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A bowl of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with chicken, orzo, and fresh herbs.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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A comforting and bright soup made with roasted chicken, tender orzo, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon finish, perfect for any rainy night.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups roasted chicken, diced Leftover roasted chicken saves time
  • 1 cup orzo pasta Adjust based on desired thickness of soup
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach Add at the end to keep bright
  • 6 cups chicken broth Low-sodium is preferred
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice Start with less and add to taste
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper To taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Prep the vegetables and chicken: dice the onion, celery, and carrots; shred or dice the roasted chicken; measure the orzo and broth.
  2. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  3. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 6–8 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Pour in the 6 cups chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Add 1 cup orzo and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente—about 8–10 minutes depending on brand. Watch carefully so the orzo doesn’t overcook.
  6. Stir in the 2 cups diced roasted chicken just long enough to heat through, 2–3 minutes.
  7. Remove pot from heat and stir in 2 cups fresh spinach until wilted.
  8. Add 1/4 cup lemon juice, taste, and adjust with more lemon, salt, or pepper as needed. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stove and add broth if it thickens. For freezing, cook half the orzo separately and freeze the broth and chicken only.
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