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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup - Chockfull of hearty veggies and tender chicken in a refreshing lemony broth. It is PURE COMFORT in a bowl!

Chockfull of hearty veggies and tender chicken in a refreshing lemony broth. It is PURE COMFORT in a bowl!

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup - Chockfull of hearty veggies and tender chicken in a refreshing lemony broth. It is PURE COMFORT in a bowl!

We’ve been having such gorgeous 70-degree weather out here in the Bay Area. I can finally run in my shorts and take long walks in my flip flops. But even in this perfect weather, I could still always use a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It doesn’t even matter if I’m sick with the flu or if I have the cleanest bill of health – this soup can be eaten any day of the week, any time of day!

But don’t be fooled – this isn’t your ordinary chicken noodle soup. The traditional noodles are swapped out and orzo is used instead, which is a pasta shaped like a large grain of rice. And my favorite part about this soup is the freshly squeezed lemon juice. It’s pure comfort in a bowl with a hint of refreshing, lemony goodness. Plus, this comes together in just 30 minutes, filling the house with the most amazing aroma.

So there you have it – quick, easy, hearty and sure to be a hit with the entire family. You can’t beat that!

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup - Chockfull of hearty veggies and tender chicken in a refreshing lemony broth. It is PURE COMFORT in a bowl!

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Chockfull of hearty veggies and tender chicken in a refreshing lemony broth. It is PURE COMFORT in a bowl!
4.9 stars (150 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery ribs, diced
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¾ cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste. Add chicken to the stockpot and cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.
  • Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the stockpot. Add garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Whisk in chicken stock, bay leaves and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Stir in orzo, rosemary and chicken; reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve immediately.

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