Description
This One Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is the ultimate comfort meal, combining tender chicken, vegetables, and pasta in a bright, lemony broth. It’s a warm, flavorful dish that’s quick to make and full of nutrients, perfect for cozy nights or a satisfying lunch!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1–2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ onion, diced
- 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced into thin quarters
- 3–4 celery ribs, diced
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 quart (4 cups) chicken stock
- 1–2 cups water (use more for extra liquid)
- 1–2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, or 2 cups cooked (see notes)
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Bay leaf (optional)
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2–4 Tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken stock and water, and stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and bay leaf (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- If using raw chicken, add the chicken breasts to the pot. Let the chicken cook in the simmering liquid for 15-20 minutes, until fully cooked through. If using cooked chicken, skip this step and proceed to the next.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup.
- Add the uncooked orzo pasta and lemon juice. Stir to combine and let it cook for 8-10 minutes, until the orzo is tender.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. If using, stir in the lemon zest.
- Remove the bay leaf and discard.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped parsley for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- For a shortcut, you can use cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great) to skip the cooking time for the chicken breasts.
- If you prefer a thinner soup, add more water or chicken broth to your desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American