Savoring the Season: Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
PUBLISHED ON: 01.17.2014
Soup in my world is fundamental. It is basic, real and soulful. My love affair with soup may be because simply stated Soup can just happen. It can be made from almost anything leftover bits of meat, veggies, discarded celery tops, a handful of beans or pasta woven together in a broth, it just works, and is almost always good.
This is a Greek inspired soup that delivers on simplicity and flavor. A rich lemon herb infused stock with chicken, orzo pasta, carrots, celery and greens. Damn, it is good. Be smart and double-batch this recipe.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Recipe from Prevention
Serves 8
Ingredients:
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
4 carrots, halved length-wise and chopped
3 ribs celery halved length-wise and chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3- 32 oz boxes (12 cups) low sodium, chicken stock
1lb. cooked chicken ( I used chicken breast but a small rotisserie chicken would work)
8-ounces orzo pasta
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
Zest from one lemon
Black pepper, to taste
8-oz. baby spinach ( I used kale with good results)
Directions:
In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat oil on medium heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, and the onions become translucent. Add in the garlic, and cook for another minute or so. Add in thyme, bay leaf, oregano and pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds or so, and add in the broth. Bring to a boil and then partially cover and turn down to a simmer. Cook until the vegetables are just soft, about 5-6 minutes.
Add in the pasta, lemon juice, lemon zest. Stir. Simmer 7-8 minutes.
Add in the cooked chicken. Allow to heat through. Stir in the baby spinach and allow to get wilted in hot broth. Remove bay leaf and serve.
Enjoy!
Farm Girl
What a yummy recipe. I do have lemons too. I will need to make this one.
sangeeta
Really a comforting soup. Looks gorgeous too 🙂
The JR
Truly delicious looking soup!happy weekend.
Hamaree Rasoi
Wonderful and delicious looking lemon soup. Lovely preparation.Deepa
That Girl
I am definitely in soup mode right now. We're having it for dinner tonight and tomorrow night!
Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon
A little lemon just brightens a soup. This sound delicious and easy.
Grandbabycakes
This soup looks so comforting! I would love a hearty bowl right now!
Rambling Tart
I've been wanting to make this soup ever since I saw the recipe in a Greek cookbook ages ago. Sigh – yours looks amazing! 🙂
chow and chatter
wonderful soup for winter and I love your garden so impressive
Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen
Orzo and chicken are so good together. I need to make this soup since it's cold down this way.Sam
Barbara
Oh, I'm going to make that soup, Velva. How fabulous…the lemon addition is perfect.Brrrrrr….even in s. fl.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch)
This looks so flavorful, brothy and wonderful. Thanks for the recipe Velva.
Bill
Looks delicious, Velva! I'm into soups as well and a variation on chicken soup always gets my attention. Great post!
Angie's Recipes
I love the combination of flavours, Velva. The soup looks very tasty.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
My husband makes a delicious lemon chicken soup with rice. I've got to suggest the orzo and spinach to him as it sounds great.
Catherine
Dear Velva, I love soup! Especially chicken soup. I like the Greek style chicken soup with the lemon. It is delicious.Keep cozy and warm!! Blessings dear. Catherine xo
Agrigirl
Soup is fundamental! I love that line and I love your recipe. We have a Monday – soup day rule in our house.
T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types
Yes, soup is the ultimate creative venture – anything good can happen! Lemon is such a delicious base for this soup!
Nammi
yumm, I love the citrusy flavour and the soup looks so comforting, hope this keeps this you warm during cold nights. 🙂
Unknown
I just made a similar recipe the other day! Thought it would be too light for my family but they loved it!
Terry and Linda
Thank you for this recipe. I'm a huge fan of lemon!Lindahttp://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
This soup would suit me down to the ground. I make a lemon soup that I love but yours sounds even better!
Unknown
hmmm… I could really use a bowl or two of that delicious soup. I love lemons in chicken soup and bril that you use not just the juice but also the zest. Yum!
Suzan
I love orzo pasta. Now that I'm nervous about using rice, this is such a good substitute!! I need to go in and make a pot of chicken soup for this coming cold week!!
Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina
This soup is truly food for the soul and oh so comforting this time of year! I LOVE the lemon in your orzo soup and I'm sure you have some super-freshly picked lemons right now in Florida! Hope your 2014 is going well and full of good things, my friend!xoRoz
Tablescapes By Diane
Hi lovely lady.This looks so flavorful, I love comforting hot soup any time of the day looks wonderful. Thanks for the recipe. Also thanks so much for your sweet comments on my new post.xxooDiane
Blond Duck
That sounds delicious!
Monet
A beautiful soup. I've yet to make a lemon orzo soup before…I've had it a few times at restaurants but now it's time to recreate it at home. Thank you for sharing!
Rhodesia
I have saved this recipe as it really does sound good. Sorry I have not been visiting. I have had endless problems with Google which continue. All sorts of things are missing from my page, and comments work sometimes and not others. Even replies on my own blog are not working correctly. My patience is wearing very thin I am afraid! Have a wonderful week Diane
Kitchen Belleicious
the lemon adds a nice fresh flavor to the chicken broth. I love that and the use of orzo instead of pasta or plain rice
Susan
Looks yummy, Velva! Comfort in a bowl
Aggie
I could eat soup every day. This sounds fantastic.