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Delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup in a white bowl with fresh herbs.

Ultimate Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

This deeply flavorful and comforting Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is the ultimate in homemade goodness. The key is a well-developed broth made by simmering chicken bones and aromatic vegetables, which forms the foundation for the dish. Bright lemon zest and juice, along with herbs and spices, lend complexity to the soup, while tender orzo and shredded chicken make it a satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Dish, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds chicken bones from 2 whole chickens
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • Zest and juice of 2 lemons
  • 8 ounces orzo pasta
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large stockpot
  • fine mesh sieve
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. In a large stockpot, combine the chicken bones, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and peppercorns. Cover with 8 cups of water and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours, skimming any foam or fat that rises to the surface.
  3. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Return the broth to the pot and stir in the lemon zest and juice.
  4. Bring the broth back to a simmer and add the orzo. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the orzo is tender.
  5. Add the cooked, shredded chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

For maximum flavor, be sure to simmer the chicken bones and aromatic vegetables for the full 2 hours. This will create a rich, gelatinous broth that forms the foundation of the soup. The addition of lemon zest and juice brightens the broth, while the orzo and shredded chicken make this a satisfying and comforting meal. This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.