Chicken Orzo Soup

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This flavorful Chicken Orzo Soup is the perfect bowl of warmth to brighten your day. Made with tender vegetables, shredded chicken, and a hint of zesty lemon, this soup is hearty yet light, making it ideal for any season. Packed with nourishing ingredients like baby spinach, it’s a nutritious one-pot meal.

pin for 30 minute lemon chicken orzo soup

Keeping delicious recipes like this easy chicken orzo soup on hand is essential for quick access to meals that the whole family will love. You’ll also want to try Orange Sesame Chicken, Garlic Parmesan Risotto with Chicken and my popular Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders whenever a chicken recipe is requested!

Have leftover orzo? My Mediterranean Chicken Orzo is a dish the family will request over and over again while Shrimp Orzo Pasta is a light and refreshing dish perfect for the spring and summer months.

When To Make Chicken Soup

  1. Cold Weather Days: Here in the Midwest, a bowl of steaming soup is necessary to warm up on chilly evenings.
  2. Meal Prep Days: Easily prepare a batch on the weekends to then enjoy as a quick grab and heat lunch or dinner option during the week.
  3. For Friends and Family: As a comforting soup, it is easy to make a large batch to share during a family gathering or to easily transport to share with a friend that is unwell or needs support.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 lemon zested and 1/2 juiced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour gluten-free if needed
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup orzo
  • 2 cups shredded chicken
  • 2 cups baby spinach

How To Make Chicken Orzo Soup

STEP ONE: Sauté the vegetables. Add olive oil and butter to a heavy bottomed soup pot. Sauté the onions, celery, and carrots over medium-high heat for 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute, and then add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

STEP TWO: Add the other ingredients. Add the chicken broth then the orzo and the chicken. Bring to a boil then turn down to simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the spinach and lemon juice.

STEP THREE: Serve. Serve hot with your favorite rolls.

Tips and Recipe Notes

  • A dollop of sour cream will turn this recipe into a creamy chicken orzo soup.
  • Add more vegetables like zucchini, squash or bell peppers to customize the soup to your liking.
  • Use precooked and shredded boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Leftover Rotisserie chicken also works extremely well.
  • Cook orzo separately if meal prepping.
  • Add more broth if the soup thickens too much as the orzo will absorb liquid over time.
chicken orzo soup simmering in a pot on the stovetop

Side Dishes for Chicken Orzo Soup

This lemony chicken soup is a complete meal as it features chicken as the lean protein, nutrient-rich vegetables and delicious carbohydrates from the orzo. Here are some tasty ideas for how to serve up this soup with a side if desired!

  • Bread and Salad: Serve the soup alongside crusty bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping. Turn the bread into garlic bread to add a flavorful, buttery crunch. A side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette would also complement the soup well.
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Incorporate comfort food by pairing the soup with a classic grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of warm, melty cheese and savory soup is a match made in heaven.
  • Roasted Vegetables: Boost the overall nutrition of this meal by pairing with roasted veggies such as asparagus, tri-color carrots or Brussels sprouts.
  • Lean Protein: Make this soup the side dish as you feature pork chops, grilled chicken, beef or another lean protein for the main entree.
chicken orzo soup in a bowl topped with a lemon wedge and garlic knot

How To Store Leftovers

This soup will store in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. To reheat, place it in a pot on the store and warm over medium heat until hot through.

You can also freeze this soup in portions. Place in freezer-safe Ziplocs or airtight containers then pull it out of the freezer before you want to use it and allow it to thaw in the fridge for a few hours. Heat on the stove. If planning to freeze, cook orzo separately for best results.

Is This Lemon Chicken Soup Gluten-Free?

No, but it can easily be made gluten free by swapping the flour with a gluten-free flour and the orzo with a gluten free orzo or another gf pasta.

Can I Make this Soup Dairy-Free?

Yes! Simply swap the butter with olive or avocado oil to sauté the onions, celery and carrots. The remaining ingredients do not contain dairy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best broth for soup?

The best broth will vary depending on dietary needs and preferences plus the flavor you are aiming for in the soup. For this recipe, chicken broth offers a mild yet savory base. If looking to omit the chicken and turn this soup vegetarian, then vegetable broth is best. Choose low sodium options to better control the seasoning in your dish.

How to thicken chicken orzo soup?

This lemon chicken orzo soup is versatile, so you have a few options when it comes to thickening. First, you can make a cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and broth then adding to the soup before letting it simmer. You can also mash cooked beans or potatoes then stir into the soup for a natural thickener. Lastly, simmering the soup on the stovetop will thicken the broth over time.

Why is the orzo mushy?

Orzo can quickly become mushy if overcooked since it is a small pasta that will continue to absorb liquid even after cooked. Meal prepping this recipe in advance? I recommend cooking the orzo separately then adding to the soup when ready to serve.

More Easy Soup Recipes

chicken orzo soup in a bowl

Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

No ratings yet
Servings:6
Course Dinner, Soup
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
This flavorful Chicken Orzo Soup is the perfect bowl of warmth to brighten your day. Made with tender vegetables, shredded chicken, and a hint of zesty lemon, this soup is hearty yet light, making it ideal for any season. Packed with nourishing ingredients like baby spinach, it’s a nutritious one-pot meal.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 lemon zested and 1/2 juiced
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour gluten-free if needed
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup orzo
  • 2 cups shredded chicken
  • 2 cups baby spinach

Instructions

  • Saute the vegetables. Add olive oil and butter to a heavy bottomed soup pot. Sauté the onions, celery, and carrots over medium-high heat for 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute, and then add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 yellow onion, 2 stalks celery, 2 carrots, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • Add the other ingredients. Add the chicken broth then the orzo and the chicken. Bring to a boil then turn down to simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the spinach and lemon juice.
    6 cups chicken broth, 3/4 cup orzo, 2 cups shredded chicken, 2 cups baby spinach, 1 lemon
  • Serve. Serve hot with your favorite rolls.

Video

Notes

Looking for a side dish to serve with soup? Consider bread and salad, grilled cheese sandwiches, roasted vegetables or lean protein such as chicken, pork or beef.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 1345mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4496IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
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