Description
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is light, cozy, and bursting with zesty lemon flavor, tender chicken, and hearty orzo pasta. Perfect for chilly nights or easy weeknight dinners, this soup combines comfort and freshness in one nourishing bowl. It’s ready in under 40 minutes and makes a family-friendly meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped, preferably rotisserie)
- Juice of 1 lemon (plus more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add broth and seasoning: Pour in chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add orzo: Stir in uncooked orzo. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, until tender.
- Stir in chicken: Add shredded chicken and simmer 5 minutes more to heat through.
- Finish with lemon and herbs: Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste. Let rest briefly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- To avoid mushy pasta, cook orzo separately if storing for later.
- Don’t boil the soup after adding lemon juice—it may taste bitter.
- Add baby spinach or kale at the end for extra nutrition.
- Stir in cream or coconut milk for a creamy variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Chicken, Comfort Food
- Method: One-Pot, Stove-Top
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe, Homemade Chicken Orzo Soup, Easy Lemon Chicken Soup