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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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A bright, comforting soup featuring tender chicken, orzo pasta, fresh lemon juice, and savory broth, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup orzo pasta Can be substituted with gluten-free small pasta.
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and diced celery, sautéeing until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent, about 6–8 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
Cooking
  1. Pour in 8 cups of chicken broth and increase heat to bring the liquid to a gentle boil.
  2. Add 1 cup of orzo pasta and place the whole chicken breast into the simmering broth.
  3. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook until the orzo is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F internally, about 12–15 minutes.
  4. Remove the chicken breast to a cutting board, shred it with two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
  5. Stir in the juice of 1 lemon, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Serving
  1. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 30gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1.5gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding chopped dill or thyme at the end. If using pre-cooked chicken, add it in step 6 to warm through without overcooking. For storage, cool promptly and store in an airtight container for 3–4 days, or freeze in portioned containers for up to 3 months.
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