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon dried dill; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 1 lemon, juiced; 2 cups spinach, finely chopped

Published on April 23, 2023 by Stephanie Kay

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If you’re a fan of chicken noodle soup, you’re going to love this lemon chicken orzo soup. Filled with orzo pasta, fresh herbs, zesty lemon, and tender chicken, this soup is an elevated version of a classic noodle recipe, while being easy to make and packed full of protein too.

Lemon chicken orzo soup in a white bowl on a brown plate with a side of crusty bread

While there are a lot of things to love about this soup – including the fact that it’s light, bright, and full of flavor – my favorite part is that it’s high in protein, which makes it a hearty and filling meal. Soups are typically full of veggies, fiber, and micronutrients, however, most are not particularly filling as they lack the satiating nature that protein provides to a dish.

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So, if you love a good soup and want to make one that will serve as a complete and balanced meal with protein, carbs, fiber, and healthy fats, this lemon chicken orzo soup is for you!

Ingredients for lemon orzo chicken soup; chicken breasts, orzo, spinach, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, basil, dill, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper, lemon, and chicken broth

Ingredients for Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this orzo soup:

Chicken: The recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, however, you can use chicken thighs if you prefer. Or skip cooking the chicken and use 4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken instead.
Orzo: The star of this orzo soup. If you can’t find orzo pasta, another pastina (little pasta), such as acini di pepe, ditalini, or stelline pasta, will also work.
Lemon: A bit of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to add a punch of flavor.
Onion, Carrot, and Celery: A classic mirepoix mix to create the base of the soup.
Garlic: To add some depth and fragrance.
Herbs: A mixture of oregano, parsley, basil, and dill to season and flavor the soup. The recipe calls for dried herbs, but you can use fresh ones if you prefer. Just be sure to triple the amount if using fresh and only add them at the end of the cooking process.
Spinach: To add some leafy greens and color.
Chicken Broth: Chicken broth works best but vegetable broth will also work.

In addition to the above, you’ll also need some olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make it Gluten-Free: Swap the orzo for short-cut gluten-free pasta or rice, and ensure the broth is gluten-free.

To Make it Dairy-Free: No adaptations are needed, this soup is dairy-free.

Onion, carrot, and celery sauteed in a pot

How to Make Chicken Orzo Soup

This soup is incredibly easy to make and can be done in roughly 30 minutes, here’s a brief overview of what you’ll do:

Saute the veggies. Begin by sauteeing the onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil until tender.
Add the herbs. Add the garlic and dried herbs and cook until fragrant.
Add the broth and chicken. Pour in the chicken broth, submerge the raw chicken breasts in the broth, and allow to cook.
Add the orzo. Pour the dry orzo pasta into the pot.
Shred the chicken. Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the pot, place it on a cutting board, shred it into pieces, and then return it to the soup.
Add lemon and spinach. Add the spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and cook for a final few minutes to allow the flavors to come together.

You can find the full and detailed instructions in the recipe card below.

Cooked chicken breasts in soup broth in a pot

Orzo added to a pot with broth and chicken breasts

Red’s Nutrition Tip

Although soup is not always a balanced meal, this particular recipe is. The combination of chicken, orzo, and vegetables, creates a balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats and, therefore, it can be enjoyed on its own as a complete meal.

Shredded chicken in a pot with orzo soup

What To Serve with Orzo Soup

If you want to keep things simple, serve with soup with a big piece of crusty bread and butter (my personal favorite side to this soup), or along with a spread of bread, cheese, cured meats, and vegetables, and/or a simple green salad for a classic soup and salad combo.

FAQs

What is orzo soup made of?

A typical orzo soup is made of orzo pasta, onion, carrots, celery, and broth. Chicken, herbs, garlic, and additional vegetables can also be added.

What does orzo soup taste like?

Orzo is a form of pasta and, therefore, has a similar taste and texture to any other pasta soup. This lemon chicken orzo soup tastes similar to a classic chicken noodle soup, with a bit of lemon flavor.

What does adding lemon to soup do?

Lemon adds brightness to a soup by balancing out the otherwise salty, rich, and savory flavors. Adding lemon juice is a great way to fix a bland or tasteless soup.

How many carbs are in lemon chicken orzo soup?

This lemon chicken orzo soup contains 31 grams of carbs per serving. You can find all of the nutrition facts in the recipe card below.

Chicken lemon orzo soup in a white bowl with a spoon, topped with lemon slices, and a side of crusty bread

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Allow the soup to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

To Freeze: Place the cooled soup in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Warm thawed soup in a saucepan or pot on the stovetop of medium heat for 5-10 minutes until warm or in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

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