My Lemon chicken orzo soup recipe is tasty and cozy, with a bursting, bright, lemony flavor mixed into chicken, pasta and hearty veggies.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
I am super excited to share my latest and most impressive chicken soup recipe. First, let's talk about this soup's flavor, texture and seasonings.
This soup is so tasty, comforting and adding lemon juice to this soup really elevates the flavour to the next level. The texture is also smooth and tender because of the orzo, which is just a typical pasta with a rice grain-like shape.
Another good thing about this soup is that it is seasoned with salt, ground black pepper, dried thyme, and fresh rosemary. Hence, the flavor from the chicken and lemon would surely be enriched.
My Verdict: This Lemon chicken orzo soup is so good and easy to make, you will never be disappointed with how delicious and satisfying it is.
Why We Love This Recipe
- The recipe contains an simple set of instructions that you may follow in your household's kitchen.
- Most of the ingredients are found in your pantry or at your nearest supermarket for a low price.
- This soup is delicious and light which makes it perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Preparing this dish would warm you up on cold days or nights.
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs: For this recipe, I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they are rich and moist dark meat. Also, They're a good bit juicier and more flavorful than the other chicken parts.
Olive Oil: I am using a minimal amount of olive oil to cook the chicken thighs.
Seasonings: I used ground black pepper, dried thyme, fresh rosemary and salt.
Carrots and Celery: Carrots and celery are the vegetables that I added to my Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
Chicken Stock: Chicken stock helps in adding more flavor, you may use chicken broth instead.
Onion And Garlic: They boost the taste of the soup.
Bay Leaves: It adds another layer of flavor to my soup.
Orzo Pasta: Orzo pasta is tasty and an ideal addition to this soup for a more tender texture.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice really brightens the flavors.
Fresh Parsley Leaves: I use parsley to garnish the dish and also to add an extra flavour and color to the soup.
“See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.”
Variations & Substitutions
- If you like to thicken the soup, consider adding 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the stock.
- Add your favorite fresh herbs.
- Make this dish vegetarian, to do so, just skip the chicken and the stock and add water or vegetable stock.
How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup?
One: Wash chicken thighs, pat dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.
Two: Heat half of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken thighs to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden; set aside.
Three: Now, add the remaining oil to the pot. Add onion, garlic, celery and carrots. Cook for 3-4 minutes; until softened (stirring occasionally).
Four: Add in chicken stock, thyme, bay leaves, and rosemary; bring to a boil.
Five: Add in orzo and chicken thighs; reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until orzo is soft. Stir in lemon juice and parsley, then serve immediately.
Top Tips!
- Serve the Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup right away since orzo pasta becomes a bit sluggish when it cools down.
- You can use leftover cooked chicken instead of cooking raw chicken.
- Don't overcook, orza gets mushy in the soup if it’s cooked too long. It’s essential to follow the cooking times listed.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, you may use rice instead of orzo; however, if you use long-grain or brown rice, it will take much more time to cook than if you use short-grain rice.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve it with Gyro Bread; It always goes well with soups, and for a fancier combo, I serve it with Elote Corn Salad.
You may also serve this soup with Markovcha Carrot Salad or Summer Couscous Salad.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
I place the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to four days. You may reheat the soup in a microwave or stove over medium-low heat.
More Chicken Soup Recipes
- Easy Chicken Lentil Soup Recipe
- Easy Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup
- Old Fashioned Chicken Vegetable Stew
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Recipe Card
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil , divided
- 500 g chicken thighs boneless, skinless , cut into small chunks
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 carrots , peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery , diced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 5 cups water
- 1 chicken stock cube
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 onion , diced
- 2 bay leaves
- ¾ orzo pasta , uncooked
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves , chopped
Instructions
- Wash chicken thighs, pat dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.500 g chicken thighs, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt
- Heat half of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.2 tablespoon olive oil
- Add chicken thighs to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden; set aside.
- Now, add the remaining oil to the pot. Add onion, garlic, celery and carrots. Cook for 3-4 minutes; until softened (stirring occasionally).3 carrots, 2 stalks celery, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Add in water, chicken stock, thyme, bay leaves, and rosemary; bring to a boil.½ teaspoon dried thyme, 5 cups water, 1 sprig rosemary, 2 bay leaves
- Add in orzo and chicken thighs; reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until orzo is soft.¾ orzo pasta
- Stir in lemon juice and parsley, then serve immediately.1 lemon juice, 2 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves
Notes
- Serve the soup right away since orzo pasta becomes a bit sluggish when it cools down.
- You can use leftover cooked chicken instead of cooking raw chicken.
- Don't overcook, orza gets mushy in the soup if it’s cooked too long. It’s essential to follow the cooking times listed.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, you may use rice instead of orzo; however, if you use long-grain or brown rice, it will take much more time to cook than if you use short-grain rice.
Mia
It is delicious! I used chicken breast instead of thigh. It is very good and so simple to make.