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Fresh Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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A quick, easy, and wholesome lemon chicken orzo soup with fresh spinach that delivers a bright, comforting meal perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), cubed or shredded
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup (about 120 g) orzo pasta
  • 4 cups loosely packed fresh spinach (about 120 g), washed and roughly chopped
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion finely, mince the garlic, and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic and oregano, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the pot, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook until the outside is no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  6. Stir in the orzo pasta, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender but still slightly firm (al dente). Add a splash of broth or water if the soup thickens too much.
  7. Add the chopped fresh spinach and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted but still vibrant green.
  8. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Add lemon juice only at the end to avoid bitterness. Watch the orzo closely to prevent overcooking and mushiness. Use fresh spinach for best texture and color. Leftover shredded chicken can be added with the spinach to save time. Rinsing orzo before cooking can reduce starchiness but is optional.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, orzo soup, easy chicken soup, healthy soup, spinach soup, quick dinner, comforting meal

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/fresh-lemon-chicken-orzo-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-wholesome-meal/