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Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Delicious Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe with fresh flavors and hearty ingredients.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 1975 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot

Ingredients
  

Soup Base

  • 2 tablespoon butter I like Kerrygold unsalted butter for this
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.25 cup onion
  • 1.25 cup carrots
  • 1.25 cup celery
  • 4 cloves garlic freshly minced for best flavor
  • 8 cups chicken broth I use Swanson Less Sodium
  • 2 lb chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 cup orzo

Finish

  • 1.5 units lemon juiced and zested for maximum brightness
  • 0.5 cup cream
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 0.5 cup parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into roughly equal-sized pieces (about ¼ inch) so they cook evenly. Mince the garlic fresh and set aside.
  • Heat the butter and olive oil together in a large pot over medium heat until the butter is foaming and fragrant.
  • Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the hot fat and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the italian seasoning, thyme, and rosemary.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add the chicken bouillon, stirring to combine.
  • Add the chicken breasts whole to the pot—keeping them intact during cooking helps them stay moist and tender.
  • Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken reaches 160°F.
  • Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot to a cutting board and let cool for 2-3 minutes.
  • While the chicken cools slightly, add the orzo directly to the simmering broth and cook for 8-10 minutes.
  • Once cooled enough, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the lemon juice and zest.
  • Pour in the cream in a thin stream while stirring gently to prevent curdling.
  • Fold in the fresh parsley and dill, then return the chopped chicken back to the pot.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Stir gently for 1-2 minutes to warm everything through.
  • Ladle into bowls and serve immediately.
  • The soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.

Notes

For maximum brightness, use fresh lemon juice and zest.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 1975kcal
Keyword chicken soup, Comfort Food, healthy soup, Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, orzo soup
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