The Best Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup (Easy One-Pot Recipe)
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a cozy one-pot meal made with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, orzo pasta, and a bright lemony broth. It’s wholesome, comforting, and perfect for an easy family dinner or meal prep.
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or soup pot
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Cutting board
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microplane or zester
- Citrus juicer
- Tongs
- Two forks for shredding chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound large boneless skinless chicken breasts, approximately
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill, optional
- Extra lemon wedges for serving, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
- Stir in the garlic and thyme. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken stock and add the bay leaf. Nestle the chicken breasts into the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Set aside.
- Bring the broth back to a simmer. Stir in the orzo and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
- Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. Simmer for a few minutes until warmed through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the chopped parsley or dill, if using, and serve with fresh lemon wedges.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!