Description
A bright and comforting soup made with tender chicken, orzo pasta, and a refreshing lemony broth, perfect for a cozy meal or a light dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Add the orzo and dried thyme. Reduce heat and simmer for about 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste if you prefer a stronger or milder lemon flavor.
- Leftovers may thicken as the orzo absorbs more broth; add more broth when reheating if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 45mg