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–+ servings

Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Luxuriously creamy, vibrant, and comforting, this creamy lemon chicken orzo soup combines tender shredded chicken, al dente orzo pasta, and tender baby spinach in a silky, lemon-infused golden broth finished with fresh dill. A 30-minute one-pot dinner that warms your soul.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: dinner, Soup
Cuisine: Greek American, Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

Aromatics & Soup Base (100% Halal Wholesome)
  • 2 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium Yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 2 medium Carrots (peeled and sliced into rounds)
  • 2 stalks Celery (thinly sliced)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (finely minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon Dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon Freshly cracked black pepper
Simmering Broth, Chicken & Orzo
  • 1.25 lbs Boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) Halal certified
  • 6 cups Low-sodium chicken broth (or rich bone broth)
  • 1 cup Dry orzo pasta (uncooked)
  • 1 whole Bay leaf
Finishing Velvet & Fresh Herbs
  • ½ cup Heavy cream (or full-fat coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • ⅓ cup Freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 juicy lemons)
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh lemon zest
  • 3 cups Fresh baby spinach (loosely packed, roughly chopped)
  • 3 tablespoon Fresh dill (finely chopped, plus extra for serving)
  • 1 lemon Thinly sliced lemon wheels (for rustic garnish)

Method
 

Preparation & Cooking
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until the vegetables soften and begin to sweeten.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Sauté for 60 to 90 seconds until richly fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
  3. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Place the raw chicken breasts directly into the liquid. Bring the pot to a vigorous boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer gently for 14 to 16 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  4. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean cutting board. Shred into tender bite-sized ribbons using two forks and set aside.
  5. With the soup simmering over medium heat, stir in the dry uncooked orzo pasta. Cook uncovered for 9 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently along the bottom of the pot to prevent the pasta from sticking, until the orzo is perfectly al dente.
  6. Discard the bay leaf. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, baby spinach, and fresh chopped dill. Let simmer gently on low heat for 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the broth turns luxuriously silky and golden.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional sea salt, cracked black pepper, or an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. Ladle into warm bowls, float a fresh lemon wheel on top, garnish with fresh dill, and serve immediately with crusty sourdough bread.

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