Description
A comforting and zesty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup featuring tender shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and bright lemon flavors simmered together with orzo pasta in a savory chicken broth. This easy-to-make soup is perfect for a cozy meal and can be customized with greens like spinach or kale for added nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1–2 lemons (to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Additions
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, peeled and sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add broth and orzo: Stir in the chicken broth and dried oregano, then bring the mixture to a boil. Add the uncooked orzo pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente.
- Add chicken and lemon: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Continue to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is heated through. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Stir in greens (optional): If using fresh spinach or kale, add it to the soup at the end and cook just until the greens are wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or dill. Optionally, serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken with leftover cooked chicken or poached chicken breast.
- Use low sodium chicken broth to control salt levels in the soup.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
- Adjust lemon juice quantity to your preferred level of brightness and acidity.
- Adding greens like spinach or kale is optional but adds great nutrition and color.
