Description
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a comforting and flavorful recipe featuring tender chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, and kale simmered in a zesty lemon-infused broth with orzo pasta. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, it combines wholesome ingredients in one pot for ease and nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 lbs uncooked chicken breasts
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 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 the chopped onion, celery, and carrots and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Chicken: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the chicken breasts along with oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and a bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Cook Orzo: Add the uncooked orzo to the pot and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and the chicken is tender enough to shred.
- Shred Chicken and Add Final Ingredients: Remove the chicken breasts from the soup, shred or chop them into bite-sized pieces, and return them to the pot. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and kale leaves. Mix well and cook briefly until the kale is wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy warm for a nutritious and comforting meal.
Notes
- This soup is easy to make in one pot, making cleanup simple and perfect for busy weeknights.
- For a lighter version, use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce added salt.
- Fresh kale can be substituted with spinach or Swiss chard if preferred.
- If you prefer, shredded rotisserie chicken can be used to save time.
- The lemon zest and juice add a refreshing brightness that complements the savory broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- 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
