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Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

A delightful blend of savory chicken, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon, this Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly days.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Soup Base
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing
  • 1 medium onion, diced Adds flavor
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced For aroma and flavor
  • 1 large carrot, chopped For sweetness and nutrition
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped For crunch
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts Main protein source
  • 6 cups chicken broth Base for the soup
  • 1 cup orzo pasta Adds texture
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano Herb for flavor
  • to taste Salt and pepper For seasoning
  • Juice of 1 lemon Adds acidity and brightness
  • optional lemon slices for garnish For serving
  • to taste Fresh parsley, chopped For flavor and garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
  2. Add the diced onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Add the chicken breasts into the pot and brown them for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
  2. They can be undercooked at this stage as they will finish cooking in the broth.
Adding Broth and Seasonings
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle in the dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Bring it to a boil then reduce to a simmer, covering the pot for around 10-15 minutes.
Cooking the Orzo
  1. After the chicken is cooked through, remove it and shred it with two forks.
  2. Add the orzo to the pot and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes.
Final Assembly
  1. Return the shredded chicken to the pot, adding lemon juice and chopped parsley.
  2. Stir everything together.
Serving
  1. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with lemon slices and extra parsley if desired.
  2. Enjoy your delicious soup!

Notes

For a quicker version, consider using leftover rotisserie chicken. Adjust lemon juice to taste, and for a faster method, use an Instant Pot set to pressure cook for about 10 minutes.