Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sticks celery, chopped finely
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped finely
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or to taste)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large soup pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped celery, carrots, and onions. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Garlic and Flour: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Then, sprinkle in the flour and stir well to coat the vegetables. Continue cooking for another minute, allowing the flour to cook out slightly.
- Pour in the Broth: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to dissolve the flour completely. Add the Italian seasoning and stir well to combine.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the uncooked chicken breasts to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot with the lid slightly open and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the Orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. Keep the lid off and stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return the chicken to the pot.
- Finish with Lemon and Herbs: Add the lemon juice and chopped parsley to the soup, adjusting the amount of lemon juice to your taste. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the soup hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired. Enjoy your Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with a slice of crusty bread or a side salad.
Notes
Serving and Presentation Ideas
For a beautiful presentation, serve your Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup in rustic bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or a twist of lemon zest. Pair with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal. Consider serving with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a bit of added richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner