This is the best Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe! This Chicken Orzo Soup is made with tender chicken with onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in a fresh lemon cream broth with fresh parmesan cheese. You will love this lemon chicken soup recipe!
I am full-on obsessed with this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe. The first time I tried it, my jaw dropped. It was creamy with bright lemon notes, tender chicken, orzo pasta, and the perfect amount of saltiness from the parmesan cheese. Then my husband tried it and this is now his favorite chicken soup recipe.
Why do I love this Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe?
- This Lemon Orzo Soup is comfort food in a bowl and is a fun twist on traditional chicken soup.
- This Lemon Chicken Soup has it all -- freshness, creaminess, heartiness, and is so full of flavor.
- It is easy to make...especially if you use shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Everyone loves this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe!
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Ingredients:
- Chicken -- I suggest using rotisserie chicken because it is super tender, flavorful and a huge time saver. You can also use poached chicken in this recipe -- just make sure to season it well with salt and pepper!
- Orzo Pasta -- is a thin, oval, rice-shaped pasta. It is a popular small pasta in Italy.
- Butter -- use salted butter to saute the vegetables in the orzo soup.
- Onion -- use a sweet onion or red onion in this chicken orzo soup.
- Fresh Lemon Juice -- for the most vibrant, fresh flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice from fresh lemons. For extra lemon flavor, add some lemon zest.
- Chicken Broth -- this is what gives the soup depth of flavor. The orzo will soak up the chicken broth so be prepared to add more chicken broth for a thinner soup.
- Heavy cream -- this adds rich, creaminess to the soup. May use half-n-half instead of heavy cream.
- Parmesan Cheese -- use freshly grated parmesan cheese for easier melting and better flavor.
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
- Fresh Parsley
Storage:
Store this chicken orzo soup in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. The orzo pasta will soak up the chicken broth so you may need to add more once it is refrigerated and reheated.
Popular Soup Recipes:
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe
- Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Creamy Spinach Artichoke Soup
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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Salted Butter
- 1 medium Onion (diced)
- 2 Carrots (diced)
- 2 Celery (chopped)
- 3 Garlic Cloves (finely diced)
- 6 to 8 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Orzo Pasta
- 2 to 3 cups Shredded Cooked Chicken Breast (from rotisserie chicken)
- 3 to 4 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- ½ to ¾ cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt and Pepper
- Fresh Italian Parsley (diced)
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Melt butter. Add onions, carrots, and celery and saute for 7-8 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add orzo and stir to coat with vegetables, about 1 minute. Add 6 cups of chicken broth and stir. Cook for 9-13 minutes or until the orzo is cooked and plump.
- Stir in chicken, fresh lemon juice, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. Let the soup heat up and thicken. If you want a thinner soup, you may add more chicken broth. The orzo pasta will soak up the chicken broth so you may need to add more in time.
- Taste for seasonings. If you want extra lemon flavor, add fresh lemon zest. Sprinkle with fresh Italian parsley and any extra freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Kimberly Hashagen
Do you think this would be good if I omitted the cream or substituted thinned Greek yogurt for it ?
Joan Van Leeuwen
I almost always add evaporated milk instead of cream. It’s handy in my pantry and can’t tell any difference.
Myrna
YES! I used creme fraishe because that's what I had. Worked very well. I think the purpose is viscosity and creaminess.. I also cut recipe way down due to small family.
Erin
Came together easy and is so light and delicious! Going in the rotation!
Modern Honey
Thank you so much, Erin! So happy you loved it...I appreciate you trying the recipe.
Modern Honey
I love that you used creme fraiche, Myrna! That is one of my favorite ingredients. It is perfect to add creaminess. Thanks for the suggestion!
Modern Honey
That's a great idea, Joan! Then you always have it on hand.
Modern Honey
Absolutely! You can omit the heavy cream or use half-n-half, whole milk, or even canned coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative. I haven't tried Greek yogurt but you could try to add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of greek yogurt. I hope that helps!
Cynthia Porcaro
We loved this soup!! Hubby said it was one of the best hes had and I make soup at least 2x a week. Going in the rotation!! Thanks!!
