Description
A hearty and comforting Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and nutritious kale simmered in a flavorful broth with a bright hint of lemon. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1.5 lbs uncooked chicken breasts
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 4 cups kale leaves, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, celery, and carrots and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Chicken: Stir in chicken broth, uncooked chicken breasts, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Cook Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo to the soup and continue cooking uncovered for 10 minutes until the orzo is al dente and chicken is tender enough to shred.
- Shred Chicken and Add Kale: Remove the chicken breasts and shred or chop them. Return the chicken to the soup along with the lemon zest, lemon juice, and roughly chopped kale leaves. Stir well to combine.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Stir again and serve hot for a nourishing and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
- Substitute orzo with another small pasta like acini di pepe if desired.
- For a heartier soup, add more vegetables such as zucchini or spinach.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop, adding a little broth if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 232 kcal
- Sugar: 2.9 g
- Sodium: 466 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.5 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 28.2 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg
