4.7 from 201 votes
Lemony Chicken Stew with Orzo
This lemony chicken stew with orzo is a zingy twist on the classic chicken and rice soup. It's made with orzo pasta, which helps thicken this vegetable-heavy stew.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6 - 8
Calories: 417 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons canola oil
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt , divided
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper , divided
- 1 pound skinless and boneless chicken breasts , cut into ½-inch pieces
- 4 carrots , peeled and sliced
- 2 ribs celery , chopped
- 1 onion , diced
- 1 leek , thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice , or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon , chopped
Instructions
- In an 8-quart casserole stockpot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the flour to a shallow bowl and season with about ½ teaspoon each of kosher salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour.
- Place half of the chicken in the stockpot but do not overcrowd. Cook until golden, about 2 minutes on all sides then transfer the chicken to a bowl. Add 2 more tablespoons oil to the pot and brown the remaining chicken then transfer it to the bowl with the chicken and cover to keep warm.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot with the carrots, celery, and onion. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until the onion softens. Add the leek and garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with the rest of the salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken back to the stockpot along with the orzo, chicken stock, water, and half of the tarragon. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the orzo is tender and the broth has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally.
- Stir in the lemon juice, and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining tarragon and serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
417kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
54mg
(18%)
Sodium
799mg
(33%)
Potassium
825mg
(24%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
7176IU
(144%)
Vitamin C
11mg
(12%)
Calcium
74mg
(7%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6- 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 417
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 417kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 54mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 799mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 825mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 7176IU | 144% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 74mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.