Welcome to the ultimate guide for a truly exceptional dish: the delightful Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a heartwarming, nourishing, and incredibly easy-to-make culinary masterpiece, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re battling a winter chill, feeling under the weather, or simply craving a bowl of pure comfort, this recipe promises to deliver a burst of fresh flavor and wholesome goodness. Crafted with simple, accessible ingredients, this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup can be on your table in under 45 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a quick weekend treat.
Our Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is celebrated for its light yet satisfying nature, bursting with vibrant lemon and herbaceous notes that awaken the senses. It’s a supremely healthy option, packed with wholesome ingredients that contribute to its numerous benefits, from immune support to sheer culinary delight. This recipe has quickly become a cherished family favorite, guaranteed to bring warmth and joy to your loved ones. Prepare to discover your new go-to soup recipe!
Craving more delicious chicken dishes? Explore some of our other popular recipes like Thai Red Curry Chicken, Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup, and our comforting Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole!
Why This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Will Become Your New Favorite
Beyond its incredible taste, this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup offers a myriad of reasons to fall in love with it:
- A Wholesome and Nutritious Meal: This isn’t just a comfort food; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition. Loaded with a medley of fresh vegetables and lean, protein-packed chicken, each serving of this delicious soup comes in at only around 250 calories. It’s an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, perfect for boosting your immune system, especially during cold and flu season.
- Unparalleled Cozy Comfort: There’s something undeniably soothing about a warm bowl of chicken soup. This recipe takes comfort to the next level with its vibrant lemon and aromatic herb flavors, combined with the delightful texture of hearty orzo pasta. It’s a truly satisfying dish that wraps you in warmth from the inside out.
- Effortless Preparation for Busy Lives: Don’t let the “from scratch” aspect intimidate you! This easy soup recipe is incredibly simple to put together. Designed to serve 8 people generously, it transitions from pantry to table in an impressive 45 minutes, making it a perfect solution for a quick and healthy dinner any night of the week.
- Family-Friendly Appeal: The mild yet flavorful profile of this soup appeals to palates of all ages. Even picky eaters will find themselves reaching for seconds of this inviting lemon chicken orzo soup.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Crafting the perfect Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup begins with selecting fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with tips for each:
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: The star protein! Using pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken, makes this recipe incredibly fast. Alternatively, you can cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs at home.
- Chicken Broth: The foundation of our flavorful soup. Opt for a good quality chicken broth or stock. Low-sodium varieties are excellent for controlling salt intake.
- Fresh Vegetables: A classic aromatic trio of onions, carrots, and celery forms the base of flavor and nutrients, often referred to as “mirepoix.”
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor and a beautiful green garnish.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic infuses the soup with its pungent, savory aroma.
- Orzo Pasta: Small, rice-shaped pasta that adds substance and a delightful chewiness to the soup.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: The defining ingredient! Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the bright, zesty tang that balances the richness of the soup.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors. Freshly cracked black pepper is always recommended.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, adding a touch of healthy fat and richness.
- Ginger: Freshly grated ginger adds a warm, subtly spicy note and offers wonderful health benefits, especially for those feeling unwell. Powdered ginger can be a substitute in a pinch.
- Cornstarch: An optional thickening agent for those who prefer a heartier, less brothy soup.
How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these straightforward steps to create a delicious and comforting bowl of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup in no time:
- Prepare Your Aromatics: Begin by dicing your onions, carrots, and celery into small, uniform pieces. Mince the garlic cloves. Transfer these prepped vegetables to a large pot or Dutch oven with a tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté them over medium heat until they are tender and slightly softened, about 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for building a flavorful base for your soup.
- Create the Flavorful Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, then add your salt, black pepper, and freshly grated ginger. Stir everything together, bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat, cover the pot, and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. (If you’re making homemade broth, refer to our detailed notes further down for guidance.)
- Introduce the Chicken: While the broth simmers, shred your cooked chicken if you haven’t already. After the initial 15 minutes of broth cooking, add the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir to combine, cover again, and let it cook for another 15 minutes over medium-low heat. This ensures the chicken absorbs all the delicious flavors.
- Add Orzo and Finishing Touches: It’s time for the orzo! Toss the orzo pasta into the simmering soup along with the chopped fresh parsley. Stir well and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente (cooked but still firm to the bite). Finally, stir in the fresh lemon juice. If you desire a slightly thicker soup, mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water in a small cup to create a slurry, then pour it into the soup while stirring continuously. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the soup to thicken slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle your comforting Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup into bowls. For an extra touch of freshness and flavor, garnish with extra chopped parsley and a fresh lemon wedge. Enjoy immediately!
Mastering Your Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup: Expert Tips and Tricks
Elevate your Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with these insightful notes and helpful tips:
- Chicken Choice Flexibility: Yes, you can absolutely substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs, or even use a combination of both for a richer flavor profile. For ultimate convenience, don’t hesitate to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken; it significantly cuts down on prep time without sacrificing flavor.
- Broth Wisdom: The quality of your broth greatly impacts the final taste of your soup. You can use homemade chicken broth for a deeper, richer flavor, or opt for a good quality store-bought broth if time is a factor. Always choose low-sodium chicken broth if you are monitoring your salt intake, as you can always add more salt to taste later.
- Lemon Levels: The lemon is key to this soup’s bright character. If you like a bold, pronounced lemon flavor, consider adding some lemon zest along with the juice. Zest contains the essential oils of the lemon peel, providing an intense aromatic boost. Add lemon juice towards the end of cooking to preserve its fresh, vibrant taste.
- Orzo and Thickening: Orzo pasta tends to absorb a lot of liquid as it cooks and sits. This means your soup will naturally thicken over time. You don’t have to worry about making the broth too thick initially, as the orzo will do some of the work.
