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Fresh Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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A bright and comforting soup featuring tender chicken, fresh lemon, baby spinach, and orzo pasta, perfect for quick and healthy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3/4 cup (about 120 g) orzo pasta
  • 3 cups (about 90 g) fresh baby spinach, washed
  • 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley or dill for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry the baby spinach. Juice and zest the lemon, keeping juice and zest separate.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent and carrots soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the pot. Sprinkle with dried oregano, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until chicken browns slightly but is not fully cooked.
  4. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and flavors meld.
  5. Uncover and stir in the orzo pasta. Cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender but still slightly firm.
  6. Stir in baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Remove pot from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or dill if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Add lemon juice at the end to avoid bitterness. Do not overcook orzo to prevent mushiness. If orzo absorbs too much broth, add more broth or water to loosen soup. Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled for best flavor. Spinach should be added last to keep it vibrant and tender.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, orzo soup, healthy chicken soup, comfort food, quick soup recipe, spinach soup, easy dinner

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/fresh-lemon-chicken-orzo-soup-recipe-easy-healthy-comfort-food/