Recipe: Lemon Herb Chicken Soup with Orzo

2026-03-02

**Serves:** 6 | **Total time:** ~45 minutes

**Ingredients** - 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced - 1 tbsp olive oil - 1 onion, diced - 2 carrots, diced - 2 celery stalks, diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp thyme - 3/4 cup dry orzo - 6 cups chicken broth - Juice and zest of 1 lemon - 2 cups baby spinach - Salt, pepper, parsley

**Method** 1) In a pot, heat oil. Brown chicken with salt/pepper 4–5 minutes; remove. 2) Sauté onion, carrot, celery 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, thyme; cook 1 minute. 3) Add broth and orzo; bring to simmer. Cook 8–10 minutes until orzo is almost tender. 4) Return chicken; simmer 5 minutes until cooked through. Stir in spinach, lemon zest/juice. Adjust seasoning; finish with parsley.

**Why it works:** Lemon brightens the broth; thighs stay tender; orzo thickens soup without cream.

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