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Fresh Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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A bright and comforting homemade soup featuring tender chicken, orzo pasta, fresh herbs, and a citrusy lemon zing. Perfect for a quick, nourishing meal that feels fresh and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup (about 180 g) dry orzo pasta
  • 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium chicken broth
  • Juice and zest of 2 medium lemons (about 3 tablespoons juice)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh dill
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice the carrot, celery, and onion; mince garlic; cut chicken into bite-sized pieces; zest and juice lemons. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery; cook for 5–6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Add chicken pieces and cook until just browned on the outside, about 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Pour in 6 cups chicken broth and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a gentle simmer (about 10 minutes).
  6. Stir in 1 cup orzo pasta, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, and 1 teaspoon thyme leaves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8–10 minutes until orzo is tender but al dente, stirring occasionally.
  7. Remove pot from heat. Stir in lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
  8. Cover pot and let soup rest off heat for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and orzo to absorb broth.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the orzo to avoid mushiness. Brown chicken lightly for flavor without toughening. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for best flavor. Stir gently to prevent orzo from sticking. Adjust seasoning after adding lemon juice. If soup thickens after resting, add broth or water to loosen. A pinch of sugar can balance overly sharp lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, orzo soup, herb soup, quick chicken soup, homemade soup, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/fresh-lemon-chicken-orzo-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-herb-soup/