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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Spinach

This cozy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Spinach is quick to make and filled with zesty flavors, making it the perfect comforting meal for busy days.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soup Base
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts Can substitute with rotisserie chicken or tofu
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup orzo pasta Add separately for freezing
  • 3 cups baby spinach
Seasoning
  • 1 each juice and zest of 1 lemon Add zest for extra flavor
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish Optional

Method
 

Sauté the Aromatics
  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, and oregano for an additional minute until fragrant.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Add the chicken breasts to the pot and season generously with salt and pepper. Brown them on both sides for about 5 minutes each.
Simmer Away
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Orzo Time
  1. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Stir in the orzo and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.
Shred the Chicken
  1. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it back into the pot along with the spinach, lemon juice, and zest. Mix well and simmer until spinach is wilted.
Season to Taste
  1. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding extra salt or pepper to suit your preference.
Serve with Flair
  1. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

This soup refrigerates well; store broth and orzo separately for meal prep. Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or celery. Adjust lemon zest based on your tartness preference.