Description
A comforting and flavorful soup made with chicken, orzo pasta, and fresh vegetables, finished with a zesty lemon touch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 6 cups (1.4 litres) chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 680 grams uncooked chicken breast
- 1 cup (170 grams) uncooked orzo
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, or more to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add celery, carrots, and onion; sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour, stirring constantly, and cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw taste.
- Pour in chicken broth while stirring to dissolve the flour completely. Add Italian seasoning and chicken breasts. Increase heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked through.
- Stir in orzo and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until orzo is tender.
- Remove the chicken breasts, cut or shred them into bite-sized pieces, and return to the pot. Add lemon juice, fresh parsley, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the lemon juice according to your taste preference.
- Can be made ahead and reheated, although orzo may absorb some broth over time.
- For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg