Go Back
A bowl of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup garnished with herbs and lemon slices.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

A comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, bright lemon flavors, and nutritious vegetables, perfect for any time of year.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 340
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast Diced or whole depending on preference.
  • 1 cup orzo pasta Or any small pasta variety.
  • 2 medium carrots Diced.
  • 2 stalks celery Diced.
  • 1 medium onion Diced.
  • 2 cloves garlic Minced.
  • 8 cups chicken broth Or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing.
  • 2 medium lemons Juiced.
  • 1 cup fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish.
  • to taste salt and pepper For seasoning.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Gather all ingredients: chicken breast, orzo pasta, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, and fresh lemons.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
  6. Once simmering, add chicken breasts and let cook for about 15-20 minutes, until cooked through.
  7. Remove the chicken, cool slightly, then shred it into bite-sized pieces.
  8. Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir in the orzo. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until orzo is tender.
  9. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and add chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Enjoy with crusty bread or a side salad. For added flavor, consider sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese on top when serving. Store leftovers by cooling to room temperature, then transferring to airtight containers.