Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Craving something bright and flavorful? This lemon chicken orzo soup is packed with tender chicken, fluffy orzo pasta, and a zesty lemon broth for a comforting meal.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Yield
- 6

Ingredients 16
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups peeled and sliced carrots (4 large or 6 medium)
- 2 cups thinly sliced celery (about 3 to 4 ribs)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 breasts)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt , divided
- ¼ cup lemon juice, plus the zest of 1 lemon
- 1 ¼ cups orzo (about 8 ounces )
- Chopped fresh parsley or fresh dill, for garnish
Method 5
- 01
In a large pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- 02
Stir in the broth, water, whole chicken breasts, oregano, dill, garlic powder, and 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt . Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken reads 165°F when measured with a food thermometer .
- 03
Remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board and allow to rest 5 minutes. Shred the chicken while the orzo is cooking (in the next step), by using your fingers to pull it into small pieces.
- 04
Meanwhile, add the orzo to the pot with the lemon zest and lemon juice. Cook until the orzo is tender, about 8 to 9 minutes.
- 05
Once the orzo is tender, turn off the heat and stir in the chicken. Taste and add up to ½ teaspoon kosher salt if desired and fresh ground black pepper. Serve warm, with fresh chopped parsley or dill. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days; the orzo absorbs liquid over time, so may need to add another splash of water and pinch of salt when reheating.*
Provenance
- recipe-clones/acouplecooks-data
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