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4.6 from 84 votes

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup In An Instant Pot

Hearty and delicious lemon chicken soup with orzo pasta made with sauteed vegetables and chicken broth. This is a great soup for those busy evenings whey you want a quick and nutritious meal.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time:
25 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 359 kcal
Course: Others
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 medium carrots diced
  • 2 celery sticks chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 4 cups 32 ounces chicken stock
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 lemon juiced or quartered*
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Set Instant Pot to Saute. When hot, add olive oil. Saute onion, carrots, and celery until soft - about 5minutes.
  2. Add the chicken, garlic, stock, water, ginger and lemon (juiced if you prefer not to add the lemon peel) to the pot. Secure the lid and make sure the vent is set to Sealing. Cook on Manual for 7 minutes. When pot beeps done, allow for a natural release for 5 minutes.
  3. When 5 minutes is up, release any remaining steam and pressure by turning vent to Venting. Open the lid and remove the chicken to a plate to cool for a couple minutes. Remove the lemon quarters, squeezing some juice into the pot (careful, it’s hot!) and discard.
  4. Add the orzo, dried herbs and salt and pepper to the pot. Give it a quick stir and then secure the lid and seal the vent. Set to cook on Manual for 3 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, shred the chicken with 2 forks. When the pot beeps done, do a quick release of steam and open the lid. Return chicken to the pot.
  6. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • *The highest compound of bitterness is from citrus not fully grown, so it's important to use mature lemons in this recipe. Instead of adding the lemon quarters, you can add just the juice of the lemon if you prefer. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 359kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Cholesterol 67mg (22%) Sodium 682mg (28%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 6g (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 359

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 359kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 682mg 28%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 6g 12%

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