Description
A comforting and flavorful Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup featuring tender chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, kale, and bright lemon zest simmered in a savory chicken broth. This one-pot meal is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, packed with protein and fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 cup carrots (chopped)
- 1 cup celery (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 lbs uncooked chicken breasts
Seasonings and Grains
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
Finishing Touches
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 4 cups kale leaves (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, celery, and carrots, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release aroma.
- Add Broth and Chicken: Stir in the chicken broth, whole chicken breasts, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Cook Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo directly into the simmering soup. Continue cooking, uncovered, for another 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente and chicken is tender enough to shred.
- Shred Chicken and Add Final Ingredients: Remove chicken breasts from the pot and either shred or cut into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the soup, then stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and roughly chopped kale leaves. Mix well and cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow kale to wilt.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve hot and enjoy your flavorful Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup!
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard for a milder green.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on stovetop.
- For a gluten-free version, replace orzo with rice or gluten-free pasta.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes during sautéing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 232 kcal
- Sugar: 2.9 g
- Sodium: 466.4 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.5 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 28.2 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg
