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Soup

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

A bright and comforting bowl of lemon chicken orzo soup that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· August 15, 2026
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Total
30 minutes
Serves
4

There is nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to end the day. This lemon chicken orzo soup is one of my personal favorites because it manages to be both hearty and light at the same time, thanks to that lovely touch of fresh lemon juice.

I love this recipe because it comes together so quickly and uses simple pantry staples. If you have any leftover cooked chicken in the fridge, feel free to use it to save even more time in the kitchen.

🧺 Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook until they soften, which should take about 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Pour in the chicken broth and bring the liquid to a gentle boil.

  4. 4

    Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.

  5. 5

    Add the shredded chicken to the pot and cook just until heated through.

  6. 6

    Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.

  7. 7

    Season with salt and pepper to your liking and serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Keep in mind that the orzo will absorb some of the broth as it sits, so you might want to add a splash of extra water or broth when reheating.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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