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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

A heartwarming soup that combines tender chicken, orzo pasta, and fresh herbs in a bright, zesty broth. Perfect for cozy family dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Mediterranean
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 1 medium yellow onion, small-diced for a sweet base
  • 2 medium carrots, diced adds subtle sweetness
  • 3 stalks celery, diced enhances the broth
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced because more garlic is always better
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning for an aromatic punch
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour helps thicken the broth
  • 5 cups chicken broth use low-sodium for better control
  • 2 cups water balances the concentration of the broth
  • 2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon roasted chicken base flavor; enhances the broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh Italian parsley plus garnish
  • 2 sprigs fresh dill plus garnish
  • 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken; convenient
  • ¾ cup dried orzo pasta an excellent filling addition
  • 1 lemon juiced fresh juice is key!
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Sauté Vegetables
  1. In a large 6-quart Dutch oven or pot, heat a few generous drizzles of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the small-diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until they’re just softened and the onions are translucent.
Add Aromatics and Flour
  1. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, sautéing for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
Add Broth
  1. Slowly pour in the 5 cups of chicken broth, stirring to avoid lumps. Add the 2 cups of water and the 2 teaspoons of Better Than Bouillon. Toss in the parsley and dill sprigs, and season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
Add Chicken and Simmer
  1. Gently bring the soup to a gentle boil before reducing to a simmer. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and let it cook for about 5 minutes so all those delicious flavors can meld together.
Stir in Orzo
  1. Stir in the ¾ cup of dried orzo and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and cooked through.
Finish the Soup
  1. Finally, stir in the juice of half a lemon (or to taste). Remove the herb sprigs from the pot, discard, and serve hot, garnished with more chopped herbs and an extra squeeze of lemon juice.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The orzo may soak up some broth, so feel free to add a splash of water or broth when reheating!