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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Featured in Comforting Bowls.

Cook chicken with carrots and celery in rich broth till tender. Add tiny pasta and let it simmer. Finish with fresh lemon juice, zest, and herbs. Keep some pasta water to fix thickness. Makes about six bowls of bright, warm soup that's perfect for cold days.

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Fatiha
Updated on Fri, 02 May 2025 12:23:36 GMT
A bowl of chicken orzo soup featuring shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and lemon slices. Pin it
A bowl of chicken orzo soup featuring shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and lemon slices. | zestplate.com

Whip up this zesty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup that balances lightness with satisfaction. It uses basic, nutritious ingredients likely sitting in your pantry right now. Anyone who enjoys lemony kicks in their meals will fall for this soup's bright, flavorful character.

Benefits of This Delicious Soup

Simple to throw together yet tastes fancy. It's light but won't leave you hungry, all thanks to that tangy lemon-infused broth. The orzo cooks in a flash compared to rice but gives you that same satisfying texture. Think of it as chicken noodle soup with a refreshing upgrade. You'll feel nourished while enjoying every spoonful.

Ingredients List

  • Olive Oil: One spoon
  • Garlic: Freshly minced
  • Onion: Half, finely diced
  • Butter: One spoon
  • Carrots: Two medium, chopped
  • Celery: Two sticks, cut small
  • Flour: Helps thicken your soup
  • Italian Herbs: Just a pinch
  • Chicken: Fresh breasts work best
  • Chicken Broth: Six cups
  • Parsley: Freshly chopped
  • Orzo: One cup dry
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed
  • Salt and Pepper: To taste

How To Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Serve it Up:
Ladle into bowls while hot. Sprinkle extra fresh parsley on top if you'd like.
Make It Lemony:
Pour in fresh lemon juice. Toss in parsley. Sample and adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
Fix the Chicken:
Remove chicken, chop into bite-sized chunks. Return to the pot.
Add Pasta:
Toss in orzo. Let cook another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking.
Let It Cook:
Lower the heat, cover pot but leave a small gap. Simmer 15 minutes until chicken cooks through.
Make Soup Base:
Gradually add broth while continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Add Italian herbs and place whole chicken breasts in. Bring to a gentle boil.
Add Flavor Base:
Toss in garlic, cook for 30 seconds. Dust flour over the vegetables. Stir for a minute to cook away the raw flour taste.
Cook Veggies First:
Warm butter and oil in a large pot. Add celery, carrots, and onions. Sauté 5-7 minutes until tender and aromatic. Stir occasionally.
A bowl of chicken soup with orzo, shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and a lemon wedge. Pin it
A bowl of chicken soup with orzo, shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and a lemon wedge. | zestplate.com

Vibrant Lemon Flavor

Lemon transforms this soup into something extraordinary. It brings a brightness that enhances the vegetables' sweetness and complements the chicken perfectly. Want more zing? Drop fresh lemon slices into your bowl. Some folks enjoy an extra squeeze - just keep a cut lemon handy at the table.

Effortless Evening Meal

Just right when life gets hectic but you're craving homemade food. Most ingredients come straight from your pantry. The orzo takes no time - much faster than rice or regular noodles. Everything cooks in one pot for minimal cleanup. You'll have dinner on the table in about 40 minutes from start to finish.

Flexible Ingredients

This soup works great with whatever chicken you've got - thighs or even store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time. Swap herbs based on what's in your garden. Go for reduced-sodium broth if you're watching your salt intake. Don't have orzo? Any small pasta shape will do just fine. The soup turns out wonderful regardless of these tweaks.

Meal Prep Option

Fantastic for preparing in advance. If you're planning leftovers, cook the orzo separately to prevent it getting mushy. Store in airtight containers. It stays good in the fridge for 4 days. Warm it up gently when you're ready to eat.

Perfect Pairings

Round out your meal with a side salad. It goes wonderfully with a chunk of crusty bread for soaking up that tasty broth. Try it with some garlic toast - it's amazing with the lemony liquid. Throw in some steamed greens if you want extra vegetables. There's plenty to feed everyone at your table.

A bowl of chicken soup with shredded chicken, carrots, orzo pasta, and green herbs in a savory broth. Pin it
A bowl of chicken soup with shredded chicken, carrots, orzo pasta, and green herbs in a savory broth. | zestplate.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Rather use dark meat?

Thighs work real nice. More juice, more taste. Takes same time too. Just trim fat first. Watch they cook through.

→ Soup too thick?

Add more hot broth. Stir while warming. Pasta drinks lots. Little water works too. Easy fix anytime.

→ Want no meat?

Skip the chicken. Use veggie broth. Add more veggies. Mushrooms work nice. Still tastes fresh.

→ Keeping leftovers?

Box it up tight. Good few days cold. Pasta gets soft though. Add broth when warm. Watch the lemon fade.

→ Can you freeze it?

Cook pasta less first. Freeze without pasta. Add fresh when warm. Soup part keeps good. Maybe new lemon too.

→ Getting too sour?

Less lemon next time. Add bit more broth. Touch of honey helps. More herbs balance. Taste as you go.

→ Taking it somewhere?

Keep pasta separate. Pack lemon fresh. Bring extra broth. Heat up there. Mix just before eating.

→ Need it quick?

Use cooked chicken. Quick cook pasta. Have lemons ready. Skip long simmer. Still tastes good.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need bigger pot. More broth handy. Watch pasta space. Might need more time.

→ Want more flavor?

Add fresh herbs. More garlic helps. Squeeze lemon fresh. Let chicken brown. Even wine works.

→ Pasta not right?

Cook it less time. Keep it separate. Add just before eat. Use fresh pasta. Watch it don't mush.

→ Needs more zip?

Fresh lemon peel helps. More black pepper. Try hot pepper. Fresh herbs work. Even garlic adds kick.

Conclusion

Like this? Try lemon rice next. Or make herb chicken. Both got that fresh zip.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Fast fresh chicken soup.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American, Greek

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2 sticks celery, chopped finely.
02 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped finely.
03 1/2 medium onion, chopped.
04 1 tablespoon butter.
05 1 tablespoon olive oil.
06 3 cloves garlic, minced.
07 2 tablespoons flour.
08 6 cups chicken broth.
09 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
10 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts.
11 1 cup uncooked orzo.
12 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste.
13 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, or to taste.
14 Salt & pepper, to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Sauté the celery, carrots, and onions in a large soup pot with the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat until the vegetables start to soften and release their aroma, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 02

Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, then sprinkle in the flour, stirring continuously for about a minute to form a smooth roux.

Step 03

Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring to dissolve the flour mixture, until smooth. Add in the Italian seasoning and the whole chicken breasts. Bring the soup to a boil.

Step 04

Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 15 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook gently and the flavors to meld together.

Step 05

Stir in the uncooked orzo, and continue to cook the soup uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender, about 10 more minutes.

Step 06

Remove the chicken breasts, cut them into bite-sized pieces, and return them to the pot. Add lemon juice, parsley, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  1. You can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs if preferred for a juicier texture.
  2. For those sensitive to salt, use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness.
  3. Leftovers may thicken as orzo tends to absorb the broth; simply add more chicken broth when reheating.
  4. This recipe is featured in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials hardcover cookbook.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large soup pot.
  • Knife.
  • Cutting board.
  • Measuring spoons.
  • Ladle.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 298
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
  • Protein: 29 g