Lemon Chicken-Orzo Soup
Lemon Chicken-Orzo Soup is a delightful weeknight dish featuring bright lemon and tender pasta.
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 350 kcal
Main Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4 medium carrots thinly sliced
- 3 stalks celery cut into small pieces
- 2 medium leeks halved lengthwise and sliced into half moons
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme chopped
- 4 wide strips lemon zest
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (about 3 pounds)
- 2 qt. low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo
- ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
Cooking Steps
Heat the olive oil in a medium dutch oven over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, and leeks and sprinkle with the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks soften, about 5 minutes.
Add the thyme, lemon zest, bay leaves, and chicken to the pot. Pour in the broth and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove the chicken to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Shred or cut the meat into bite-size pieces and discard the skin and bones.
Return the soup to a simmer and add the orzo. Cook until the orzo is just tender, 8 to 10 minutes, returning the chicken to the pot in the last few minutes to heat through. Remove the soup from the heat and discard the lemon zest and bay leaves. Season with salt to taste. Stir in the lemon juice and dill.
Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 35gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chicken soup, Comfort Food, Lemon Chicken-Orzo Soup, lemon soup, soups, weeknight dinner