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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

4.5 from 358 reviews

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a comforting and hearty homemade soup featuring tender chicken breasts, finely chopped vegetables, and orzo pasta simmered in a flavorful broth brightened with fresh lemon juice and parsley. This easy-to-make soup combines savory and tangy elements to create a nourishing dish perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 sticks celery, chopped finely
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped finely
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Fats & Oils

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons flour

Liquids & Broth

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or to taste)

Proteins

  • 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts

Grains & Pasta

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo

Herbs & Seasonings

  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large soup pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped celery, carrots, and onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  2. Add Garlic and Flour: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Then sprinkle in the flour and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  3. Incorporate Broth and Chicken: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to dissolve the flour evenly. Add the Italian seasoning and the uncooked chicken breasts. Bring the soup to a boil.
  4. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and let the soup simmer gently for 15 minutes to cook the chicken through and meld flavors.
  5. Add Orzo: Remove the lid and stir in the uncooked orzo. Continue cooking uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is tender.
  6. Finish Soup: Take the chicken breasts out, slice or shred them, and return to the pot. Add lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper according to taste. Stir well and serve hot immediately for best flavor.

Notes

  • If you prefer a more pronounced lemon flavor, add additional lemon juice gradually to suit your taste.
  • Stir the orzo frequently while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • You can substitute the chicken breasts with cooked rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content if desired.
  • This soup tastes even better the next day as flavors have time to meld.

Keywords: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, chicken soup, orzo pasta soup, lemon chicken soup, easy homemade soup, comfort food