Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup (Print Version)
Tender chicken and orzo in a lemony broth with cream, Parmesan and fresh spinach for a bright, comforting meal.
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
02 -
1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
03 -
Lemon pepper seasoning
→ Seasonings
04 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 -
1 teaspoon dried basil
06 -
1 teaspoon dried parsley
07 -
1 teaspoon mustard powder
08 -
½ teaspoon dried dill weed
→ Soup
09 -
½ cup dry white wine
10 -
2 tablespoons butter
11 -
1 small yellow onion, diced
12 -
¾ cup carrots, diced
13 -
2 sticks celery, diced
14 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
15 -
6 cups chicken broth
16 -
1 teaspoon hot sauce
17 -
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
18 -
½ cup heavy cream
19 -
2 cups fresh spinach
20 -
½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
21 -
Juice of 1 lemon (3-4 tablespoons)
22 -
¾ cup orzo, uncooked
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with lemon pepper seasoning and sear on each side for 3-4 minutes until golden. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes, then dice or shred into bite-sized pieces.
02 -
Add white wine to the skillet over medium heat. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot. Bring to a gentle bubble and reduce by half (approximately 4 minutes). Add butter, onions, carrots, and celery. Soften for 5 minutes, then add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
03 -
Add the dried seasonings, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and stir to coat. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Add the chicken back and cook gently until thoroughly cooked, ensuring it remains tender.
04 -
Boil orzo in a separate pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain once cooked and set aside.
05 -
Reduce soup heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and gradually sprinkle in Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously. Add spinach and heat for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
06 -
Add cooked orzo to serving bowls and ladle soup over the top. Serve immediately.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Cook orzo separately to prevent it from absorbing excess broth, especially when storing leftovers.
02 -
Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides better flavor than bottled versions.
03 -
Adding a Parmesan rind to the soup while simmering enhances its flavor profile.