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Lemon Chicken, Spinach and Orzo Soup in a bowl with a spoon and lemon half in the background.
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4.25 from 8 votes

Lemon Chicken, Spinach and Orzo Soup

One pot Lemon Chicken, Spinach and Orzo Soup is fresh, filling and wonderful for an easy weeknight dinner that's perfect for a chilly night!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Chicken + Poultry, Soup, Stew + Chili
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken orzo soup, chicken soup, lemon chicken orzo soup
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 1/2 cups diced carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups diced celery
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo
  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • Zest and juice of a lemon

Instructions

  • Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add in the chicken and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until lightly browned, but don't cook all the way through, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the pot onto a plate. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pot along with the onion, carrots, celery, rosemary, thyme and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, 3-4 minutes and then add in the garlic. Sauté another 30 seconds.
  • Add the broth to the pot, stir and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add in the orzo and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes and then add in the spinach, chicken and dill. Cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the orzo is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

Nutritional info based on 6 servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 234mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g