Description
Italian Chicken and Orzo Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and delicate orzo pasta in a flavorful broth. Ideal for quick weeknight dinners or cozy lunches, this soup balances hearty protein and vibrant ingredients with the brightness of lemon juice, making it a family-friendly dish perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Liquids and Broth
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (natural)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (natural)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (natural)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the onions, carrots, and celery finely to create a flavorful base. Mince the garlic and chop the spinach, while cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, sautéing until tender and fragrant. Then add the chicken pieces, cooking them until they are lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the vegetable broth along with diced tomatoes, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil to let all the flavors meld together.
- Cook the Orzo: Once the soup is boiling, add the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the orzo is al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with Greens and Lemon: Stir in fresh spinach and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted. Finally, add a splash of lemon juice for brightness and adjust salt and pepper to taste right before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetables and herbs to maximize flavor and nutrition.
- To prevent over-softening, cook orzo separately if preferred and add near the end.
- Adjust salt towards the end since broth and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce add saltiness.
- Do not overcook chicken during sautéing; allow it to finish cooking in the broth.
- Add lemon juice last to brighten flavors without overpowering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Italian chicken soup, orzo soup, healthy chicken soup, quick dinner, comfort food, one pot soup
