Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
605 kcal
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Course
Soup
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
Description
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe combines fall-apart chicken with a base of sautéed onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, coated lightly in flour for thickness. Chicken stock enriches the broth, which simmers gently to meld flavors before adding orzo pasta. The orzo cooks until tender, absorbing the broth's taste. Finally, fresh lemon juice and parsley are stirred in, adding freshness and brightness. The result is a comforting soup featuring a fragrant broth, tender chicken pieces, and soft pasta with a hint of citrus zest.
The texture is slightly creamy from the flour and vegetables, balanced by the slight firmness of orzo. The lemon juice adds a crisp tang cutting through the chicken richness. This soup reheats well and serves well with a wedge of lemon for extra acidity if desired.
Serving it as a main course soup or alongside a simple salad makes for a satisfying meal. The fresh parsley and lemon wedges enhance the presentation and flavor contrast.
Leftover soup keeps in the refrigerator up to four days. When reheating, thinning with water can restore soup consistency if thickened. To freeze, it’s best to reserve orzo before freezing to prevent mushiness; add fresh orzo upon reheating. Thaw frozen soup overnight, boil, add orzo, and cook until tender before serving with lemon juice and parsley.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 medium carrot peeled and cut into small pieces
- 2 talks celery cut into small pieces
- 3 cloves garlic sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour gluten-free, if needed
- 7 cups chicken stock
- 1 ½ lb chicken thigh or chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup orzo gluten-free, if needed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup parsley roughly chopped, fresh
- lemon to serve with, wedges
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Add in onion, carrots, and celery. Sautee, stirring occasionally, for 6-7 minutes or until all the vegetables are softened. Add in garlic and saute for another minute.
- Sprinkle the flour into the pot and cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. The flour will coat the vegetables creating a glue-like paste around them, which is normal.
- Pour in the chicken stock and add in the chicken, salt, and pepper. Put the lid on, bring to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Add the orzo and cook for another 10 minutes or until it is cooked through. Stir frequently to make sure that orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the now-cooked chicken from the pot and shred into smaller bite-sized pieces. Put it back into the pot and bring it to a boil to one last time.
- Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley right before serving. Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread on the side.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Add water when reheating if the soup is too thick for your liking.
- For freezing, omit orzo before freezing to prevent mushiness; add fresh orzo when reheating.
- Thaw frozen soup overnight in the fridge and cook with fresh orzo on the stove before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 605 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2 cups | |
| Calories | 605kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 50g | 100% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 174mg | 58% |
| Sodium | 1373mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 1178mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 8024IU | 160% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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