Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Bright and flavorful Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, zesty lemon, and orzo pasta in a comforting broth. Perfect for any meal!
12 Servings
Ingredients
- Orzo Pasta: 8 ounces
- Olive Oil: 1 teaspoon
- Carrots: 3 medium chopped
- Celery: 3 ribs chopped
- Onion: 1 medium chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Dried Thyme: ½ teaspoon
- Dried Oregano: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: To taste
- Ground Black Pepper: To taste
- Bay Leaf: 1
- Chicken Broth: 3 cartons 32 ounces each, fat-free and low-sodium
- Fresh Lemon Juice: ½ cup
- Lemon Zest: Zest of 1 lemon
- Cooked Chicken Breast: 8 ounces chopped
- Baby Spinach Leaves: 1 package 8 ounces
- Optional Garnishes: Lemon slices grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Orzo Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for approximately 5 minutes, until partially cooked. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt further cooking.
Sauté the Vegetables:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, celery, and onion. Cook while stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
Season and Build the Broth:
- Incorporate the dried thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and bay leaf into the vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for 30 seconds to enhance the flavors. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften.
Add the Orzo and Chicken:
- Stir the partially cooked orzo, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest into the pot. Add the chopped chicken breast and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring the orzo is fully cooked and the chicken is heated through.
Incorporate the Spinach:
- Add the baby spinach to the pot and stir gently for 2–3 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and blend into the broth.
Serve and Garnish:
- Ladle the soup into individual bowls and garnish with optional lemon slices and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the orzo pasta with gluten-free orzo, rice, or quinoa. Ensure that the chicken broth used is certified gluten-free.