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Easy 15-Minute One-Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

lemon chicken orzo soup - featured image
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A quick and comforting one-pot soup featuring tender chicken, bright lemon, and orzo pasta, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you want a fresh, wholesome meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (180 g) orzo pasta
  • Fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup / 60 ml)
  • Lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large deep skillet or medium-sized pot for about 1 minute until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is opaque but not fully cooked through.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Once boiling, stir in the orzo and dried oregano. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Check the orzo for tenderness; it should be al dente but not mushy. Add a splash of water or broth if the mixture becomes too thick.
  8. Turn off heat and stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Let the soup rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Use uniform chicken pieces for even cooking. Don’t skip the lemon zest for essential bright flavor. Stir frequently while simmering to prevent orzo from sticking. Low-sodium broth allows better salt control. Prepping ingredients before heating the pot saves time. Leftover lemon halves can be frozen for future use. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with white beans or chickpeas and use vegetable broth. Gluten-free orzo or rice can be used for gluten-free diets. Adding baby spinach or kale near the end adds nutrition without altering flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, one-pot soup, quick dinner, orzo soup, comfort food, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/easy-15-minute-one-pot-lemon-chicken-orzo-soup-recipe-for-quick-comfort/