I’m telling you, this soup is basically a magic cure-all! It’s packed with nourishing ingredients and so much protein—basically the best way to feel GREAT! If you’re ever feeling under the weather or just want something comforting and healthy, this greek lemon soup with chicken and orzo is your new best friend.
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Ingredients:
Unsalted Butter: Fat = flavor, my friends. This helps sauté the veggies to golden perfection and gives that rich, comforting base you want in a good soup. It also helps bring all the spices together into one happy, flavorful family.
Minced Garlic: Garlic is like that reliable friend who shows up and makes everything better. It’s earthy, savory, and gives your soup that deep, robust aroma as it simmers. Plus, who doesn’t love a good garlic breath? 😆
Celery: Celery in soup = texture. It provides a satisfying crunch in each spoonful and balances out the softer ingredients. Also, it’s loaded with fiber, so it helps make this soup feel filling without being too heavy.
Carrots: Not just for color (though we all know that vibrant orange is a mood-lifter), but carrots bring a touch of sweetness to balance out the savory. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins and add that perfect, slightly-soft bite when cooked.
Yellow Onion: A soup is nothing without a good base, and onions are the foundation of flavor in this dish. They caramelize nicely with the garlic and butter, adding depth to every spoonful.
Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme: These are the trusty soldiers of flavor! They work in perfect harmony to create that comforting, cozy taste. A little salt and pepper are necessary for every soup (obviously!), and the herbs give it an Italian flair.
Chicken Bone Broth (or Regular Broth): Here’s where we get into the good stuff. Bone broth is made by simmering bones for hours, extracting all the minerals and collagen that make it super nutritious and gut-healing. It also has a deeper, richer flavor than regular broth, but feel free to swap it out with regular chicken broth if you’re not a fan of bone broth. It’ll still taste great!
Shredded Chicken: You need protein, right? I used rotisserie chicken here to save time, but any shredded chicken will work! It adds protein (because, high-protein diet—yay!) and that comforting meatiness we love in soup.
Orzo: This tiny pasta is the perfect match for soup because it soaks up all that delicious broth without being too heavy. It’s what makes this chicken soup with lemon and orzo so comforting and satisfying.
Lemon Juice: This little burst of citrus is the secret weapon to cut through the richness of the soup and brighten up the entire dish. It’s like a little surprise at the end! That’s why chicken orzo soup lemon is such a classic comfort food.
Freshly Grated Parmesan: It’s optional, but let’s be honest… is there ever a time when cheese isn’t the right choice? It’s creamy, salty, and the perfect finishing touch to this soup.
Equipment Needed for my Chicken Orzo Soup Greek:
- Large Pot: A big pot is essential for simmering the chicken and orzo soup and cooking the orzo. Make sure it’s large enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably.
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Cutting Board&Knife: For dicing your veggies into small, bite-sized pieces.
Substitutions & Modifications:
- Bone Broth: If you don’t have bone broth on hand, feel free to use regular chicken or vegetable broth. You won’t get the same collagen benefits, but the soup will still be flavorful and nourishing.
- Shredded Chicken: Use any cooked chicken you have available, like rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken breast, or even leftover turkey. If you prefer, you can also use tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version.
- Orzo: If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try rice, quinoa, or gluten-free pasta. You can also use small pasta shapes like ditalini or farfalle.
- Butter: Swap in olive oil or avocado oil for a dairy-free version, or use coconut oil for a slightly different flavor.
- Lemon Juice: If you’re not a fan of lemon, try a splash of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar for a tangy kick.
High Protein Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp minced garlic
- 4 stalks celery, finely diced for small, bite-sized chunks that blend perfectly with the orzo
- 1.5 cups finely diced carrots
- 2 small yellow onions, finely diced
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp parsley
- ¼ tsp thyme
- 6 cups chicken bone broth or regular broth, no judgment here!
- 2 cups shredded chicken I went for a full rotisserie chicken from the store—because who has time to roast a chicken when you could be snuggling up with soup?
- 1 cup orzo
- Juice of one lemon
- Optional: Freshly grated Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Sauté the Veggies: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic, onions, carrots, celery, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and thyme. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften and everything smells amazing.
- Add the Broth and Chicken: Pour in the chicken bone broth (or regular broth) and add the shredded chicken. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add the Orzo: Stir in the orzo and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let everything cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- Simmer and Infuse the Flavors: After 20 minutes, lower the heat to a simmer and let the chicken orzo soup cook for another 20 minutes. The longer you let it simmer, the more flavorful the chicken orzo soup will be. 🍲
- Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the chicken orzo soup greek. Give it a quick stir, and taste! Add more salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve It Up: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan. This high protein chicken soup serves 8, but if you’re feeling selfish (I won’t judge!), it’s totally fine to keep some for yourself.😉
Video
Chicken and Orzo Soup Tips & Tricks:
- Need More Protein? Add an extra cup of shredded chicken, or toss in a scoop of protein powder (I know, sounds weird, but trust me—it works!).
- Substitutions: Want a vegetarian version? Swap the chicken for some crispy chickpeas or tofu. You can also use gluten-free pasta instead of orzo if you need a gluten-free option.
- Make It Spicy:
- A pinch of red pepper flakes will take this chicken soup with lemon and orzo to a whole new level!🔥
Storage Instructions
- Storage: This lemon soup orzo can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.
- Freezing: You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let it cool fully before freezing.
- Reheat: To reheat, simply microwave it or heat it up on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
More of my recipes
Do you LOVE Soup?! Check Out More of my AMAZING Soup Recipes:- Delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Using Instant Pot Crockpot Or Stovetop
- Best Chili Recipe For Crockpot
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe
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