If you love Lemon Chicken, you will love this soup. This bright and comforting recipe has been on repeat in our house lately, and is done in less than an hour! It’s ideal anytime you’re craving a really cozy soup without a lot of effort.
Fresh parsley and lemon juice really brighten up the flavors of this chicken soup, while Orzo pasta adds heartiness, without being too heavy. If you are not familiar, Orzo is a tiny rice-shaped pasta. Because of its size, it works well in soups like this.
This zesty combination of lemon, chicken, veggies, and pasta make this soup a satisfying and nutritious meal.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Course: SoupsDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes40
minutesIf you love Lemon Chicken, you will love this soup. It’s ideal anytime you’re craving a really cozy soup without a lot of effort.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 sticks celery – diced small
2 medium carrots – peeled/diced small
1/2 medium onion – diced small
3 cloves garlic – minced
2 tablespoons flour
8 cups chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 pound uncooked chicken breasts
1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Garnish: chopped fresh parsley
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
- Melt butter and oil in a large soup pot and add the celery, carrots, and onions. Sauté over Medium-High heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add the flour and cook for another minute. Pour in the chicken broth and stir until the flour has dissolved, then add the Italian seasoning and chicken. Bring the soup to a simmer. Cover the soup, with lid slightly open, reduce the heat to Medium. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the orzo and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through. Stir often, as orzo tends to stick to the bottom of the pot. After 10 minutes, remove chicken breasts. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that chicken has reached 165 degrees, or is cooked through. When chicken is done, shred with two forks, and add back to the soup. Finally, add lemon juice and zest, if desired. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- We use Better Than Bouillon (Low Sodium) to make chicken broth. I find it easier than buying the boxes of broth.
- If you have leftovers, you may need to add an additional cup of chicken broth, as the orzo soaks it up when stored.
