Name: Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: . Butter and Oil; 1 1/2 Tablespoons butter ((20 grams)); 1 ½ Tablespoons olive oil; . Vegetables; ¾ cup onion ((diced, about 1 small onion)); 1 cup carrots ((diced, about 2 medium carrots)); 1 cup celery ((diced, about 2 ribs)); 3 cloves garlic ((minced)); . Broth and Chicken; 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth ((2 liters)); 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts ((680 grams)); 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste; . Seasonings; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¼ teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary; . Pasta and Finishings; 1 cup dry orzo pasta ((200 grams)); 1 lemon juice and zest; ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley ((Italian, 15 grams)); 1/3 cup heavy cream ((slightly warmed, 80ml)); salt and pepper ((to taste))

Welcome to a bowl of comfort with this Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup! Perfect for cozy dinners, this soup combines tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and creamy goodness that will warm your soul.

Cooking Tips

This part’s so satisfying: sauté those veggies until they’re just right! It adds a depth of flavor that makes this soup irresistible.

Favorite Parts

The combination of lemon and cream brings a delightful brightness to each spoonful. Trust me, you’ll love it!

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables:
Step 1

- Sauté Veggies: Sauté Veggies: Heat oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, add onions, carrots, and celery then sauté for several minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Combine Ingredients:
Step 2

- Add Chicken and Broth: Add chicken, Italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes (or until chicken reaches 160 degrees F).
Chop Chicken:
Step 3

- Chop Chicken: Chop chicken: Remove chicken to a plate, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest before chopping in pieces.
Cook Orzo:
Step 4

- Stir in Orzo: Stir in orzo and cook for 8 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
Finish the Soup:
Step 5

- Finish Soup: Finish soup: Reduce heat to low and stir in lemon juice, zest, cream, parsley, and season generously with salt and pepper. Return the chicken to the pot. Taste the soup and add additional seasonings or bouillon if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 350, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 25g, Protein: 30g

Cooking techniques

Cooking techniques used in this recipe include sautéing vegetables to enhance their flavors, simmering to ensure the chicken is cooked through, and stirring in ingredients to blend flavors harmoniously.

Variations or substitutions

You can substitute the orzo with rice or any small pasta of your choice. For a lighter version, consider using low-fat cream or omitting it altogether!

Storage tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

Notes

Feel free to add in your favorite vegetables or greens to make this soup your own! It’s versatile and can be customized to suit your taste.