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Fresh Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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A bright and cozy chicken soup featuring tender chicken, orzo pasta, and fresh lemon juice for a light yet comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced small
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: splash of white wine

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into small, uniform pieces (about 1/4 inch). Mince garlic. Cut chicken into roughly 1-inch chunks. Juice lemons, removing seeds. Set fresh herbs aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add chicken pieces, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for 4-5 minutes until chicken is opaque but not fully cooked.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Lower heat to medium-low to maintain simmer.
  5. Add orzo pasta and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender but slightly al dente.
  6. Remove pot from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice, parsley, and dill to preserve brightness.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes or extra lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Add lemon juice off heat at the end to preserve brightness. Stir orzo occasionally to prevent clumping. If soup thickens after resting, stir in broth or water before reheating. Use bone-in thighs for deeper flavor but expect longer cooking time. For freezing, cook orzo separately to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, orzo soup, easy chicken soup, cozy meal, light soup, comfort food, quick soup

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/fresh-lemon-chicken-orzo-soup-recipe-easy-cozy-meal-idea/