Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe is the perfect blend of tangy and savory flavors. With cooked chicken, tender orzo pasta, and a burst of zesty lemon, this soup is sure to brighten your day.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (1)

You are going to love the fresh flavor in thislemon chicken orzo soupwith kale. Sometimes soups can feel heavy and you have leftover soup in your fridge that lasts forever because you just aren’t feeling up to it.

Not this recipe! This is packed with kale, carrots, orzo, and chicken all smothered in a lemon broth that makes it feel light but also fills you up. It is a magical soup indeed!

Lemon orzo chicken soup is easily customizable too. If you don’t have kale, you can use fresh spinach though that will change the texture of the finished soup.

I like it better than a classic chicken noodle soup. Chicken lemon orzo soup is a delicious soup you will reach for again and again.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (2)

What is Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup?

Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup is a comforting and nourishing dish that combines tender chicken, wholesome orzo, and fresh kale in a flavorful broth infused with zesty lemon juice and slices.

It is a perfect soup for a chilly day or those sick days when you need a burst of citrus flavor.

What ingredients are in Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup?

  • Onion:gives a flavorful base to the soup.
  • Carrot:adds sweetness and color to the soup base.
  • Chicken Broth or Stock:gives the soup a rich and flavorful base.
  • Chicken:chopped pieces of chicken make the soup hearty and satisfying.
  • Kale:remove the ribs and finely chop the leaves to add nutritious leafy greens to the soup.
  • Orzo:a small rice-shaped pasta that gives the soup body and texture.
  • Lemon (juice and slices):this gives you a lemony broth that gives the whole dish a refreshing citrus flavor.
  • Olive Oil:use this to sauté the onions and carrots, enhancing the overall taste.

Pro Tip: Use a rotisserie chicken to pull out meat for the lemon chicken soup with orzo. Then for an even more flavorful soup, use the bones to make a homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought broth.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (3)

How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup:

  1. Sautéonion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent, thenaddshredded carrots andsautéfor another minute.
  2. Pourin chicken stock/broth,bring to a boil, and thenreduceheat to medium.
  3. Addorzo andcookfor 6 minutes.
  4. Stir inchopped chicken and kale, andcookfor an additional 1-2 minutes.
  5. Removefrom heat, add lemon juice and lemon slices, andstir well.

Pro Tip:If you prefer a creamier texture in your chicken orzo lemon soup, you can add a splash of heavy cream just before serving.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (4)

Is Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Healthy?

Yes Chicken Orzo Soup is healthy! This soup is packed with nutritious ingredients like lean chicken, kale, and carrots, which gives you a wholesome and balanced meal. To make this dish even healthier, use whole wheat orzo to give you added fiber.

What kind of chicken should I use in Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup?

You can use any kind of chicken to make Lemon Orzo Soup. You could use chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, or a mix of light and dark meat by using a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store. My favorite kind of chicken is whatever leftover chicken I have from the night before.

The next time you have chicken leftovers, make a large pot of this Greeklemon chicken orzo soup and eat it throughout the week.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (5)

What to Serve with Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup:

Serve Lemon and Chicken Orzo Soup with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad. I like to serve all my favorite soups with homemade crusty bread at dinner and then with an easy salad the next day for lunch.

Pro Tip:Don’t forget your favorite garnishes! I like to use a little fresh parsley, lemon zest, and black pepper.

How to Store Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup:

Store leftover Orzo Soup with lemon and chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The fresh lemon juice will keep the other ingredients fresh as it sits.

When you reheat it, you may need to add extra broth if the orzo soaks up too much liquid as it sits. Pasta likes to do that.

Note:Be sure to remove the lemon slices before storing orzo soup to prevent bitterness. Lemon rinds can turn the whole soup bitter.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (6)

Can Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Be Frozen?

Yes, Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup can be frozen. You can freeze this soup for up to 2-3 months. Just remember to leave out the lemon slices before freezing. Lemon rind can turn your liquid broth bitter.

Can Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Be Made Ahead of Time?

Yes Orzo Soup with chicken can be made ahead of time! This is a great dish to make one day and then reheat it when ready to serve. Just remember to remove the lemon slices before storing.

Pro Tip:This is a great on the go lunch item. Reheat it in the morning and ladle soup into a thermos that keeps things hot. Then at lunch you will have a hot soup ready to eat!

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (7)

Additional Award Winning Soups You’ll Love…

  • Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Ginger Butternut Squash Soup
  • Cheese Soup Recipe
  • Bacon and Beans Soup
  • Salmon Corn Chowder
  • Mexican Clam Chowder
  • Corn Chowder with Bacon and Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Chili Queso
  • Chicken Corn Chili
  • Colorado Green Chili Recipe
  • Lentil Noodle Soup
  • Butternut Squash Potato Soup
  • Asparagus Vichyssoise
  • Onion Cheese Soup

ThisLemon Chicken Orzo Soupis a quick and nourishing meal that will brighten up your day!

