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Easy Chicken Orzo Soup with Fresh Lemon

This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup combines tender chicken, fresh lemon, creamy broth, and perfectly cooked orzo for a comforting yet bright and refreshing meal. Ready in under 45 minutes, this restaurant-quality soup delivers nourishing flavor, satisfying texture, and the perfect balance of richness and citrus—making it ideal for easy weeknight dinners or elegant lunches.
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Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream room temperature
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: thyme dill, bay leaves, Italian seasoning

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–6 minutes until softened.
  2. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add orzo and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring regularly.
  4. Reduce heat, add shredded chicken and heavy cream, and simmer 5 minutes.
  5. Turn off heat and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley.
  6. Season with salt and pepper and let rest 2–3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Add lemon juice only after removing soup from heat to avoid curdling. Warm cream slightly before adding. Stir orzo frequently to prevent sticking. Adjust lemon intensity to taste.