This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
For a meal that’s just as savory and filling as it is zesty and tangy, try this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup! Filled with delicious flavor agents and stocked with filling protein sources, this is a soup perfect for the entire family.
A perfect chicken orzo soup recipe
Are you looking for a soup that’s warm, cozy, full of protein, with a bit of a tangy flavor? Then this recipe is exactly what you need!
Lemon chicken orzo soup is a fantastic meal option for so many reasons. It’s loaded up with veggies (carrots, celery, onion), contains lots of flavor (lemon and garlic, anyone?), and it’s pretty easy to make!
Because it contains both orzo and chicken, this soup is filled with protein and carbs and gives you that cozy full feeling after just one serving. It’s a great weekday option, and the kiddos will love it too.
Ingredients in chicken and orzo soup
In addition to the chicken, lemon, and orzo ingredients as indicated by the recipe title, we will be using a few flavorings and ingredients to truly make this soup pop.
- Carrot: First up for orzo soup we have carrots! You will need 4 sticks, peeled and chopped.
- Celery: Similarly, chop 4 sticks of celery.
- Onion: Finally for the veggies, diced up 1/2 of a large yellow onion.
- Avocado oil: You will need about 2 tbsp of avocado oil to sauté the veggies before adding the other soup ingredients.
- Garlic: As always, garlic! Include 3 minced cloves, or more to taste if preferred.
- Seasonings: For flavor, add salt, pepper, and dried thyme in the amount of 1/2 tsp each.
- Chicken stock: To create the liquid consistency of soup, we’ll be using 8 cups of chicken stock. You can also use vegetable stock if preferred.
- Lemons: Lemons are the star of this dish, and the ingredient responsible for that delicious zesty, tangy flavor! We will use the juice of 3 lemons.
- Orzo: Finally, the oomph! Measure out 1.5 cups of uncooked orzo.
- Chicken breasts: Next up is the protein. We’ll be using 3 large chicken breasts. They will need to be cooked and diced into pieces before adding to the soup. You can use 4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken if you want to skip the chicken-cooking step.
- Spinach: Finally, add some greens by including 1/2 bag of spinach.
Tools needed for this recipe
This recipe only requires four kitchen tools: a cutting board, chopping knife, dutch oven or sauce pan (with a lid), and a stirring utensil!
As for measuring ingredients, you’ll need four sizes: 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
Easy enough, right?!
How to make lemon chicken orzo soup
For orzo soup I like to prep everything ahead of time, which means cutting the veggies and cooking the chicken. It just speeds up the entire process and makes dinner a breeze!
To begin, start by preparing the veggies as needed.
Next, heat the avocado oil in a large dutch oven or sauce pan.
Add the onions, carrots, and celery to the pan and let cook for 5 minutes (or until they begin to soften).
Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme, and cook for another 3 minutes.
Then, pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, add the orzo and cooked chicken. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Turn off the heat and add the spinach. The soup will thicken as it sits.
What to serve with lemon orzo soup
Serving up your lemon chicken orzo soup course and wondering what to pair it with? Here are some ideas!
Salad
The soup and salad combo is a classic for a reason… it just pairs so unbelievably well together! Enjoy your soup alongside any of these delicious salads: Avocado Corn, Fall Harvest, or Pear!
Side Veggies
If you’re not feeling a salad, pair your soup with something that feels a bit heartier while also getting your greens in! Try one of these side dish favorites: Garlic Sesame Green Beans, Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, or snag the asparagus from this recipe!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Chicken often makes its way into my dinner meals, both for the flavor and the nutrition, but also for the versatility. You can cook it so many different ways! Dive into some of my favorites below.
- Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Cranberry Chicken Casserole
- Easy Chicken Pad Thai Recipe
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 4 carrot sticks, peeled and chopped
- 4 celery sticks, chopped
- 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 3 lemons, juiced
- 1.5 cups uncooked orzo
- 3 large chicken breasts, cooked + diced into pieces (alternatively 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken) *see notes for raw chicken
- 1/2 bag of spinach
Instructions
- Prepare veggies as needed.
