This lemon chicken orzo soup is for all my soup lovers out there. This recipe is for whenever you are in the mood for a cozy bowl of soup or, if you’re feeling under the weather and need a soothing soup recipe. Keep scrolling for all the details!

Lemon chicken orzo soup

Everybody needs an easy chicken soup but, especially this one because it is loaded with good-for-you ingredients. Here is why you are going to love this recipe.

This soup is very easy to make and requires a few simple steps.
Lemon orzo soup can be made in one pot!
It uses a mixture of dried spices and fresh lemon juice and zest.
This soup is loaded with 32 grams of protein per serving.
It uses some greek seasonings to make a greek lemon chicken soup.
This soup stores really well in the fridge and can be enjoyed all week long.
You can add more (or less) seasonings depending on your liking.
Also, it stores really well in the freezer so it’s great to meal prep!

Ingredients in lemon chicken orzo soup

Here are the ingredients in this soup. We need some veggies, seasonings, chicken broth, chicken and pasta, of course.

Celery, carrots, garlic, onion are the veggies are working with. We will start by cooking these veggies in olive oil.

Seasonings: dried parsley, dried dill, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper

Olive oil, or avocado oil. Both options work well in this recipe. Or you can use butter.

Chicken broth (of course) to create the base of this soup.

Chicken breast are necessary for this chicken orzo soup. You can also use chicken thighs or chicken tenders.

We will be adding one cup of uncooked orzo for the pasta. I’ve added some other pasta substitutes down below.

Lastly, fresh lemon and lemon zest to get the lemon flavor. You can add more or less lemon depending on your liking.

How to make lemon chicken soup

Follow these six easy steps to make lemon chicken soup.

STEP 1

Grab a soup pot and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Put the pot over medium heat on the stove.

STEP 2

Now add the chopped veggies: celery, carrots, garlic, and onion. Sauté for a minute or two and then add in all the seasonings: dried parsley, dried dill, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Sauté for about five more minutes to allow the veggies to soften.

STEP 3

Next, push the veggies to one side of the pan and add a drizzle of olive oil to the other side. Add in the chicken breast. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until seared and browned.

STEP 4

Now add in the chicken broth and bring the soup to a boil. Let the soup with the chicken boil for ten minutes. Then add in the uncooked orzo and let the soup boil for another ten minutes or until the chicken breast is cooked through and reaches 165 degrees F. This can take varying amounts of time depending on the size and thickness of the chicken.

STEP 5

Using tongs, remove the cooked chicken from the soup and chop it up with a knife on a cutting board. Add the chicken back to the soup and stir to combine.

STEP 6

Lastly, zest and juice one lemon and add it to the soup. Stir to combine. Serve the soup warm in large soup bowls and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this soup in advance?

Yes! Store the cooked soup in an air tight container and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Does this soup freeze well?

Yes, this chicken orzo soup stores really well in the freezer. Cook the soup according to the instructions and then let it cool. Add the soup to a freezer friendly container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat the soup, you can let it thaw at room temperature. Or you can add the frozen soup back to a pot on the stove over low-medium heat. Slowly let it thaw and bring it to a boil.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

This recipe calls for orzo pasta however, you can use Acini Di Pepe, Pastina, Ditalini, or any small pasta of your choice. The options are endless! I have outlined more information on pasta variations below.

What other veggies can I add?

Adding veggies to soup is always a great idea. While this recipe is loaded with celery, carrots and onion, you can always add some baby kale, spinach or zucchini. Soups are a great way to get in those yummy and hearty vegetables.

Substitutions

This recipe is so versatile and you can tailor it to your liking. Here are some variation ideas below.

Chicken broth or chicken bone broth. This recipes calls for 8-10 cups of chicken broth. However, you can also use chicken bone broth for extra protein! Make sure to use a nicely seasoned chicken broth or bone broth.

Chicken breast or chicken thighs. Seasoned chicken breast is the main protein source we are working with! Instead of chicken breast, you can use chicken thighs or chicken tenders. Follow the same cooking instructions for any chicken option that you chose.

Orzo or Acini Di Pepe pasta. This recipe calls for uncooked orzo but you can use any small pasta of your choice. I recommend using a small pasta because it blends in nicely with the soup. A great small pasta option is acini di pepe. If you want to use a larger pasta, macaroni noodles and pasta shells would work nicely.

Other soup recipes by braes bites

Here are some other soup recipes you’re going to love:

Chicken Tortellini Soup

The Easiest Roasted Tomato Soup

Gnocchi Sausage Soup

Did you make this soup?

If you give this chicken orzo soup a try, then please don’t forget to rate this recipe or leave a comment down below! The feedback is super helpful to me and to other readers thinking about making this recipe. For some more recipe inspiration, you can also find and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest!

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