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4.9 from 39 votes

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

This lemon chicken orzo soup combines fresh veggies, orzo pasta and shredded chicken in a lemony broth. It's healthy, comforting and packed full of flavor.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 362 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion peeled and diced
  • 1 ½ cup carrots peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth plus more if desired
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon pepper plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta whole-wheat or regular
  • 4 cups curly green kale chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves finely chopped
  • Juice of two lemons
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Stove Top
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and heat over medium-high heat to warm. Add the onion, carrots and celery to Dutch oven and sauté for about 7 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften. Stir intermittently. Add the garlic and sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes.
  2. Add the chicken broth, bay in leaves, oregano, thyme, rosemary, pepper, salt, and chicken.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
  4. When chicken is fully cooked, remove from pot and shred using two forks.
  5. Return soup to a simmer, add orzo, cook for 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally to prevent orzo from sticking. Want orzo to be al dente.
  6. Add chicken back in along with kale, parsley and lemon juice.
  7. Cook 3-5 more minutes until kale wilts.
  8. Remove bay leaves, season to taste and add more liquid to reach desired consistency (I added 2 more cups).
  9. Pour soup into bowls and serve with lemon wedges and crackers or bread, if desired.
Slow Cooker
  1. Add everything except for the orzo, kale, parsley and lemon juice to slow cooker and cover with lid. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
  2. Once chicken is cooked throughout, remove the chicken from the slow cooker to shred. 
  3. Stir in orzo and kale, cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes or until orzo has cooked and kale has wilted. 
  4. Remove bay leaves and stir in shredded chicken, parsley and lemon juice. Season to taste and add additional broth if desired.
  5. Pour soup into bowls and serve with lemon wedges and crackers or bread, if desired.

Notes

  • Storage: Allow the soup to cool slightly before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last 4-5 days in the fridge. For reheating, you can warm the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • I recommend using low-sodium chicken broth and then add your own salt to control the amount of sodium in this soup.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/6 soup Calories 362kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 744mg (31%) Potassium 422mg (12%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 9g (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 362

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/6 soup
Calories 362kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 744mg 31%
Potassium 422mg 9%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 9g 18%

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

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