🎉 Introduction
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is the perfect blend of cozy comfort and fresh, vibrant flavor. Tender chicken, delicate orzo pasta, and a light lemony broth come together to create a soup that’s soothing yet refreshing—ideal for chilly days, busy weeknights, or whenever you need a bowl of something wholesome.
The lemon adds brightness without overpowering, while the orzo gives the soup a satisfying, silky texture. It’s a timeless classic that feels light, comforting, and deeply nourishing all at once.
Perfect for:
- Cozy lunches or dinners
- Meal prep
- Light but filling comfort food
- Family-friendly meals
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or ladle
🛒 Ingredients
- 1½ lbs chicken breast or chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
- ¾ cup orzo pasta
- Juice of 1½ lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
These ingredients create a soup that’s light, flavorful, and comforting with a bright citrus finish.
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1:
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Step 2:
Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
Step 3:
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4:
Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the pot.
Step 5:
Pour in the chicken broth and add the oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Step 6:
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 7:
Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks.
Step 8:
Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir in the orzo.
Step 9:
Simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
Step 10:
Lower the heat and stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
Step 11:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.
Step 12:
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: About 45 minutes
Perfect for cozy dinners, lunch leftovers, and meal prep.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Reheating:
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave
- Add a splash of broth if the soup thickens
🥄 Variations
- Extra lemony: Add more zest before serving
- Veggie boost: Add spinach or kale at the end
- Creamy version: Stir in a splash of milk
- Herb-forward: Add fresh dill along with parsley
- Low-carb: Reduce orzo slightly and add more veggies
Each variation keeps the soup bright, comforting, and adaptable.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Is Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup sour?
No, it’s gently bright and balanced. - Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, add it after the broth simmers. - Does orzo soak up liquid?
Yes, add extra broth when reheating. - Is this soup kid-friendly?
Yes, the flavors are mild and comforting. - Can I freeze this soup?
It’s best fresh due to the orzo. - Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, they add extra richness. - Why add lemon at the end?
To keep the flavor fresh and bright. - Is this soup healthy?
Yes, it’s light, balanced, and nourishing. - Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely, use a larger pot. - What pairs well with this soup?
Crusty bread or a simple salad.
🏁 Conclusion
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a timeless comfort dish that delivers warmth, freshness, and nourishment in every spoonful. With tender chicken, silky orzo, and bright lemon flavor, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again.
Simple, soothing, and full of flavor—this soup never disappoints.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup – Bright, Comforting and Nourishing
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir in the orzo.
- Simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
- Lower the heat and stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
No, it’s gently bright and balanced. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, add it after the broth simmers. Does orzo soak up liquid?
Yes, add extra broth when reheating. Is this soup kid-friendly?
Yes, the flavors are mild and comforting. Can I freeze this soup?
It’s best fresh due to the orzo. Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, they add extra richness. Why add lemon at the end?
To keep the flavor fresh and bright. Is this soup healthy?
Yes, it’s light, balanced, and nourishing. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely, use a larger pot. What pairs well with this soup?
Crusty bread or a simple salad. 🏁 Conclusion Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a timeless comfort dish that delivers warmth, freshness, and nourishment in every spoonful. With tender chicken, silky orzo, and bright lemon flavor, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Simple, soothing, and full of flavor—this soup never disappoints.