- Achieving Desired Thickness: If you prefer a thicker soup, the cornstarch slurry is your friend. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water in a small cup until smooth. Pour this mixture into the soup during the last 5 minutes of cooking, stirring constantly. This will give your soup a lovely, silky consistency.
- Garnish for Impact: Serving this delicious soup in a bowl with fresh lemon wedges and a generous sprinkle of chopped parsley not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the overall flavor. The garnishing is completely optional but highly recommended for the best experience.
- Spice It Up: For those who love a bit of heat, a dash of your favorite hot sauce stirred into your individual bowl can add a delightful kick that complements the lemon and chicken flavors beautifully.
- Adding More Greens: Feel free to toss in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for an extra boost of nutrients and color.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Here are answers to some common questions about making and enjoying Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup:
How do I make homemade chicken broth?
Making your own homemade chicken broth is a rewarding process that infuses your soup with incredible depth of flavor. To start, boil about 1 pound of chicken pieces (such as a carcass, bones, or even raw chicken wings) in a separate pot with roughly 8-10 cups of water. For aromatic richness, add onion wedges, a few celery sticks, a couple of bay leaves, a small piece of fresh ginger, and a quarter of a lemon wedge. Let everything simmer gently for about 30 minutes, or longer for a more concentrated flavor. Skim off any froth that rises to the surface during boiling. Once done, remove the chicken pieces, shred the meat for your soup, and strain the broth to remove solids. Set both the chicken and the flavorful broth aside, ready for use. If using store-bought broth, you can skip this step and go straight to preparing your vegetables.
What is Orzo?
Orzo is a delightful type of pasta that uniquely resembles grains of rice, giving it its name (Italian for “barley”). It’s typically made from semolina flour, which is derived from durum wheat. Its small size and pleasant texture make it incredibly versatile, suitable for a wide range of dishes beyond soups, such as fresh salads, hearty casseroles, or as a flavorful side dish in place of rice. It’s important to note that traditional orzo pasta is not gluten-free due to its wheat content.
Can I freeze this Lemon Chicken Orzo recipe?
While technically possible, freezing this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is generally not recommended. The primary reason is the pasta; orzo, like most small pastas, tends to become very soft and mushy after being frozen and reheated, losing its pleasant texture. If you anticipate having leftovers you’d like to freeze, a better approach is to cook the orzo separately and add it to individual portions of soup just before serving. Alternatively, you can freeze the chicken and broth base without the pasta, then cook fresh orzo when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Can I use other pasta in this soup?
Absolutely! The beauty of soup recipes lies in their flexibility. If orzo isn’t available or you prefer a different texture, you can readily substitute it with other small pasta shapes. Excellent choices include vermicelli (broken into small pieces), mini elbow macaroni, mini alphabet pasta, or small shell pasta. For a gluten-free alternative, consider using gluten-free pasta or even rice, adjusting cooking times as necessary to ensure it’s perfectly tender.
How to store Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
To enjoy your Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup at its best, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. However, for optimal texture, we recommend consuming it within 1-2 days. As time passes, the orzo pasta will continue to absorb liquid from the broth, potentially becoming mushier and causing the soup to thicken significantly. When reheating, you might need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to achieve your desired consistency.
More Comforting Recipes to Explore
If you loved the warmth and flavor of this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, be sure to check out these other comforting recipes that are perfect for any season:
- Lebanese Lentil Soup
- Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta
- Easy Baked Mac and Cheese
- Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
- Vegetable Minestrone Soup
We truly hope you enjoy every spoonful of this delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe. We encourage you to try it, savor every bite, and share your delightful experience with friends and family!
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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Mariam Ezzeddine
15
30
45
8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb shredded rotisserie chicken, Substitute for 1 lb Chicken tenders or boneless thighs (see blog post)
- 1 medium onion, petite diced
- 2 large celery Stalks, diced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 cups chicken broth or stock, low sodium
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp black pepper, fresh cracked
- 1 tsp salt, or more to taste
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp ginger, freshly grated or powder
- 2 tsp. corn starch, plus 1 tbsp water to mix.
Instructions
- Dice the veggies and mince the garlic. Transfer them to a pot. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and then sauté until tender.
- Add in the chicken broth, salt, ginger and black pepper. Cover and allow to cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, shred the cooked chicken. Add in the shredded chicken after the 15 minutes is up. Let them cook together covered for another 15 minutes on medium-low heat.
- After the 15 minutes is up, add in the orzo pasta and parsley, stir and allow to cook for another 10 minutes.
- At this point you can add in the lemon juice and corn starch (mixed with 1 tbsp. of water). Allow to cook for 5 minutes and the soup is ready to serve!
- You can serve with some lemon wedges and crackers. Garnish with chopped parsley (optional)
Notes
- Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs or use both.
- To make life easier, you can use rotisserie chicken.
- You can use homemade or store-bought broth, whichever you have time for!
- I also used lemon to make the soup a little citrusy. If you like a bold lemon flavor, you can add some lemon zest to the soup.
- The orzo will suck up more of the water so you don’t have to worry about thickening the broth too much.
- If you would like to thicken up your soup, you mix 1-2 tsps. of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water in a small cup and pour it over towards the last 5 minutes of cooking while stirring, along with the lemon juice.
- Serve this delicious soup in a bowl with some lemon wedges and top with chopped parsley for garnishing. The garnishing is completely optional.
- I love adding hot sauce into my soup. Super delicious!
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 18g |
Protein: 18g |
Fat: 12g |
Saturated Fat: 3g |
Cholesterol: 43mg |
Sodium: 417mg |
Potassium: 435mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 3g |
Vitamin A: 3129IU |
Vitamin C: 10mg |
Calcium: 29mg |
Iron: 1mg