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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Lemon chicken orzo soup is a healthy, refreshing, light, and filling meal that’s great for a weeknight meal that can be enjoyed all year round. It’s made using juicy chicken and orzo pasta in flavorful broth, celery, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, and other aromats and herbs. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest adds fresh flavor to the soup. No cream or cheese is added.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 303 kcal
Course: Soup , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried orzo pasta
  • 1 lb cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken diced or shredded
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup shallots diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ¾ cup carrots
  • ½ cup mushrooms button mushrooms, or cremini or portobello mushrooms
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh Rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon dried parsley or fresh parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups baby spinach or regular spinach chopped
  • 1 lemon zest
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot.
  2. Sauté shallots and celery until onions turn translucent.
  3. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two.
  4. Sauté carrots and mushrooms with constant stirring.
  5. Pour the broth, add herbs and seasoning – fresh rosemary, dried thyme, dried parsley, bay leaf, salt and pepper.
  6. Mix well and allow the broth to boil.
  7. Add dry orzo pasta. Orzo pasta cooks faster, read the packet instructions and cook it for 2.5 to 3 minutes less than the mentioned time to cook it al-dente.
  8. Since I used cooked chicken, I added it once the orzo pasta was cooked al-dente.
  9. Once orzo pasta is cooked al-dente, add cooked shredded chicken and mix well.
  10. If needed pour some more broth to adjust the consistency of the soup.
  11. Now add baby spinach or chopped spinach.
  12. Let it cook for 1 minute.
  13. Turn off the heat and add fresh lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  14. Stir well, taste, and adjust the seasoning as required.
  15. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
  • Always cook orzo pasta al-dente.
  • Do not overcook chicken, do not cook chicken breast for more than 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Chicken thighs will need extra time to cook. Remember chicken will continue to cook in the broth as well.
  • Feel free to include your favorite vegetables.
  • The recipe does not include cream or cheese, if you want to make it creamy feel free to add a little heavy cream or shredded Parmesan cheese at the end.

Nutrition Information

Calories 303kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 25g (8%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 62mg (21%) Sodium 239mg (10%) Potassium 545mg (16%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 3710IU (74%) Vitamin C 7mg (8%) Calcium 47mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 303

% Daily Value*

Calories 303kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 25g 8%
Protein 26g 52%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 239mg 10%
Potassium 545mg 12%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 3710IU 74%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Calcium 47mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.