Yum
Nothing says comfort like a hearty bowl of chicken soup.
Winter is the time to use all the citrus you can. Lemons are in abundance right now and they brighten up any dish. So if you are a little under the weather, or just want hot comfort food on a cold day turn to my Greek Style Lemony Chicken and Orzo Soup.
This soup is full of hearty vegetables and tender chicken in a bright lemony broth. This is sooooo comforting it will satisfy you any night of the week. PLUS, it's easy to make!
If you have some leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken handy you can throw this soup together in about 30-45 minutes. That's perfect for a weeknight meal!
I cooked the pasta separately and added it to the soup at the end so that it doesn't absorb all the broth. I've found out the hard way that this tiny pasta can really drink up all your broth! Also, the lemon and fresh parsley are added at the end as well for a bright and fresh finish. To flavor the broth even more I added whole sprigs of rosemary and thyme. Make sure that you watch them and take them out before the rosemary falls off from the stems. (Another lesson learned on one of my previous soups!) I just don't like the hard woody stems floating around in my broth. (I'm picky that way)
I used my multi-purpose pot to make the soup. It's large enough to hold it all well and cooks evenly. I love this pot and use it with many of my dishes. You can find it here.
Serve this with my Simple Garlic Cheese Bread for a great side dish. With the flavors of Parmesan and garlic these make great dippers for your soup.
Kitchen Tip: #1 The cooked orzo is added just before serving. If added to the soup earlier, it will absorb too much of the broth and become mushy.
#2 Only keep the sprigs of rosemary and thyme in the simmering broth for about 10 minutes and then remove before they separate from their stems.
Enjoy!
Greek Style Lemony Chicken and Orzo Soup
serves 6
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrots, sliced or diced
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
4 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
1/2 cup dry orzo pasta
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon
salt and black pepper to taste
In a large pot over medium heat sweat your onions, celery, carrots and garlic until softened, about 10 minutes.
Add broth, water, bay leaves, thyme and rosemary sprigs. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer about 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Add in chicken and orzo. Simmer until chicken is heated through. About 10 minutes. Add parsley, zest and lemon juice right before serving. Season with salt and pepper as well.
Winter is the time to use all the citrus you can. Lemons are in abundance right now and they brighten up any dish. So if you are a little under the weather, or just want hot comfort food on a cold day turn to my Greek Style Lemony Chicken and Orzo Soup.
This soup is full of hearty vegetables and tender chicken in a bright lemony broth. This is sooooo comforting it will satisfy you any night of the week. PLUS, it's easy to make!
GREEK STYLE LEMONY CHICKEN AND ORZO SOUP
If you have some leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken handy you can throw this soup together in about 30-45 minutes. That's perfect for a weeknight meal!
I cooked the pasta separately and added it to the soup at the end so that it doesn't absorb all the broth. I've found out the hard way that this tiny pasta can really drink up all your broth! Also, the lemon and fresh parsley are added at the end as well for a bright and fresh finish. To flavor the broth even more I added whole sprigs of rosemary and thyme. Make sure that you watch them and take them out before the rosemary falls off from the stems. (Another lesson learned on one of my previous soups!) I just don't like the hard woody stems floating around in my broth. (I'm picky that way)
I used my multi-purpose pot to make the soup. It's large enough to hold it all well and cooks evenly. I love this pot and use it with many of my dishes. You can find it here.
Serve this with my Simple Garlic Cheese Bread for a great side dish. With the flavors of Parmesan and garlic these make great dippers for your soup.
Kitchen Tip: #1 The cooked orzo is added just before serving. If added to the soup earlier, it will absorb too much of the broth and become mushy.
#2 Only keep the sprigs of rosemary and thyme in the simmering broth for about 10 minutes and then remove before they separate from their stems.
Enjoy!
Greek Style Lemony Chicken and Orzo Soup
serves 6
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrots, sliced or diced
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
4 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
1/2 cup dry orzo pasta
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon
salt and black pepper to taste
In a large pot over medium heat sweat your onions, celery, carrots and garlic until softened, about 10 minutes.
Add broth, water, bay leaves, thyme and rosemary sprigs. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer about 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Add in chicken and orzo. Simmer until chicken is heated through. About 10 minutes. Add parsley, zest and lemon juice right before serving. Season with salt and pepper as well.
