Citrus Chicken Orzo Soup

The Prompt

Please give me a soup recipe that features boneless chicken breasts and lemons.

Citrus Chicken Orzo Soup: A Culinary Symphony

The Citrus Duo: Lemon and Orange

Imagine the zesty tang of lemon and the sweet undertone of orange coming together in a dance of flavors. This soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a citrus celebration in a bowl. Adding orange to the traditional lemon chicken soup recipe creates a nuanced flavor profile, balancing the tartness of lemon with a gentle sweetness.

Tender Chicken and Hearty Orzo: A Perfect Pair

The juiciness of the chicken and the delightful bite of orzo pasta form the backbone of this dish. The chicken, cooked to tender perfection, provides a comforting and familiar base. At the same time, the orzo, with its unique texture, adds an element of heartiness to the soup.

Vegetables and Herbs: The Flavor Enhancers

In this recipe, carrots, celery, and onion do more than provide nutritional value. They’re the unsung heroes that bring depth and richness, complementing the bright citrus notes. Thyme’s earthy flavor and parsley’s fresh, clean taste are the perfect herbs to tie all these elements together, creating a harmonious blend.

Each ingredient in this soup has a role, coming together to tell a story of flavor, texture, and aroma. From the first spoonful, the vibrant citrus notes awaken your senses, followed by the chicken and vegetables, all rounded off with the aromatic presence of herbs.

Whether it’s a cozy winter evening or a breezy summer day, this soup adapts to every season. It’s versatile, simple, well-chosen ingredients are crafted into a dish that can comfort, refresh, and satisfy any time of year.

A Recipe to Cherish and Share

As you embark on making this Citrus Chicken Orzo Soup, you’re not just preparing a meal; you’re creating an experience to be shared and cherished. It’s a recipe that invites creativity, welcomes adaptation and becomes more than just food—it’s a memory in the making. Enjoy the process, savor each flavor, and let this soup become a beloved addition to your culinary adventures.

Chicken & Orzo & Lemon, Oh My!

I obsess over food, recipes, cooking, and eating the results. My feed is clogged with food blogs, recipe sites, and cooking videos. I don’t know why, but recently the algorithm decided that Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup was the recipe I needed to see.

I clicked. And I read. And I watched.

And then I thought: could Gippity do it?

I asked for a soup with chicken and lemons, and it spit out a recipe that included chicken, lemons, orzo, and oranges. That’s an interesting twist and exactly the kind of emergent behavior I was hoping for when I started this project.

To the Kitchen!

I have yet to venture into soups as much as I have into stews, chilis, and curries. I’m not exactly out of my comfort zone, but I’m not in it either.

I needed to chop the veggies and the zest fine enough to lend flavor and texture without being too chunky, and I hope I succeeded.

Listen, I’m not a professional chef. But I put my heart and soul into making good food, and that’s what matters.

Citrus Chicken Orzo Soup

Citrus Chicken Orzo Soup combines the zestiness of lemon and orange with tender chicken, hearty orzo, and a mix of vegetables, all infused with a hint of thyme. It's a comforting, flavor-rich soup that's versatile for any season, easy to customize, and perfect for a satisfying meal.

by Gippity Kitchen

Prep 20 min Cook 30 min Total 50 min 6 Servings Cuisine Mediterranean Course Main Course

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 3 lemons, juiced (about 1/2 cup of lemon juice)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 orange, juiced and zested
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook until golden and cooked, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and set aside to cool. Once cooled, shred or dice the chicken.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining olive oil, diced onions, carrots, and celery in the same pot. Sauté until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Simmer the Soup: Add the chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the orzo pasta and let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender.
4. Add Chicken and Citrus: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and orange juice, zest. Simmer everything together for an additional 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
5. Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Chef’s Notes

• The citrus juice adds a fresh and tangy flavor to the soup. Adjust the amount based on how tangy you like it.
• If you prefer, you can use pre-cooked chicken to save time. Just add it in at the same stage to warm through.
• Orzo can be substituted with other small pasta shapes or even rice.

Enjoy this heartwarming and zesty soup! It’s like a little bowl of sunshine on a cloudy day. 🍋🥣