Description
A comforting and easy chicken orzo soup recipe that warms the heart.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 large Onion (diced, about 2 cups)
- 2 large Carrots (thinly sliced, about 2 cups)
- 2 ribs Celery (diced, about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 8 cups Chicken Broth (or 4 cups broth + 4 cups water)
- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (or 3 cups rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup Uncooked Orzo Pasta
- 1 large Lemon (zested and juiced)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Fresh Parsley and Fresh Dill (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat a 4-quart soup pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering.
- Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Italian seasoning and cook for another minute to bloom the flavors.
- Pour in the chicken broth and increase the heat to bring to a boil.
- Add the chicken breasts, reduce the heat, and simmer until they reach a minimum internal temperature of 160°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Use clean tongs to transfer the chicken to a covered dish and let it rest for 5 minutes to reach 165°F through carryover cooking.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Shred the chicken with forks or your hands, then return it to the pot. Simmer for a few more minutes to heat through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley and fresh dill.
Notes
- This soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Leftovers can be frozen for longer storage, but the orzo may become softer after thawing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg