Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is light, flavorful, and comforting-perfect for busy weeknights when you need a healthy, kid-approved dinner on the table fast. Its bright, lemony flavor keeps it fresh and satisfying, and each bowl packs 30 grams of protein!

If you're looking for more delicious chicken soup recipes, be sure to check out my Chicken & Wild Rice Soup or my Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili recipes!

Select Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - You'll add these uncooked. I like to trim all the visible fat off of my chicken breasts. You could even slice these horizontally to help the chicken cook faster if you're short on time.
• Orzo - You can use regular orzo or grab a gluten-free orzo to make this recipe gluten-free.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Recipe Tips & Variations

➡️ Use Cooked or Rotisserie Chicken - Save time by using shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking raw chicken. Cook time will be more like 10-15 minutes until orzo is cooked and flavors have time to develop.

➡️ Make it Meal-Prep Friendly: - This soup keeps well in the fridge in an air-tight container for about 3-4 days.

How To Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Step 1: Once the butter and oil are warm and melted, add the chopped celery, carrots, and onions and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add the flour and cook for another minute or so.

Step 3: Pour in chicken broth and stir until the flour has dissolved. Then add the Italian seasoning and chicken breasts. Bring the soup to a boil then cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the orzo and cook for another 10 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through. (Keep the lid off and stir it fairly often because it tends to stick to the bottom of the pot!)

Step 4: Take the chicken out of the pot and cut it up, then add it back in.

Step 5: Add the lemon juice, parsley, and season the soup with salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately.

Recipe FAQs

Get Healthy Dinner Recipes Without the Stress! Check out my Wholesome Meals Made Easy meal planning app for more easy, healthy recipes your whole crew will actually love. It's like having a dietitian in your back pocket - quick, balanced, and family-approved!

Other Delicious Soup Recipes

If you tried this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup or any other recipe on my site, please leave a rating and comment below! Thanks for visiting!

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Hannah Holzum

This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is the perfect balance of cozy and refreshing. Whether you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a meal prep option to keep you satisfied all week, this soup has you covered. Plus, its light, lemon flavor make it just as fitting for warm-weather meals as it is for chilly nights.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 sticks celery chopped finely
• ▢ 2 medium carrots peeled & chopped finely
• ▢ ½ medium onion chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon butter
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons flour
• ▢ 6 cups chicken broth
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts
• ▢ 1 cup uncooked orzo
• ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice or to taste
• ▢ 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or to taste
• ▢ Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Sauté the celery, carrots, and onions in a large soup pot with the butter and oil over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add the flour and cook for another minute or so.
• Pour in chicken broth and stir until the flour has dissolved, then add the Italian seasoning and chicken. Bring the soup to a boil.
• Cover the soup (lid slightly ajar), and reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir in the orzo and cook for another 10 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through. Keep the lid off and stir frequently as the orzo will stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Take the chicken out of the pot and cut it up, then add it back in. Add the lemon juice, parsley, and season the soup with salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 30gFat: 8gSodium: 1078mgFiber: 2g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!