If you love savory lemon dishes, you’ll love our Chicken Francaise and Lemon Orzo Pasta! I’ve made countless soups over the years, but I know my readers are going to love this lemon chicken orzo soup. It’s incredibly comforting and the zesty, lemon-infused broth makes it truly special. For added convenience, this recipe can be made stovetop or in the slow cooker. See the recipe card for more details. For those new to orzo, it’s a small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly, adding a wonderful texture similar to rice but in a fraction of the time. I use it frequently, and it never disappoints. This recipe is like a fresh, elevated twist on the classic chicken noodle soup!
What You’ll Need
To make this lemon chicken orzo soup, you’ll need simple, fresh ingredients that bring out the best flavors in each other. Here’s what you’ll want to gather:
Carrots, celery, and onion for a classic vegetable base, known as a mirepoix, which adds depth and richness. Butter and olive oil to bring a touch of creaminess and depth to the sautéed vegetables. Fresh garlic for added aroma and taste. Chicken stock for a rich, savory base. Low-sodium is a great choice to help control the salt level. Chicken thighs (bone-in and skin removed) for a juicy, tender meat option. Substitute with chicken breasts if you prefer. Dried oregano and fresh parsley to add warm and herbaceous notes. Orzo pasta for a perfect texture and body. Fresh lemon zest and juice for the finishing touch of brightness. I highly recommend using fresh lemon for this recipe. The brightness it adds cannot be found in a bottle.
Shortcuts for Quick & Easy Preparation
If you’re short on time, here are a few time-saving tips:
Pre-chopped vegetables and onions are available in most grocery stores and save prep time. Rotisserie chicken is a great substitute; simply shred and add it during the final steps.
How To Make Lemon Orzo Soup
You can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of this post (click the button above), but you can read a summary with step-by-step instructions and photos for each step below. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion for about 5 to 7 minutes or until softened. This process caramelizes the veggies, enhancing the depth of flavor. Add Garlic: Make a small well in the middle of the vegetables and add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant. This quick step prevents the garlic from burning and brings out its sweet aroma. Combine Stock and Herbs: Add chicken stock, oregano, parsley, chicken thighs, and an initial sprinkle of salt and pepper. Bringing it to a boil and then simmering for 30 minutes melds the flavors and cooks the chicken to tender perfection. Cook the Orzo: Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. Stir in the orzo and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes or until the orzo reaches your desired tenderness. Cooking the pasta directly in the soup allows it to absorb the rich flavors. Shred the Chicken: While the orzo cooks, shred or chop the chicken and set it aside. This makes it easy to add back once the orzo is ready. Finish with Lemon Zest and Juice: Add lemon zest and juice, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately.
Erren’s Kitchen is written and produced for informational intentions only. We are not certified nutritionists, and the nutritional information found on this site has not been assessed or authorized by a nutritionist or the FDA. The nutritional information found in our recipes is offered as an estimate and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. The estimated data is provided as a courtesy and calculated through a third-party online nutritional calculator, spoonacular API. Although we do our best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered rough estimates. Many factors, such as brands or products purchased and the nutritional fluctuations that naturally occur in fresh produce, can alter the effectiveness of the nutritional information in any recipe. Furthermore, various online calculators provide different results depending on their particular algorithms and nutrition fact sources. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
