Nani's Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Name: Nani's Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 carrots, peeled and sliced; 2 celery stalks, sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups chicken broth; 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded; 1 cup orzo pasta; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; Salt and black pepper to taste

This comforting bowl of soup is bright, zesty, and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· August 3, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

There is something so special about a hot bowl of lemon chicken orzo soup when you need a little comfort. It has become a staple in my kitchen because it is light enough for a spring lunch but filling enough to serve as a proper family dinner. Everyone loves the zingy lemon flavor combined with the tender chicken and pasta.

My best tip is to stir in the lemon juice right at the very end. If you let it boil too long with the soup, the flavor can become a bit bitter, so wait until you turn off the heat to add that fresh brightness. It makes all the difference in the final taste.

🧺 Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup orzo pasta
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook them for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it smells fragrant.
4
Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle boil.
5
Add the orzo pasta to the pot and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
6
Stir in the shredded chicken and let it heat through for a minute or two.
7
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley.
8
Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed before serving.

💡 Tips

Serve this soup with a side of crusty bread to soak up the broth. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Note that the orzo will absorb liquid as it sits, so add a splash of extra broth when you reheat it.

#comfort food #soup #chicken #easy dinner #healthy

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