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Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Delicious Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe with step-by-step instructions.
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 lemon juiced and zested for maximum brightness
  • 0.5 cup cream
  • salt
  • pepper
  • ½ 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 around the edges.
  • Once softened, 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 and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
  • Remove the cooked chicken breasts and let cool for 2-3 minutes. While chicken cools, add the orzo to the simmering broth and cook for 8-10 minutes.
  • Chop the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in the lemon juice and zest. Pour in the cream slowly while stirring gently.
  • Fold in the fresh parsley and dill, then return the chicken to the pot.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir gently for 1-2 minutes to warm everything through and serve hot.

Notes

The soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld, making it excellent for meal prep.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 1975kcal
Keyword 30 minute meal, chicken soup, comfort food, Hearty Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, meal prep, orzo soup
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