🍋🍲 Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a bright, comforting Mediterranean-inspired soup made with tender chicken, delicate orzo pasta, vegetables, fresh herbs, and a flavorful lemony broth. It’s cozy like classic chicken soup but has a fresh, vibrant twist from lemon and herbs.

Prep Time

• Prep: 15 minutes
• Cook: 35 minutes
• Total: About 50 minutes

Servings

6 bowls

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Ingredients

Soup Base

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Chicken & Orzo

• 1½ lbs (700 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 3 cups fresh spinach (optional)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill (optional)

Lemon Finish

• Juice of 2 lemons
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cook the Soup Base

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery.
3. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Stir in oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.

2. Simmer the Chicken

1. Add chicken breasts and chicken broth.
2. Add the bay leaf.
3. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat.
4. Simmer for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. Remove chicken, shred with forks, and return to the pot.

3. Add Orzo

1. Stir in the orzo pasta.
2. Cook for 8–10 minutes until tender.
3. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Finish with Lemon

1. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
2. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, and dill.
3. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve warm with extra lemon wedges.

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Serving Suggestions

• 🥖 Warm crusty bread
• 🧄 Garlic toast
• 🥗 Greek salad
• 🧀 Parmesan topping
• 🫒 Olives and feta on the side

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Variations

🥚 Greek Avgolemono Style

Whisk together:

• 2 eggs
• Lemon juice

Slowly add hot broth, then stir into the soup for a silky, creamy texture.

🥬 Vegetable Lemon Orzo Soup

Replace chicken with:

• Chickpeas
• White beans
• Extra vegetables

🍗 Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo

Add:

• ½ cup heavy cream
• Extra Parmesan cheese

🌿 Mediterranean Version

Add:

• Feta cheese
• Roasted red peppers
• Fresh basil

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Storage

• Refrigerator: Up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze without orzo for up to 3 months (pasta can become soft after freezing).
• Add fresh cooked orzo when reheating for the best texture.

Tips for the Best Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

• Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness and flavor.
• Add lemon at the end to keep the bright citrus taste.
• Cook orzo separately if making ahead.
• Fresh herbs make a big difference in the final flavor. 🍋🌿🍲