5 from 24 votes
Creamy Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup
This Creamy Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup combines tender chicken pieces, diced vegetables, and small pasta in a flavorful broth enriched with cream and brightened by lemon juice and zest. Spinach adds a touch of greens, while Italian herbs and garlic deepen the taste. The orzo cooks directly in the broth, absorbing the savory and citrus notes for a comforting soup with varied textures.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
(at least)
Calories:
484 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs skinless & boneless, chopped into small pieces and rolled in about 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 onion diced
- 2 carrot large, diced
- 2 talks celery diced
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1.5 teaspoons italian herbs dried, or ½ teaspoon each oregano, thyme, basil
- 2 bay leaf optional
- 1 parmesan optional, rind
- 7 cups chicken broth (UK/Australia = stock)
- 0.75 cups orzo pasta dried (or other small pasta)
- 0.33 cups cream
- 2 handfuls spinach chopped
- 1 lemon small (zest & juice), equal to about 3 tablespoons juice
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Pan fry the chicken pieces in a large saucepan or heavy-bottomed casserole dish in a large drizzle of oil for a few minutes until all the pieces have turned white. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add a little more oil to the pan and saute the onion, carrots, and celery together for about 10 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the garlic and herbs to the pan and stir for a few seconds, then add the bay leaves and parmesan rind (if using), stock, and orzo. Add the chicken back into the pot. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the orzo is cooked.
- Finally, add the cream, spinach, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and serve!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Orzo is also known as risoni and can be substituted with similar small pastas like giant couscous, gnocchi, or tortellini, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- The soup is chunky but can be thinned with extra water if preferred.
Nutrition Information
Calories
484kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
34g
(11%)
Protein
25g
(50%)
Fat
27g
(42%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Cholesterol
138mg
(46%)
Sodium
1652mg
(69%)
Potassium
968mg
(21%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
6980IU
(140%)
Vitamin C
52.5mg
(58%)
Calcium
115mg
(12%)
Iron
2.9mg
(16%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 (at least)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 484
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 484kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 138mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 1652mg | 69% |
| Potassium | 968mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 6980IU | 140% |
| Vitamin C | 52.5mg | 58% |
| Calcium | 115mg | 12% |
| Iron | 2.9mg | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.