Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup jam-packed with fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and enveloped with a lemon broth. It’s a delicious, one pot meal that is easy to whip up and full of flavor!
I can eat soup whether it’s negative ten degrees or 100 degrees outside, and I’m not kidding! Since I’m usually cold no matter what the temperature is, soup definitely does the trick to warm me up.
So needless to say, I go through A LOT of soup in my house. Sometimes I opt for the canned version, and other times, I like to whip up some french onion, creamy tomato, or cream of mushroom soup. But whatever the flavor of the day is, you can best be sure that I savor every last bite.
Which brings me to this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. It’s not a new or unique flavor, but it sure is good. And since I love broth based soups, it was time for me to whip up this easy dish to devour for when my cravings strike.
This lemon chicken orzo soup jam-packed with fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and enveloped with a lemon broth. It’s a delicious, one pot meal that is easy to whip up and full of flavor!
If you’ve been hanging around here long enough, you know that I’m all about the easy meals. Every once in a while, I sneak in a more time consuming dish, but for the most part, I like to make and share dishes that are perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients for Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
You need just 10 basic ingredients to make this flavorful lemon, chicken, and orzo soup:
- Olive oil
- White onion
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Cooked shredded chicken
- Dried herbs
- Orzo
- Lemon juice
- Spinach
How to Make Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is made for busy weeknights or just for when you want a hot bowl of deliciousness that’s ready in no time.
And did I mention that this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is made in just one pot?
- To start, you saute some onions in a large pot, followed by diced carrots and minced garlic.
- Then, you’ll add in some chicken broth, dried thyme, a bay leaf, and some shredded chicken.
- After the soup has simmered for about a half hour, add in the orzo and let it cook for 10 more minutes.
- Then, remove the soup from the heat, stir in some fresh lemon juice and baby spinach, and your meal is ready to be devoured.
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a deliciously easy and satisfying meal that is perfect to warm you up for the cold, winter nights. It also makes the best one pot meal for soup lovers!
How Long Will the Soup Last?
Store the lemon chicken orzo soup in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.
Can Lemon Orzo Soup Be Frozen?
Yes, but I recommend freezing the soup without the orzo. The orzo will soak up excess liquid once frozen and be grainy after being reheated.
If you plan on freezing the soup for later, prepare it without the orzo. Then, add the orzo to the soup when you reheat it on the stovetop.
Tips for the Best Lemon Orzo Soup
- I used shredded chicken left over from a rotisserie chicken, which makes this soup even more flavorful.
- Adding some crumbled feta cheese to the soup would add even more flavor and make the soup creamy.
- To make a creamy lemon chicken orzo soup, replace 1 cup of broth with 1 cup of milk or creamy.
Looking for more easy soup recipes? I’ve got you covered!
I’ve got lots of quick and easy soup recipes on my site! Here are some of my favorites:
- Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup
- Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker Hearty No-Bean Chili
- Mushroom Barley Soup

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ white onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded chicken, I used the shredded rotisserie chicken that you can find near the deli section of your grocery store
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- ¾ cup dry orzo
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, juice from about 1 lemon
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- In a medium pot, heat oil. Add in onion and saute for about 2 minutes.
- Add in carrots and garlic, stirring to sauté. Add chicken broth, shredded chicken, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Bring mixture to a boil. Then, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Add dry orzo, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add lemon juice and spinach. Stir to combine. Serve immediately.
Soup is always a winner for me, too. Totally fills me up and keeps me cozy! I’m loving the fresh citrus burst in this recipe. Looks delicious!
Thanks, Blair!
I’m a total soup girl too, Gayle. It’s my main meal this time of year. My husband thinks it’s not filling enough, but he doesn’t get it. 🙂 This one looks great! I was a big noodle soup lover in my childhood too, and that hasn’t changed!
That’s exactly what my husband thinks, too! He never eats it either, unless we’re out to dinner. They just don’t know what they’re missing! 🙂
What a great twist on chicken noodle soup. I love the lemony flavours that you have added to this as well – healthy comfort food at it’s best!
I am all about soup at the moment, filling , warm and healthy 🙂
Thank you, Dannii! Isn’t soup the best this time of year?