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (8)

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Yield: 6 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

With cooked chicken, tender orzo pasta, and a burst of zesty lemon, this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is sure to brighten your day.

Instructions

  1. Sauté chopped onion in olive oil until translucent, 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add carrots to onion, and sauté another minute.
  3. Add chicken broth to onions and carrots and bring to a boil.
  4. Lower heat to medium, and add orzo.
  5. After 6 minutes, add chopped chicken and kale, cook for 1-2 minutes more.
  6. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and add lemon slices to soup.

Notes

If storing leftover soup, remove lemon slices...if left in soup, it will get bitter.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 298Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 1923mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 24g

Originally Posted: November 30, 2015

Photos and Text Updated: August 22, 2023

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (2024)

FAQs

What does adding lemon to soup do? ›

Lemons are a chicken soup game changer. Why? They brighten up and balance the salty, rich flavors of the dish, and make all of the ingredients come into line. Like a vinaigrette on a salad, the pickle on a burger, and the sour cream in a coffee cake, a squeeze of lemon gives chicken soup a game-changing brightness.

How many calories in a bowl of chicken orzo soup? ›

454 Calories

Why add lemon juice to vegetable soup? ›

Fresh lemon juice squeezed into the soup at the very end wakens up the broth. The soup won't taste lemony, just brightened and lively. Fresh herbs and fat from a dollop of prepared pesto stirred into each bowl before serving is a real treat.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What can I put in my soup to make it taste better? ›

Got a soup that tastes a little bland and unexciting? Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok.

Is orzo less fattening than pasta? ›

Is pasta or orzo healthier? Orzo is rice-shaped pasta. Although its appearance resembles grains of rice, orzo is actually made from a specific type of flour called semolina. Since orzo is a type of pasta, the health benefits of orzo and pasta made from the same ingredients are the same.

Does orzo have less calories than rice? ›

Orzo is a type of pasta that's similar to rice in shape, size, and texture. Whole-wheat orzo packs more fiber and protein than regular orzo, which makes it the healthier choice. Still, it's fairly high in calories, providing about 50% more calories than an equal serving of white rice.

Does rice or orzo have more calories? ›

Caloric Content

A serving of cooked orzo (½ cup) contains approximately 110 calories, while the same amount of cooked rice typically ranges from 90 to 150 calories, depending on the variety. It's important to note that the caloric content of rice can vary significantly based on the type of rice and the cooking method.

Is orzo good or bad for you? ›

Orzo can fit beautifully into your meals, potentially offering valuable nutrients. It comes packed with carbs, making it an energy source for your daily needs. Its whole-grain variants offer added fiber and nutrients.

Is orzo a bad carb? ›

Orzo has a very high carbohydrate content. People who follow keto diets avoid consuming too many carbohydrates since it prevents fat burning. Therefore, it is unsuitable for keto diets. Whole grain orzo has a lesser amount of carbohydrates as compared to the white flour version.

Is orzo better for you than rice? ›

Orzo is a good source of thiamin and niacin, also providing some B6, folate, iron and zinc. White rice delivers more zinc than the others, but has much smaller amounts of other nutrients.

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

What does lemon juice do for chicken soup? ›

use a bit of lemon juice in mine to brighten up the. flavor, and it adds such a welcome element.

Can we use lemon juice instead of vinegar in soup? ›

What can be used instead of vinegar in making a cream of corn soup? - Quora. Instead of vinegar, there are several alternatives you can use to add acidity and tanginess to a cream of corn soup. Here are some options: Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice can provide a similar tangy flavor as vinegar.

Is lemon juice in soup good for you? ›

In addition to enhancing the flavor, lemon is a great source of the antioxidant vitamin C. Though Avgolemono is a Greek classic, similar dishes can be found throughout the Mediterranean. In addition to its comforting appeal, the soup is loved for its versatility.

What happens when you add lemon while cooking? ›

You can add lemon or lime juice while food is cooking, and it will mellow out as it cooks. Using some fresh juice to boost the flavor adds a bright hit of acid that wakes up your taste buds.

What happens when you add lemon to your food? ›

Lemons may aid weight loss and reduce your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive issues, and cancer. Not only are lemons a very healthy fruit, but they also have a distinct, pleasant taste and smell that make them a great addition to foods and drinks.

Does lemon enhance flavor? ›

Lemon has the power to lift all the flavors in a dish. As an acidic ingredient, it brings flavors to life—through tangy contrast, it highlights the sweet, salty or savory elements in a dish. So when you add lemon, you aren't just adding lemon flavor, you're developing flavor in the entire dish.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5602

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.