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Bright Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup: A Cozy Weeknight Story

Close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy chicken orzo soup, topped with shredded chicken and fresh parsley.
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This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup delivers bright, comforting flavor in a simple, one-pot meal. It is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that tastes like it simmered for hours.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Stir in the orzo pasta, shredded chicken, oregano, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In a separate small bowl, whisk the fresh lemon juice with the lemon zest.
  6. Temper the eggs: Slowly drizzle about 1 cup of the hot broth from the pot into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
  7. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the soup pot, stirring constantly until the soup thickens slightly. Do not allow the soup to boil after adding the egg mixture.
  8. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and zest.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in the fresh parsley just before serving.

Notes

  • For a creamy chicken orzo soup texture without cream, the egg-lemon mixture (avgolemono style) provides a silky finish.
  • You can use rotisserie chicken for an even faster 30-minute meal preparation.
  • This soup freezes well; add the lemon juice and zest after reheating to maintain brightness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/chicken-orzo-soup-easy-30-minute-recipe/