Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Updated March 04, 2020
A few weeks ago, I went out to lunch with some friends. I told my guys they had to fend for themselves. Our fridge was stocked, so I wasn’t worried. I knew they could find something to eat. When I got home, my boys were finishing up their lunch. No, they didn’t order pizza…although, Josh has done that a few times:) They were eating homemade Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
Josh said he wasn’t in the mood for a sandwich, so he made a big pot of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. Caleb played with pots and pans while dad made soup for lunch! I was kind of sad I missed out on all of the fun. Oh well, mama needed a day out and the guys had a fun afternoon together.
Josh is pretty proud of this soup. Not only because he made it all by himself with Caleb at his feet, but because he says it’s the best soup he’s ever tasted. Maybe he needs a piece of humble pie, but the soup did look pretty good and Caleb loved it too! 🙂
This chicken soup has a light and refreshing lemony broth with orzo pasta, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and fresh parsley. The lemon gives the soup a fantastic flavor, along with a boost of vitamin C. This comforting chicken soup really does heal the soul. If you are feeling under the weather or just tired of the cold winter weather, make a pot of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. It is sure to hit the spot.
Josh went snowboarding the next day and as soon as he walked in the door he asked if I could heat him up a bowl of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. He couldn’t wait to enjoy another bowl of his soup! He said it tastes just as great the next day, especially after a long day on the slopes!
Josh insists you make his Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. It’s his new favorite soup and he thinks you will enjoy it too!
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 carrots peeled and sliced into ¼ inch thick
- 1 celery stalk thinly sliced
- 8 cups of chicken broth
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 2 lemons about ⅓ cup
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice bay leaf and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 8 minutes, or until orzo is tender. Add the chicken and heat for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Discard the bay leaf and stir in the parsley. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm.
- Note-You can use shredded rotisserie chicken in this soup.
Have you tried this recipe?
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If you like this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, you might also like:
- Spicy Chicken Vegetable Soup from Multiply Delicious
- Easy Chicken and Rice Soup from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Turkey and Orzo Soup with Spinach from For the Love of Cooking
- Chicken Noodle Soup from Two Peas and Their Pod
Was looking for a easy, fresh, light chicken vegetable soup.
I found this one! It’s absolutely perfect! My crew all had colds, made this soup and everyone loved it! Now were all better! Better living through homemade food!
Thank you!
My mom used to make this but she put chick peas in with it instead of the orzo – gives it extra fiber and is more filling to boot!
Are there nutritional values on this recipe that I’m not seeing? Thank you.
This was a triple threat. Easy/Quick/Delicious
I would say though add orzo at last minute. If you make ahead don’t add orzo on initial cooking, it quickly absorbs the broth. I’ll make a triple batch and freeze, then note to add/cook orzo right before serving.
So good!
Hi! I found your recipe on Pinterest (yay!) and cannot wait to try it. I also featured it on my weekly menu as the “new” recipe to try for the week. Thanks for sharing!
Feel free to check out the rest of the menu:
http://www.plaidanddots.com/plaidandpolkadots/2014/03/weekly-menu-march-30-april-5.html
Do you think I could get away with using limes instead of lemon?
Whole Foods makes a lemon chicken soup…it’s delicious! I’d love to give this one a try! Thanks for posting.
I loved the soup! I forgot to put the bay leaf in (lol) but it was very yummy! Unfortunately the boys were not fans. Good news is I get the leftovers! ha! 🙂
I absolutely loved this soup! I will definitely be adding this to my recipe bank. The only thing I would really change would be to add less orzo since it soaked up all the broth. Thanks for the recipe!
I made this for the first time last night. I used baked chicken breasts (which I seasoned liberally with garlic powder, black peper and Penzey’s 4S spicy seasoning salt). It is amazing! My husband is in love with this soup and we will make it again soon.
This soup was delicious…light and lemony…did have a question, though, about the pasta/liquid ratio. The 1/2 cups of orzo grew so much that by the time you cooked it in the 8 cups of broth, there really wasn’t much broth left. I actually had to add more the next day. Any ideas?
Amazingly delicious, especially if you have a cold or are not feeling well. I make the orzo on the site and add a little bit to each bowl as needed. Otherwise orzo sucks up the broth. Delicious even without the orzo.
Would love to try some of your recipes, but wish they didn’t use so much ink when printing. A white background would be preferable to the current gray that pops up when you select >print.
Click the print button on the recipe card. It is a printer friendly version.
What do you recommend as a substitute for orzo to make it gluten free?
Rice will work!
This is so good!! It will definitely go in my make again file!!!
Tried it. Loved it! Fresh and zesty flavor. Comforting without being too heavy. Definitely making this again.
we’ve made this multiple times and are always happy! delicious
Yay!
One of my families favorites. Perfect comforting and flavorful.
Glad you love the soup!
I cannot wait to try this recipe!! I absolutely love anything LEMON. Growing up in Arizona we had 7 lemon trees in our yard. I have been making your creamy chicken soup now for a long time, I lost the recipe and just found it again today!!
I hope you love it!