Description
A warm and comforting soup bursting with the bright zest of lemons, tender chicken, and chewy orzo pasta, perfect for family dinners or cozy nights at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
- Add the vegetables: Toss in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Introduce the herbs: Sprinkle in the dried oregano and thyme, stirring to release their aroma.
- Pour in the broth: Carefully pour the chicken broth into the pot, bringing to a gentle boil.
- Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8–10 minutes).
- Bring it all together: Stir in the shredded chicken, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with parsley.
Notes
This soup gets better with time; prepare it a day ahead for deeper flavors. Add a splash of broth when reheating as orzo absorbs liquid.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg