Go Back

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup for Cozy Soup Dinner Nights

Cozy brothy soup easy weeknight dinner ยท bright lemon flavor with tender chicken and orzo

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 29 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American-inspired comfort food
Calories: 360
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 medium carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 pound cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice plus more to taste
  • 2 cups baby spinach optional
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill optional
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan optional for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, then cook until softened and fragrant, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  2. Stir in the garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, just until the garlic smells fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle boil.
  4. Add the shredded chicken and uncooked orzo. Reduce the heat to a steady simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender, about 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Taste the broth and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
  6. Add the spinach and let it wilt into the soup for 1 to 2 minutes.
  7. Finish with parsley and dill, if using. Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan if you like a little extra richness.

Notes

The broth should taste savory before you add the lemon. If it seems flat, add a little more salt first, then finish with more lemon juice to brighten it up.
Orzo absorbs broth as it sits, so the soup will thicken over time. If you want a looser, brothier texture later, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth when reheating.
Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here and keeps the recipe easy. Leftover roasted chicken is another great option.
If you want a richer soup, stir in a small splash of cream at the end. If you prefer a lighter bowl, leave it brothy and finish with extra lemon.
Dice the vegetables evenly so they soften at the same rate and give the soup a balanced texture.
Taste again right before serving. Lemon can mellow slightly as it sits, so a final squeeze can make the whole pot taste fresher.