4.5 from 12 votes
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
This Greek-inspired Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe is bright and sunshiny, infused with fresh lemon. Tender chicken, orzo pasta, and a medley of vegetables round out these delicious bowls of soup!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
357 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- ½ yellow onion finely chopped, medium
- 1 leek finely chopped, medium
- 2 celery finely chopped, stalks
- 2 carrot finely chopped, medium
- 4 garlic minced, large cloves
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 cups chicken broth low-sodium
- 1½ pounds chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning dried
- 3 bay leaf
- 1 cup orzo uncooked
- ¼ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- lemon zest of one large
- salt to taste, kosher
- black pepper to taste, kosher
- parsley to garnish, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Add chopped onions, leeks, celery, and carrots. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually pour chicken broth into pot, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add chicken breasts, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Bring mixture to a simmer. Cover pot, reduce heat, and let chicken cook in simmering broth for 20 minutes, or until cooked through and reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Then shred chicken into bite-size pieces or chop it.
- While waiting for chicken to cool, stir orzo into the soup and continue simmering until orzo is cooked to al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Add shredded chicken to the soup.
- Season soup with salt & pepper to taste, then stir in fresh lemon juice and zest. Once soup is all warmed, it's time to serve.
- Ladle hot soup into individual bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Offer additional fresh lemon slices if desired, for even more lemon flavor.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1
Calories
357kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
38g
(13%)
Protein
32g
(64%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
(29%)
Cholesterol
76mg
(25%)
Sodium
1362mg
(57%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 357
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 357kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Cholesterol | 76mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 1362mg | 57% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.