Modern Honey
That makes my day, Cynthia! Thank you for trying it and for making it over and over again. So glad you love it!
Modern Honey
Hi Kimberly! You could omit the heavy cream and it will be a more broth-like soup. I haven't tried thinned out greek yogurt in it. It would definitely add some tang to the soup!
Donna
I'm making this soup for dinner tonight. I have made it before and it is truly delicious. I have eaten so much over the Holidays, I need something a little lighter. I'll make enough to send to my son's work for all of the Firefighters can enjoy this soup. Thank you Melissa, we all will enjoy this dish...
Modern Honey
You are so awesome, Donna! Thank you so much for always trying my recipes and I hope you love this creamy orzo chicken soup!
Cindy
As soon as I seen this recipe I knew I had to try it. It's simmering now and smells delicious! I live anything lemon. I know it will be in my soup rotation 😋
Modern Honey
I love how fast you made this, Cindy! Thank you so much for trying it. I hope you loved it!
Jeff
This is an incredibly flavorful soup, I absolutely loved it! I am normally a big chicken noodle soup lover and I think this is even better. Thanks Modern Honey for helping me branch out and find new amazing recipes.
Modern Honey
Thanks, Jeff, for giving it a shot and branching out from classic chicken noodle soup. I agree...it tastes EVEN better. 🙂
Rebekah
I would love to make this soup but I would rather use a plant based milk instead of heavy cream or half & half, because I’m lactose intolerant; is this possible?
Modern Honey
Hi Rebekah! I think you could use canned coconut milk with no problem in this recipe. 🙂 It will take on a slightly coconut flavor but I think that would be delicious!
Susie
I would like to make this but so many in the family need gluten free so we avoid pasta. What would be a good alternative to the orzo? I know there are some GF pats brands but the family has not liked them—tend to get mushy when cooked a long time. But maybe there are some new products?? Thanks-love your recipes!
Lori Feierman
I would like the answer to your question too. Can we use Arborio rice perhaps?
Modern Honey
Hi Lori! I haven't tried this soup with arborio rice but it should work. Since arborio rice takes longer to cook than orzo, you will need to simmer it for longer. Arborio rice may be starchier than orzo pasta so I would suggest rinsing it twice (and draining it) before adding it to the soup. This will help reduce the starchiness. I hope this helps!
Modern Honey
Hi Susie! I would suggest using arborio rice instead since it is naturally gluten-free. I did reply to some other commenter below about how to use it in this recipe. I haven't recipe tested it in this particular recipe but I can give you some suggestions. 🙂
Linda Piekarski
I made this for dinner tonight. This is a very flavorful rich soup and very colorful as well! I actually doubled the recipe so I can freeze and have for more meals. Very tasty! 😋👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Modern Honey
Hi Linda! Thank you so much for trying out my lemon orzo soup recipe and I am so happy you loved it. That is a great idea to freeze it for future meals. 🙂
Mary
So good! Had half of a cooked chicken in the freezer to use. Followed the recipe as written. The lemon, the parmesan, the orzo, turned out great! My family loved it!
Modern Honey
Thanks so much, Mary! I am so glad you loved it. I agree -- the lemon, parmesan, and orzo all together are quite the combo.
Heather Peppers
I've made this soup three weeks in a row. I'm sick with a bad cold and this soup is like healing power in a bowl. Love this recipe!
Modern Honey
Thank you, Heather, for making it 3 weeks in a row! I appreciate it. I hope you are feeling better -- nothing better than chicken soup when you are sick.
Karen Jackson
I am new to Modern Honey, but I have a feeling I’m going to be a regular on this website. This soup was amazing! A definite keeper of a recipe. I will make it again and again! My husband and I LOVED it. Thank you!
Modern Honey
Welcome, Karen! I am so glad you are here. Thank you for making my lemon orzo soup and I am so happy you loved it!
Mary Anna
Hi - I am also new to Modern Honey., This looks and sounds amazing. What do you think of quinoa instead of orzo? Also, for the canned broth...any recommendations?