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Cozy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe – Easy Comfort Food

lemon chicken orzo soup - featured image
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A bright, hearty, and comforting soup featuring tender chicken, creamy orzo, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon twist. Perfect for chilly days or casual dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked and shredded boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow or white onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt

Instructions

  1. Dice the carrots, celery, and onion. Mince the garlic, zest the lemon, and squeeze the lemon juice into a small bowl. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Add the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom.
  5. Once the orzo is almost cooked, add the shredded chicken, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
  6. Toss in the fresh thyme sprigs and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  7. Remove the thyme sprigs before serving. If you prefer a slightly creamier soup, stir in about ½ cup of heavy cream or a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt at this point.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a slice of lemon for extra flair.

Notes

[‘Don’t skip the lemon zest for enhanced flavor.’, ‘Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.’, ‘Keep an eye on the orzo as it cooks quickly and can stick to the pot.’, ‘Season the soup gradually to build layers of flavor.’, ‘Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley add a great aromatic touch.’, ‘Roasting vegetables before adding them to the soup can deepen the flavor.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, orzo soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, chicken soup, healthy soup, quick dinner, weeknight meal

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