Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

It is quick and easy and out of this world good!

Recipe Summary Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Inspired by Panera Bread's version, this soup delivers on flavor. Tender chicken in a lemony broth with orzo pasta, carrots, onions, celery, and baby spinach. This has quickly become one of my family's very favorite soup recipes.

Ingredients | Chicken Pasta Recipes Healthy

8 ounces orzo pasta

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 carrots, chopped, or more to taste

3 ribs celery, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon dried oregano

salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 bay leaf

3 (32 ounce) cartons fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

½ cup fresh lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

8 ounces cooked chicken breast, chopped

1 (8 ounce) package baby spinach leaves

1 lemon, sliced for garnish (Optional)

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (Optional)

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water until partially cooked through but not yet soft, about 5 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cooled completely.

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir carrots, celery, and onion in hot oil until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Season mixture with thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf; continue cooking another 30 seconds before pouring chicken broth into the pot.

Bring the broth to a boil. Partially cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir orzo, lemon juice, and lemon zest into the broth; add chicken. Cook until the chicken and orzo are heated through, about 5 minutes. Add baby spinach; cook until the spinach wilts into the broth and the orzo is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with lemon slices and Parmesan cheese.

Info | Chicken Pasta Recipes Healthy

prep: 20 mins cook: 1 hr total: 1 hr 20 mins Servings: 12 Yield: 6 quarts

TAG : Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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