- In a large dutch oven or sauce pan, heat avocado oil.
- Add onions, carrots, and celery to pan. Let cook for 5 minutes or until beginning to soften.
- Add in garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook for another 3 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and the juice of three lemons. Cover with lid and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add in orzo and cooked chicken. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off heat and add in spinach. The soup will thicken as it sits. Serve!
Notes
Store in fridge for up to 5 days or freezer for longer.
Bake chicken in oven for 20 minutes at 400
Alternatively, add raw chicken breasts after step 5. Then take out and dice, then start step 6.
There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂
Kate says
This is delicious!! I have seen this on Erin’s instagram for what feels like YEARS and kept forgetting to make it. I’m so glad I finally did. I love anything with lemon and it makes the soup so bright and refreshing. I was a little heavy handed with the orzo (I looove pasta) so I don’t have a ton of broth but it is not a problem. It was so simple and delicious and I will absolutely be making again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kate, so happy you loved it so much!! 🙂
Kaitlin R says
Omg this was so good! It is very lemony and I love that it thickens up. Such an easy cozy weeknight meal.
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, so happy you loved it! 🙂
Whit G says
This soup is so amazing, I’m leaving another review. My family loves this and it’s part of our dinner meal rotation. It’s great for winter nights (is it STILL winter?!) and for when you’re feeling under the weather, but also for any other reason. Using real lemons is best but you can get by with store-bought lemon juice if you need to. I’ve done it both ways. I also use rotisserie chicken to make my life easier. 5/5 ⭐️
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Whit, so happy everyone loves it!!
Sue says
Love this recipe!!! I was so surprised with how creamy it was. I didn’t have chicken so I used a can of white beans and a few white mushrooms I had in my fridge.
It reminds me of my favorite lemon soup at a local Greek restaurant. Make this! You will not regret it!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sue, so happy you loved it and made it your own! 🙂
Danielle says
Hands down my favorite soup to make. I’ve made a few lemon chicken soups, but Erin’s is by far the easiest, most yummy and refreshing one. You won’t be sorry. Thank you Erin!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Danielle, so glad you love the soup so much!!
Leila says
This was so yummy and easy!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Leila, so happy you enjoyed it!!
Grace says
This was so good! Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Grace, so happy you loved it!
Elizabeth says
This soup is amazing!! Loved the lemon, made it different than any other soups I’ve tried, in the best way. Will definitely be in the winter rotation, I’m already looking forward to having it again.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Elizabeth, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
Jenny Bouchier-Hayes says
Friday night cozy vibes! Had shedded chicken and whipped this up in no time! I can’t even describe how yum it is! Feels like a bowl full of health and indulgence all in one! Will be a new staple!
Erin says
Hi Jenny, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Kerry says
This soup is a real winner! SO flavorful! The lemon just kicks it up a notch. I added raw chicken breasts as the alternative and it was perfect!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kerry, so happy you loved it!
Adina says
Made this for dinner tonight and it’s mama and baby approved!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Adina, so happy you enjoyed it!!
Kelly says
My favorite soup of all time. So fresh and delicious and easy to make! This is a staple in my house all winter long
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelly, so glad you love it!
Sam says
I don’t know what took me so long to make this! All of the the flavors together are so so good. Will be making again!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sam, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Joann says
This soup was like a hug in a bowl!! It was such a comforting soup but didn’t leave my fiancé and I feeling all heavy and bloated after. We loved the flavor combo between the garlic and the lemon and the orzo was the perfect touch. Thank you Erin for another hit!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Joann, so happy you both loved it so much! 🙂
Jeanne Dubs says
I made this tonight for dinner and it is so refreshing but comforting at the same time. It is so different then other soups I make which was a nice change. Thanks Erin!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jeanne, so happy everyone loved the soup! 🙂
Lizzie P says
Made this tonight and my husband and I loved it! We both said it was refreshing in a way because of the lemon!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lizzie, so glad you both loved it!