With spring coming and warmer weather on the horizon, I love to make this Easy Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe (with Herbs)! It’s a great way to stay warm on chilly nights while still being able to enjoy the freshness of spring! This is a quick and easy soup recipe that’s full of bright lemon flavor!
Why You’ll Love…
This is a quick and easy Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup that comes together in less than thirty minutes! I like to use a rotisserie chicken to make this soup even quicker! It’s a great weeknight meal that has tons of bright flavor but still feels warm and hearty! It’s a bright and lemony spin on the classic chicken noodle soup that the whole family will love!
Spring Refresh
With all sorts of fresh fruit and veggies popping up, I love being able to incorporate bright flavors of spring into my savory recipes as well!
This recipe uses bright lemon zest and fresh carrots really bring the flavors of spring to your dinner table! I like to add a few fresh herbs to the end right before I serve it! The bright lemon flavor pairs perfectly with this brothy soup!
Whenever I’m using lemon, I always try to add in the lemon zest and juice! The zest has so much lemon flavor, it’s almost a crime to not add it in! Plus, I love seeing the little flecks of bright yellow in the soup!
If you need another lemon recipe to add, try out this Lemon Poppyseed Loaf!
Additions and Substitutions
I love a delicious recipe, but what I love even more is a recipe that be swapped and switched up to fit what I have on hand and who I’m cooking for! It’s always great to be able to switch up a recipe while still being able to retain that delicious hearty flavor!
Orzo – I love adding tender orzo pasta to soups, salads, and risottos! It’s pretty easy to find nowadays, but I have a few other options! You can rice, or any other smaller rice-shaped pasta! You can really use whatever pasta you like, but just keep in mind that the larger your pasta is, the longer it will take to cook! If you really like adding rice to your chicken soup, I have a Chicken and Rice recipe you love here!
Fresh Herbs – I love adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley to my recipes, especially during spring time! I think it helps wake everything up! But if you were wanting this to be more of a greek lemon soup, you could add in a few pinches of fresh dill as well! Really add fresh herbs will be delicious in here! Thyme would work just as well!
Extra Vegetables – You can also add in some extra veggies if you really wanted to load up! You can add in fresh spinach or any other kind of leafy green to this soup as well!
Equipment Needed:
Large Dutch Oven – I love using my Dutch oven for soup recipes! There’s something so hearty and comforting about pulling out a large pot and letting it simmer on the stove! It’s also great at keeping the soup warm if you make it ahead of time!
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Ingredient List:
See Recipe Card for Full Details
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1. Chop Up Onion And Carrots. Grate Garlic Or Used Pre-Chopped Garlic. Zest The Lemon.
Step 2. Saute Onions, Garlic, And Carrots With Olive Oil over medium heat
Step 3: Add In Orzo
Step 4. Add In Chicken Broth And Bring To A Boil. Once The Orzo Is Cooked, Add In Chicken, Lemon Zest, And Juice.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
If you’re going to store this soup, I recommend letting the soup cool completely before storing in an airtight container for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator!
I like to use rotisserie chicken to make this easier, but you can also just make a large batch of chicken or use whatever leftover chicken you have in your fridge! This is really a great recipe for cleaning out your fridge because you can use leftover rice and chicken to toss in here! You could also use chicken thighs as well, if you prefer dark meat!
If you wanted to make this vegetarian, you can swap out chicken broth for vegetable broth and add in tofu or chickpeas to add some protein!
I like to add a squeeze of lemon juice right before I serve it so the lemon flavor brightens everything up!
This Lemon Orzo chicken soup is a bright and comforting soup that’s perfect for any busy weeknights or a cozy weekend! I love to finish this soup with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, some parmesan cheese, and a few pinches of black pepper! It’s warm and cozy, while still retaining that bright fresh flavor from the lemon and herbs! The lemony broth and tender chicken just gets better and better, so be sure to save any leftover soup for lunch the next day!
Cheers!
-Holly Michelle
10-Ingredient Easy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion chopped
- 1 cup Carrots chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 8 cup Chicken broth
- 2 cup Shredded Chicken cooked
- 1 cup Orzo
- 2 Lemons zested and juiced
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- To prep, chop onions and carrots into small pieces. Grate garlic, and zest the lemon.
- In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil, chopped onions, and carrots. Let cook for about 10 minutes.1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Onion, 1 cup Carrots
- Then add in grated garlic and let cook for another 2 minutes.2 cloves Garlic
- Add in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add in orzo.8 cup Chicken broth, 1 cup Orzo
- Once orzo is almost cooked, add in chicken, lemon zest and lemon juice.2 cup Shredded Chicken, 2 Lemons
- Serve into a large bowl with a sprinkle of parsley! Enjoy!Parsley
So fresh tasting! I love the picture step by step guide as well. Delicious soup any time of year!