Description
Greek-inspired lemon chicken orzo soup brings comfort and zest to winter meals. Hearty broth, tender chicken, and bright citrus notes create a nourishing dish you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup (170 g) uncooked orzo pasta
- 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Flavor Foundation: Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over moderate heat, creating a rich base for the soup’s depth.
- Aromatic Vegetables: Sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery until softened and fragrant, allowing their natural sweetness to develop.
- Herb Infusion: Add minced garlic, dried thyme, oregano, and bay leaf, releasing their intense aromatics and creating a robust flavor profile.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil and preparing for chicken poaching.
- Chicken Cooking: Immerse whole chicken breasts in the bubbling broth, reducing heat to a gentle simmer and covering the pot to ensure tender, even cooking.
- Meat Preparation: Remove chicken and meticulously shred into delicate threads, then return to the simmering broth to maintain moisture and flavor.
- Pasta Incorporation: Introduce orzo, stirring periodically and cooking until it reaches a perfect al dente texture.
- Final Flourishes: Enhance the soup with bright lemon zest and juice, then gently fold in spinach leaves until they delicately wilt.
- Seasoning Refinement: Fine-tune with salt and freshly ground black pepper, removing the bay leaf to prevent any bitter undertones.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle the aromatic soup into bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Tenderness: Poach chicken breasts at a low, gentle simmer to prevent toughening and maintain juicy, soft texture.
- Control Orzo Consistency: Stir pasta frequently and check package cooking time to achieve perfect al dente texture without becoming mushy.
- Enhance Citrus Brightness: Add lemon zest and juice at the end of cooking to preserve fresh, vibrant flavor and prevent bitter undertones.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for vegetarian version; use gluten-free orzo for celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg