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    Home > Recipes > Family-Friendly

    Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

    Published: Sep 13, 2021 · Modified: Dec 6, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 4 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    lemon chicken orzo soup
    lemon chicken orzo soup

    With tender chicken and orzo in every bite, Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup comes together fast. Lemon makes it a fresh twist on classic chicken noodle soup.

    a bowl of chicken and orzo soup on a grey countertop

    I’m so excited to share this incredibly simple soup with you. There are few things as comforting as chicken noodle soup, but this recipe is a fresh take on the classic. The game-changers here are the rice-sized orzo pasta which fit perfectly on a spoon and the lemon juice. Oh that lemon juice! If the temps are getting colder, or if you’re feeling under the weather, or you just want a different flavor in your cozy soup bowl, this soup is for you. Making it in the Instant Pot helps the pasta and aromatics to come to tender perfection in just one bowl and helps to develop flavor in the broth. 

    Dinner is served!

    How to Make It

    1. Saute aromatics. In the bowl of the Instant Pot, saute diced onion in olive oil. 
    2. Add stock and seasoning. To the onions, add diced carrots, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta. 
    3. Pressure cook. Cook on manual / high pressure for 2 minutes. That’s all it takes!
    4. Manually release the pressure. 
    5. Add chicken and lemon juice. Stir in shredded cooked chicken and fresh lemon juice.
    6. Top with chopped parsley and / or freshly grated parmesan cheese. 
    7. Enjoy!

    What is Orzo Pasta?

    Orzo pasta is a bite-sized pasta in the shape of rice. It cooks in 8 to 10 minutes and can be drained to serve on its own, served in soups, or cooked in small amount of liquid until tender for a dish that looks similar to Italian risotto. This is the method I use for Creamy One-Pot Orzo and One Pan Chicken and Orzo with Spinach.

    ingredients for soup on a grey countertop

    Ingredients

    • Chicken - Use shredded, cooked chicken breast or thighs here. I like to use rotisserie chicken, but leftover cooked chicken works well.
    • Orzo - Orzo is a raw pasta shaped like grains of rice. They are so small that it’s easiest to measure it in a measuring cup.
    • Chicken Broth - I like to use regular, not low-sodium, broth to give the simple soup maximum flavor. Use your favorite brand or homemade chicken stock.
    • Onions and Carrots - Classic flavorings for the broth of the soup.
    • Garlic and Italian Seasoning - These build flavor as the soup cooks. 
    • Lemon Juice - This is the key! Don’t skimp on the lemon juice and add more if you’d like even more lemony flavor. 

    Make-Ahead or Freeze

    This soup can be made ahead and freezes well. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. To freeze, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer to freezer safe containers. Freeze for up to 4 months.

    Check the recipe below for a printable label you can attach to the frozen soup.

    soup in the bowl of an instant pot

    Variations

    • Add vegetables - Extra vegetables will add flavor to the soup. Try yellow bell peppers or add some diced potatoes and fresh corn to give it a similar flavor to corn chowder. 
    • Make it vegetarian - This recipe is delicious with lentils, chickpeas, or white beans instead of the chicken. 
    • Make it creamy - Try stirring in some heavy cream with the lemon juice to give the soup an extra creamy base. 

    a ladle of chicken orzo soup over an instant pot

    Can I use bottled lemon juice?

    You definitely can, though it won’t have quite the same bright lemon flavor as fresh. 

    Can I cook this on the stovetop?

    Yes! Wait to add the orzo until after the stock is simmering and then let the pot simmer over medium heat just until the orzo is tender. Finish the soup as written.

    More Soup Recipes

    • Easy Wonton Soup
    • Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale {Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, Stovetop}
    • Butternut Squash Soup with Turmeric and Ginger
    • Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup
    • Taco Soup with Ground Beef

    Favorite Tools

    • Global Chef’s Knife
    • 6 quart Instant Pot
    a white bowl of orzo soup on a grey countertop
    a white bowl of soup on a grey countertop
    Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Instant Pot Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup Recipe

    With tender chicken and orzo in every bite, this simple Instant Pot soup comes together fast. Lemon juice makes it a fresh twist on classic chicken noodle soup.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: Soups/Stews
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: chicken soup, easy recipe, instant pot, instant pot soup
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 258kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $10.00

    Equipment

    • 6-quart Instant Pot / pressure cooker

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
    • 1 cup Diced Onion
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 2 cups Diced Carrots (to save time, substitute pre-shredded carrots)
    • 3 cloves Garlic, grated or minced
    • 6 cups Chicken Broth
    • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • 1 cup uncooked Orzo Pasta
    • 2 cups Shredded Cooked Chicken (like from a rotisserie chicken)
    • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
    • Chopped parsley, plain yogurt, and / or freshly grated parmesan cheese, for topping

    Instructions

    • Turn on the Instant Pot’s saute function to normal / medium. Add olive oil and then onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off the saute function.
    • To the onion add carrots, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo.
    • Close and lock the lid. Set the steam valve to Sealing. Cook on manual / high pressure for 2 minutes. (Note: Because there is a large amount of liquid in the Instant Pot, it may take up to 25 minutes for the machine to come to pressure.)
    • Manually release the pressure. (Tip: Cover the valve with a dish towel first to prevent hot liquids from spraying out as the pressure releases.)
    • Open the lid and stir in the chicken and lemon juice. Taste the soup and season with some salt and black pepper, if needed.
    • Serve with parsley, yogurt, and / or parmesan cheese on top.

    Notes

    Printable Recipe Card - If you are making this meal ahead for yourself or someone else, cook as directed. Allow to cool completely. Cover tightly. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 4 months. Print and attach the label below so cooking instructions are ready when you are!
    lemon chicken orzo soup freezer label

    Nutrition

    Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1327mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 7158IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy

      October 11, 2022 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tonight for dinner and it was a hit! I made the stove top variation and it was a filling meal with enough for lunches tomorrow. I also made your garlic Hawaiian rolls to go with it and everything was perfect! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        October 11, 2022 at 9:55 pm

        That's great - thanks so much for the note Cindy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Angela

      October 13, 2022 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      super easy to make and tastes good. had a chicken i bought at costco just used up some of that and garden carrots. super cheap to make and got alot of servings out of it.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        October 13, 2022 at 5:53 pm

        So glad you liked it! Thank you for the note!

        Reply

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