• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Our Salty Kitchen
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Season
    • Fall Recipes
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Winter Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Keto
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • Course
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments and Sauces
    • Desserts
    • Cocktails
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
  • Method
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Stir Fry
  • About
    • Let’s Collaborate!
    • Recipe Photography for Food Bloggers
    • Photography Portfolio
    • License Images
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Salads
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Soups and Stews » Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

    Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

    April 20, 2021 By Danielle Esposti 4 Comments

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Go to Recipe
    Pinterest image for orzo soup with lemon and chicken.
    Pinterest image for a lemon orzo chicken soup recipe.
    Pinterest collage for a lemon orzo chicken soup recipe.
    Pinterest collage for orzo soup with lemon and chicken.

    Get ready for comfort food with a “twist.” Bright, fragrant, and perfect for springtime, Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is chock full of surprises – from the zesty hit of citrus on your tongue to spring peas and greens to pasta-licious spoonfuls of tender baby orzo. But don’t worry – it’s still loaded with all the chicken and veggies you crave from the classic.

    A bowl of lemon chicken orzo soup garnished with a lemon wheel and fresh parsley on a concrete background surrounded by a bowl of chopped parsley, lemon slices, and crusty bread.
    Jump to:
    • How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
    • Adjust the Lemon
    • Chef’s Tips
    • Storing and Freezing
    • More Recipes for Spring Chickens
    • Recipe

    To everything, there is a season. I’m not here to pooh-pooh the efficacy or comfort of chicken soup, but just as we trade our boots for flip flops and pull off the patio furniture covers, so too must we leave behind the cozy, nap-inducing foods of winter. Or at least adjust them.

    Now is the time to literally – and figuratively – put some spring in our steps. If you’re anything like me, then your springs are usually spent preparing for your summers -fixing, planning, cleaning, seeding. (And I haven’t even gotten to my much-needed pedicure yet.) We’re so busy getting ready that we’re not stopping to appreciate the season we’ve got now.

    Coming out of “hibernation” can be hard. The weather and temperatures are unpredictable so you never know what to prepare for. It takes forever to adjust to having more daylight hours. You feel like you’ve got all the time in the world to get things done, only to realize it’s 7 p.m. and nothing’s gotten done. You spend every spare minute browsing home & garden sites or at home & garden stores. No wonder we’re hot messes until Memorial Day!

    I find it makes the changeover easier if I (1) make a list of everything I need – and need to do – and break it down into individual tasks, and (2) start with simple, manageable adjustments.

    So (to circle back to my original point), my first spring step is always a transition in the kitchen. Changing up your menu takes the least amount of effort, you get an immediate reward in the form of delicious food, and you guarantee you get to appreciate at least a little of what spring has to offer.

    Need ideas? Check out our seasonal spring recipes.

    How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

    Give chicken soup the perfect spring makeover with bright citrus and fragrant herbs. Loaded with chicken, veggies, and pasta, this quick and easy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is brimming with flavor and definitely “eats like a meal.” Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for fast prep.

    • Orzo chicken soup in a red dutch oven with a metal ladle.
    • Side view, a bowl of lemon chicken orzo soup garnished with fresh parsley and a lemon wheel.
    1. Saute the mirepoix. Cook onions, carrots, and celery in butter and olive oil until soft.
    2. Add the aromatics. Add fresh garlic and dried thyme and oregano. Saute with the vegetables until very fragrant.
    3. Add the pasta and chicken. Add the orzo and broth, along with the roasted chicken. Bring to a simmer and cook until orzo is just about cooked through.
    4. Add the lemon juice, frozen peas, baby spinach, and chopped parsley. Simmer until the peas are warmed through and the spinach is barely wilted (just a few minutes).
    5. Season and serve. Taste the broth and adjust with salt, pepper and/or lemon juice until the flavor sings. Ladle into bowls and serve.

    Adjust the Lemon

    As written, the lemon is intentionally “middle of the road” – not to subtle, but not too puckery. Adjust to your liking as follows:

    • Want more lemon? Stir in finely grated lemon zest; start with 1 tsp and adjust to preference.
    • Want less lemon? Skip it and simply enjoy Chicken Orzo soup. There’s plenty of flavor in the broth if you’re not all that into lemon.
    Several bowls of lemon chicken orzo soup garnished with a lemon wheel and fresh parsley on a concrete background surrounded by a bowl of chopped parsley, lemon slices, and crusty bread.

    Chef’s Tips

    • A rotisserie chicken, or leftover roasted chicken, makes for a very quick and simple weeknight meal.
    • No leftovers? No problem. Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is quick and easy.
    • Fresh lemon juice makes a world of difference! Grate the peel using a microplane for extra lemon flavor.

