Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup (Printable)

A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired soup combining tender chicken, fresh lemon, and orzo pasta with aromatic vegetables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Pantry & Grains

09 - 3/4 cup orzo pasta
10 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

→ Optional

16 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
04 - Add orzo and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is just tender.
05 - Add cooked chicken, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to heat through.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in dill, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning and lemon juice to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort and sunshine had a baby, with just enough citrus to keep things interesting without overwhelming the warmth.
  • You can throw it together on a weeknight using pantry staples and whatever cooked chicken you have lying around.
  • The orzo soaks up all that lemony broth and turns each spoonful into a perfect little bite.
02 -
  • Don't add the lemon juice too early or it can turn bitter, wait until the end so it stays bright and fresh.
  • If you're using store-bought broth, start with less salt and adjust at the end, because some broths are saltier than others and you can't take it back once it's in.
03 -
  • Taste the soup before you add all the lemon juice, you can always add more but you can't take it away, and some lemons are more sour than others.
  • Use fresh dill if you can find it, the flavor is so much brighter and more vibrant than dried, and it makes the whole pot taste alive.
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