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

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. But the stovetop works just fine too!

Dinner is served!

How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

1. Saute aromatics. Saute diced onion in olive oil (in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop).
2. Add stock and seasoning. To the onions, add diced carrots, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta. 
3. Simmer. Cook in the Instant Pot for 2 minutes or simmer on the stovetop until the orzo is tender.
4. Add chicken and lemon juice. Stir in shredded cooked chicken and fresh lemon juice.
5. Top with chopped parsley and / or freshly grated parmesan cheese. 
6. 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

• 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.

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. 

FAQs

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