    Storing and Freezing

    • FRIDGE: store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You may want to add an extra ½ c broth per serving, as the orzo will absorb more liquid and puff up.
    • FREEZER: pasta never holds up perfectly after freezing in liquid (hello, mush), but as long as you know what you’re getting into, you can absolutely freeze this soup. Seal cooled soup in an airtight container or ziploc bag to keep for 4-6 months. If you know you’re going to freeze in advance, simply skip the orzo when cooking, freeze, and add it when you reheat the soup.

    More Recipes for Spring Chickens

    • Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet
    • Avocado Salsa over Grilled Chicken
    • Crab Omelet with Avocado
    • Easy Asparagus Fritatta
    • Grilled Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Marinade
    • Avocado Strawberry Chicken Salad
    Side view, three bowls of lemon orzo soup with chicken on a concrete background with a small bowl of chopped parsley and lemon wheels.

    Did you make this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    A bowl of lemon chicken orzo soup garnished with a lemon wheel and fresh parsley on a concrete background surrounded by a bowl of chopped parsley, lemon slices, and crusty bread.

    Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Give chicken soup the perfect spring makeover with bright citrus and fragrant herbs. Loaded with chicken, veggies, and pasta, this quick and easy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is brimming with flavor and definitely "eats like a meal." Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for fast prep.
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 25 mins
    Total Time: 35 mins
    Servings : 4
    Calories: 457

    Ingredients

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tbsp butter
    • 1 medium sweet onion, diced to ½”
    • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced to ½”
    • 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tsp dried thyme
    • ½ tsp dried oregano
    • 6 c chicken broth
    • 1 c dry orzo
    • 2 c shredded rotisserie chicken
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 2 tbsp lemon juice, more or less to taste
    • 1 c frozen peas
    • 2 c baby spinach
    • 2 tbsp chopped parsley, more or less to taste
    • kosher salt, to taste
    • ground pepper, to taste
    • 1 lemon thinly sliced, optional, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Heat a dutch oven or large soup pot over medium high heat; add the oil and butter and heat until the butter melts then foams. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, toss to coat in the fat, and saute, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, 7-8 minutes.
      Carrots, celery, and onion sautéed until soft in a red dutch oven.
    • Add the garlic, thyme and oregano and cook, stirring frequently, until very fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
      Sautéed onions, celery, and carrots with garlic and dried herbs in a red dutch oven.
    • Pour in the chicken stock, add the bay leaf, and bring the liquid to a simmer. Add the orzo and rotisserie chicken and give everything a good stir. Cook 7 minutes or until the orzo is al dente (or time according to package directions).
      A ladle of chicken orzo soup showing the orzo cooked through in broth.
    • Stir in the lemon juice, peas, and baby spinach. Simmer 2-3 minutes, or until the peas are tender and the spinach is barely wilted. Stir in the fresh parsley.
      Side view of lemon chicken orzo soup with peas and spinach in a red dutch oven.
    • Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt, pepper and/or lemon juice. Ladle into bowls, garnish with a lemon wheel if desired, and serve immediately.
      Side view, a bowl of lemon chicken orzo soup garnished with fresh parsley and a lemon wheel.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 2cup, Calories: 457kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 58g (19%), Protein: 25g (50%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 2g (10%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 83mg (28%), Sodium: 1311mg (55%), Potassium: 437mg (12%), Fiber: 10g (40%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 380% (380%), Vitamin C: 56% (56%), Calcium: 38% (38%), Iron: 28% (28%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!

    « Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth
    Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup »

    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    4 Comments
    Filed Under: Kid Friendly, Main Dishes, Soups and Stews, Spring Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      April 23, 2021 at 10:53 am

      […] got slapped with a cold snap. It feels like only yesterday (because it literally was) that I was talking about the spring-to-summer transition. I take full responsibility for the karma that came with not […]

      Reply
    2. 20 Thick and Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup [Easy Recipes] - Tier Coffee says:
      December 29, 2021 at 8:16 am

      […] Get Recipe Here […]

      Reply
    3. How to Cook Orzo Pasta - Our Salty Kitchen says:
      September 22, 2022 at 8:57 am

      […] orzo properly will open up a whole new world of “pasta-bilities” for everything from soups to salads to skillet meals. When you want just a touch of starch to satisfy, Orzo will enhance your […]

      Reply
    4. Parmesan Orzo Pasta with Veggies - Our Salty Kitchen says:
      September 22, 2022 at 8:58 am

      […] of orzo recipes that evoke the same comforting nostalgia. On sick days I comfort a runny nose with Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, and when the summer potlucks come around, I often double a batch of my favorite orzo […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Our Salty Kitchen! We create real food for real people. Our whole foods recipes are seasonal, locally sourced, and simply prepared. Learn More! 

    Footer

    ABOUT US      CONTACT US      PRIVACY POLICY 

    A collage of publication logos that have featured recipes and photography from Our Salty Kitchen.

    Footer

    Privacy

    Privacy Policy

    Let's ConnecT

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About Us

    Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Our Salty Kitchen

    308 shares