Zesty Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Soup nights just got a delicious upgrade with this pressure cooker chicken orzo soup that delivers comfort in every spoonful.

The rich broth simmers with tender chicken pieces and perfectly cooked orzo pasta.

Packed with vibrant vegetables and herbs, this soup brings warmth to chilly evenings.

Weeknight dinners become effortless with this one-pot wonder that comes together quickly and easily.

Nourishing ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a meal that satisfies hunger and soothes the soul.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of protein, carbs, and savory goodness.

Prepare to savor a soup that will become your new go-to comfort classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need For Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth base for sautéing vegetables with delicate flavor enhancement.
• Onion: Adds sweet, foundational depth and aromatic complexity to the soup's flavor profile.
• Carrots: Introduces natural sweetness and vibrant color with subtle earthy undertones.
• Celery: Contributes crisp texture and light peppery background notes.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, bold flavor punch and aromatic warmth.
• Thyme: Offers herbaceous, slightly minty undertones that complement chicken beautifully.
• Oregano: Brings Mediterranean-inspired zesty, slightly bitter herbal essence.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies overall dish flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and sharp, warming sensation.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Creates gentle spicy kick and exciting flavor dimension.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender protein providing substantial, satisfying main ingredient.
• Chicken Broth: Creates rich, savory liquid foundation with deep, warming characteristics.

• Orzo Pasta: Provides delightful, creamy texture and hearty bulk to the soup.
• Lemon Juice: Introduces bright, tangy freshness that lifts entire dish's flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds vibrant green color and light, clean herbal brightness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional garnish offering salty, nutty, umami complexity.

Tools For Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

• Pressure Cooker: Essential for fast, tender chicken and flavor-packed soup.
• Large Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Two Forks: Ideal for shredding the cooked chicken quickly and evenly.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add spices and seasonings.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, celery, and parsley.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

Easy Cooking Steps For Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

• Fire Up the Flavor Base

Kick off by heating olive oil in your pressure cooker. Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery, letting them dance and soften. Sprinkle in garlic, thyme, oregano, and a pinch of spices to create an aromatic foundation that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Lock in the Chicken Goodness

Nestle chicken breasts into the vegetable mix, then pour in chicken broth until everything is swimming. Secure the lid and set your pressure cooker to work. Let it build pressure and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to become tender and juicy.

• Transform and Combine

Carefully remove the chicken and shred it into delectable pieces. Switch the cooker back on and introduce orzo to the liquid. Let the pasta absorb all those rich flavors for about 5 minutes until perfectly cooked.

• Final Touch of Brightness

Reunite the shredded chicken with the soup. Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley for a burst of freshness. Give everything a gentle stir, taste, and adjust seasonings. Ladle into bowls and enjoy your comforting creation, maybe with a sprinkle of Parmesan on top.

Smart Flavor Ideas For Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

• Chicken Soup Success Secrets: Master the Art of Flavor
• Quick-Cooking Chicken Prep: Pat chicken breasts dry before adding to the pot to ensure better seasoning absorption and more flavorful results.
• Broth Boost Technique: Use homemade or high-quality low-sodium chicken broth for deeper, richer soup flavor that doesn't overpower the delicate ingredients.
• Texture Perfect Tip: Don't overcook orzo – it continues to soften in the hot broth, so remove from heat just as it becomes tender to prevent mushy pasta.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Swap chicken with firm tofu for a vegetarian version, use gluten-free orzo for celiac-friendly meal, or add extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach for increased nutrition.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This soup stores beautifully in refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually develop more intensity overnight, making leftovers potentially even more delicious than the first serving.

Serving Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe With Warm Style

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this soup in deep, wide bowls to capture all the hearty goodness and showcase the tender chicken and orzo.
• Bread Pairing Paradise: Accompany the soup with crusty sourdough bread or warm garlic toast to soak up the flavorful broth and add a delightful crunch.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese on top for an extra layer of richness and tangy flavor.
• Herbal Fresh Finish: Garnish with additional chopped fresh parsley or a few leaves of fresh thyme to brighten the soup and add a pop of green color.

Storage Tips For Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated soup stays delicious for 3-4 days, maintaining its rich flavor and tender chicken texture.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Cool soup completely before freezing in sealed freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 3 months, leaving slight expansion space. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Warm soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add extra chicken broth if soup becomes too thick. Microwave works too – heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. Label with date and contents to track freshness. Perfect for meal prep enthusiasts wanting convenient, nutritious options.

Hearty Pressure Cooker Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Greek-inspired pressure cooker chicken orzo soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending hearty proteins with delicate pasta. Mediterranean flavors and quick preparation make this soup a perfect weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breasts (or thighs), boneless, skinless
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.75 cup orzo pasta
• 1 cup baby spinach or kale
• 0.5 cup frozen peas
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme
• 0.5 tsp dried oregano
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Ignite the pressure cooker’s sauté mode and drizzle olive oil. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they transform into a soft, translucent canvas of flavor.
2. Herbal Awakening: Introduce minced garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Allow the herbs to dance and release their vibrant essence for a moment.
3. Liquid Embrace: Nestle whole chicken breasts into the vegetable-herb landscape, then cascade chicken broth over the ingredients, fully immersing the meat.
4. Pressure Performance: Lock the pressure cooker lid, seal the valve, and launch high-pressure cooking for 10 minutes. After completion, rest for a 5-minute natural pressure release before carefully venting.
5. Chicken Transformation: Extract chicken breasts and delicately shred the meat into tender, elegant morsels using two forks.
6. Pasta Symphony: Activate sauté mode and fold orzo pasta into the aromatic broth. Stir intermittently, guiding the pasta to absorb the rich liquid until it reaches perfect al dente consistency.
7. Reunion of Flavors: Reunite shredded chicken with the soup, creating a harmonious marriage of textures and tastes.
8. Finishing Touch: Elevate the soup with fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
9. Presentation: Ladle the soup into warm bowls, optional garnish of parsley or Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of indulgence.

Notes

• Optimize Vegetable Sautéing: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and caramelization, enhancing the soup’s base flavor profile.
• Master Chicken Cooking Technique: Avoid overcooking chicken breasts by precisely timing the pressure cooking to maintain tender, juicy meat that shreds easily.
• Control Orzo Texture Perfectly: Stir orzo frequently during cooking to prevent sticking and achieve ideal al dente consistency without becoming mushy.
• Customize Flavor Flexibility: Adjust spice levels by modifying red pepper flakes and experiment with herb combinations like rosemary or sage for personalized taste variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3 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