Why Make This Recipe
Delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s light yet filling, with fresh ingredients and a zesty flavor from the lemons. This soup is not only easy to make but also a great way to warm up on a chilly day. Plus, it uses simple ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen.
How to Make Delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Juice of 2 lemons (plus zest)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add carrots and celery; cook until softened.
- Add cubed chicken and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Stir in orzo pasta and cook for another 8–10 minutes until al dente.
- Remove from heat and add lemon juice, zest, and spinach. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
How to Serve Delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Serve this soup hot, ideally with a slice of crusty bread or a side salad. You can also garnish it with some fresh herbs or additional lemon zest for an extra burst of flavor.
How to Store Delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to three days. For longer storage, you can freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Just remember that the orzo may soften a bit after freezing.
Tips to Make Delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- For a richer flavor, you can use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice based on how tangy you like your soup.
- If you prefer a heartier soup, feel free to add more vegetables like zucchini or peas.
Variation
You can easily make this soup vegetarian by using vegetable broth and omitting the chicken. Replace the chicken with chickpeas for added protein.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta instead of orzo?
Yes, you can substitute orzo with any small pasta, such as farro or ditalini. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
Can I make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! This soup tastes great the next day as the flavors deepen. Just be aware that the pasta may absorb some broth.
Is this soup gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, simply use gluten-free orzo or another gluten-free pasta option. Ensure that the chicken broth is also gluten-free.
Delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
A light yet filling soup with zesty lemon flavor, perfect for warming up on a chilly day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-free (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Juice of 2 lemons (plus zest)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add carrots and celery; cook until softened.
- Add cubed chicken and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Stir in orzo pasta and cook for another 8–10 minutes until al dente.
- Remove from heat and add lemon juice, zest, and spinach. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth. You can substitute orzo with small pasta as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: lemon chicken soup, orzo soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe