Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup (Printable)

Comforting blend of chicken, orzo, spinach, and lemon with Mediterranean flavors served warm.

# What you need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 4 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Pantry

07 - 1 cup orzo pasta
08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Flavorings

10 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)
15 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
04 - Pour in chicken broth, add bay leaf and dried oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
05 - Stir in orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes until spinach is wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh dill or parsley and extra lemon wedges if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Ready in 45 minutes — just 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking stand between you and a deeply satisfying bowl.
  • Bright and nourishing — fresh lemon zest and juice lift the broth into something vibrant and restorative.
  • Dairy-free — naturally light and clean, without sacrificing any richness or flavour.
  • Flexible and forgiving — swap the orzo for rice, use rotisserie chicken, or add extra vegetables you have on hand.
  • Great for meal prep — the soup stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Orzo absorbs liquid as it sits — if you plan to store leftovers, the pasta will continue to swell. Add a splash of broth when reheating to restore the right consistency.
  • Don't skip the lemon zest — the zest carries essential oils that add a floral, aromatic depth the juice alone cannot provide.
  • Rotisserie shortcut — using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken cuts the active cooking time significantly; simply shred and stir it in with the spinach at the end.
  • Egg yolk enrichment — for a silkier, slightly richer broth, whisk 1 egg yolk with a ladleful of hot soup, then stir it back into the pot off the heat.
  • Check your broth labels — store-bought chicken broth can contain hidden allergens or high sodium; choose a low-sodium variety and season to taste at the end.
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