Description
This comforting Chicken Orzo Soup is a hearty, veggie-packed bowl of goodness that comes together in just 30 minutes. Tender shredded chicken, delicate orzo pasta, and vibrant spinach simmer in a lemony, herb-scented broth for a cozy, one-pot meal that feels both light and satisfying perfect for busy weeknights or soothing sick days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, add the shredded chicken and orzo pasta. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for another 2–3 minutes, just until wilted and bright green.
- Season the soup with salt, pepper, and the juice of 1 lemon (or to taste), adjusting the seasoning as needed.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth so you can better control the salt level at the end.
- If your soup thickens as it sits or after chilling, add a splash of broth or water when reheating to loosen it up.
- Taste the soup after adding lemon juice adjust with more lemon, salt, or pepper until the flavors are bright and balanced.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: chicken orzo soup, lemon chicken orzo soup, chicken soup with vegetables, easy chicken soup, one pot soup