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Fresh Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup with Dill

fresh lemony chicken orzo soup with dill - featured image
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A light and bright chicken soup featuring tender chicken, orzo pasta, fresh lemon, and dill, perfect for a comforting yet refreshing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g), trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3/4 cup orzo (about 120 g)
  • 6 cups chicken broth (1.4 liters), homemade or low-sodium store-bought
  • 2 medium lemons, zest and juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of white wine when sautéing

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (10 minutes): Finely chop the onion, carrot, and celery. Mince the garlic and chop the fresh dill. Zest and juice the lemons separately.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables (5-7 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally until vegetables soften and onion is translucent.
  3. Add Garlic and Chicken (2-3 minutes): Add minced garlic and chicken pieces. Stir frequently until chicken starts to turn white but is not fully cooked.
  4. Pour in Broth and Simmer (15 minutes): Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  5. Add Orzo and Cook (8-10 minutes): Stir in orzo and simmer until pasta is tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
  6. Season and Add Lemon (2 minutes): Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Final Taste and Adjustments: Stir and taste the soup. Adjust seasoning with salt, broth, or lemon juice as needed.
  8. Serve Hot: Ladle soup into bowls and serve immediately, optionally with crusty bread or a simple salad.

Notes

Do not overcook the orzo to avoid mushiness. Add lemon juice and dill at the end to preserve brightness and flavor. Use fresh dill if possible for best taste. Simmer gently to keep chicken tender and broth clear. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with gluten-free pasta or quinoa. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days; add broth when reheating to loosen soup. Freeze before adding orzo to avoid mushy pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, lemon soup, orzo soup, dill, easy soup recipe, quick chicken soup, healthy soup, comfort food

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/fresh-lemony-chicken-orzo-soup-with-dill-easy-homemade-recipe/