Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Main Course, Soup
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Description
This soup starts by browning seasoned chicken thighs, which adds flavor and color. Aromatic vegetables including garlic, onion, carrots, and celery are sautéed, forming a flavorful base. Adding dried thyme, chicken stock, bay leaves, and fresh rosemary builds a layered savory broth. Orzo pasta cooks in the broth alongside the chicken until tender.
The soup’s finishing touch is fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley, which brighten the flavor and add fresh herbal notes. The resulting soup is lightly textured with tender morsels of chicken, soft vegetables, and small pasta, balanced by the citrus note from lemon.
Serve this soup directly after cooking for a wholesome, soothing dish that stands well as a light meal on its own or with bread on the side for dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs cut into 1-inch chunks, boneless, skinless
- salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion diced
- 3 carrot peeled and diced
- 2 celery diced, ribs
- ½ teaspoon thyme dried
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaf
- ¾ cup orzo pasta
- 1 prig rosemary
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped fresh leaves
Instructions
- Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken to the stockpot and cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the stockpot. Add garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in chicken stock, bay leaves and 1 cup water; bring to a boil.
- Stir in orzo, rosemary and chicken; reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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