I LOVE orzo in cozy soups! It’s always so much more fun than regular pasta. 😀 Seriously you’ve got me craving soup right now BAD and it’s not even 7am! I think an early lunch of this gorgeous soup is just gonna have to happen. 😉
I agree! I love the orzo too, it’s more fun to eat! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Sarah!
I love orzo! And one pot meals! And lemon and chicken! It’s like you were reading my mind! 🙂 This looks perfect, Gayle! Happy weekend, my friend!
One pot meals are the best! Thanks, Annie! Happy weekend to you, too!
I love orzo soup! and this looks so comforting and delicious! it’s going to get in the negative temps next week over here so I will need this!!!!
Thanks for the soup love, Alice!
I love orzo in soup so much! It’s a nice change from rice. This looks so tasty!
Thanks, Kelly! I agree, orzo is a nice change!
This looks SO comforting and tasty, Gayle! It’s been freezing here all week and soup is exactly what we are craving. Love lemon chicken anything and the orzo sounds perfect to fill keep us full 🙂
Thank you for the kind words, Kelly! I hope it warms up a little by you! 🙂
A classic soup that never goes out of style! Love the addition of thyme — one of my favorite herbs. 🙂
Thanks, Lauren!
You always have the best soup recipes, Gayle! This one looks wonderful and would be perfect on this rainy Friday.
Thanks for the soup love, Jen!
I was a chicken soup fiend when I was a kid, and eating it today still makes me feel nostalgic. This soup looks absolutely rockin’! I really like how you add the juice of a lemon to it. That sounds so good!
Thanks, Amanda! I agree, there’s just something about chicken soup that makes me feel like a kid again! 🙂
I can’t live without soup! Can’t wait to try this one! Looks amazing!
Thanks, Mira!
Love how you bulked up this delicious broth soup with some orzo 🙂
Thank you, Medha!
I love soup, my husband thinks I am starving myself by having only soup for dinner! But it’s so filling and delicious, I love the lemon flavor in here!
Thanks for the soup love, Manali!
This lemon chicken orzo soup looks absolutely delicious Gayle! This is perfect for chilly days – like today. I seriously wish I had a big bowl of this in front of me! I love lemony things so this is so perfect for me 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Rachel!
Today has been raining, and this looks so wonderful for today! I love how it has lemon AND orzos – two of my favorites!
Thank you, Aria!
There’s a Greek soup that I grew up on that has lemon and chicken and rice and I loved it! I like making with orzo these days — it’s one of my favorite pastas. This is such a nice way to liven up chicken soup — lemon brightens it up so nicely and orzo is so much better than big, old noodles in my opinion! I could really go for a big bowl. 🙂
Thank you for the kind words, Marcie! This was my first time adding lemon to soup, and I have to say that I’m hooked! 🙂
I would love a bowl of this soup right now on this cold frigid day!! I love that it is made in one pot!!
Thanks, Renee! I’m all about one pot meals! 🙂
I’m all about soups and chilis this time of year, Gayle. I actually just made turkey chili for dinner tonight. I’ve never had lemon chicken soup, but it sounds so delicious. 🙂
Oh turkey chili sounds fantastic, Erin! I would love a big bowl of that right now! 🙂
Soup is my absolute favorite dinner – can you believe I’ve never tried chicken soup with lemon? I have got to remedy that asap- this looks amazing and love how quick it is!
I think you would love this soup, Sherri! The lemon gives it such a great flavor! 🙂
I have GOT to try this. I’m 72 yo and have never added lemon to chicken soup. I have no excuse for that since I always bake a chicken with lemon quarters and sprigs of rosemary in the cavity . I just happen to have some “planned over” chicken and fresh broth in the fridge that is headed for this soup. Also, if you grate some fresh ginger (I use my zester) into the chicken broth, it makes it taste more chickeney. Like in the Chinese restaurants.
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Sandy! This was my first time adding lemon to soup, and I’m hooked! I hope you love it as much as I do. And thank you for the tip of adding fresh ginger! I’m definitely going to try that next time! 🙂