A rich, creamy, and lemony soup you can enjoy year-round! You’ll love this creamy lemon orzo chicken soup with lemon zest, orzo pasta, juicy chicken, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. It’s packed full of incredible lemon flavor! Enjoy this lemon chicken soup with more parmesan cheese on top and a side of crispy, toasted bread.

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Ingredients for Orzo Chicken Soup

Here are my tips for the main ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious chicken soup! Find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.

• Chicken – both chicken breast and chicken thigh will work great for this soup. Cube it into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Orzo Pasta – this small, rice-like pasta is great for soups! You can also use other small pasta varieties.
• White Wine – I usually use chardonnay for this recipe. You can replace the wine with chicken broth and a few extra tablespoons of lemon juice.
• Fresh Dill & Parsley – fresh herbs are a must as they add the most amount of flavor and aroma.
• Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano
• Lemons – you’ll need both the lemon zest and the lemon juice.
• Chicken Broth – both broth and stock will work great.
• Cream – use regular cream, or half-and-half for a lower-fat version.
• Parmesan Cheese – I love to add lots of cheese to the soup and more as topping.

Supplies & Tools for the Recipe

Need some supplies or tools to make this delicious lemon chicken soup? Shop my Amazon Affiliate links for the items I love! Using these links won’t cost you extra and I’ll earn a small commission.

• Stainless Steel Soup Pot
• Rubber Spatulas
• Wusthof Ikon Santoku Knife
• Epicurean Cutting Boards
• OXO Citrus Zester/Grater

Preparing the Chicken for the Soup

My lemon orzo chicken soup tastes great with both chicken breast and chicken thigh. Use whichever one you prefer.

1. Cube the chicken into small, 1-inch pieces and set into a bowl. Preheat a large soup pot over medium-high heat until it’s very hot. Drizzle in some avocado oil.
2. Once the oil is smoky, add in half the chicken. I recommend browning the chicken in batches for the best results. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper, then fry until golden brown all over.
3. Remove the chicken from the pot with a slotted spatula and set aside into a bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken.

How to Make Lemon Orzo Chicken Soup

This lemon chicken soup is super easy to make and comes together quickly! Here’s how it’s made:

1. Into the same soup pot, add a few tablespoons of butter, diced onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Toss everything together and sauté the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onion is translucent, and carrots are tender.
2. Next, add in the garlic, fresh thyme, chopped rosemary, and oregano. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Stir and cook for about 30 seconds. Add in the flour next, toss until it’s completely absorbed, and cook for 1 minute.
3. Next, pour in the white wine and lemon juice. You can replace the wine with chicken broth and an additional 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Allow the wine to reduce in half, simmering on medium heat for about 6 to 8 minutes.
4. Pour in the chicken broth next and return the browned chicken to the pot. Bring the broth up to a simmer over medium-high heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Add the orzo pasta next to the soup. Cook the pasta according to package instructions; mine needed just 10 minutes.

Adding the Finishing Touches

Once the orzo pasta has cooked according to package instructions, pour in the cream and add the parmesan cheese, parsley, dill, and the zest of 2 large lemons.

Heat the soup just until it comes to a low, slow simmer, then remove it from the heat. Cover and let the soup stand for 30 minutes to thicken.

Serving Suggestions for Lemon Chicken Soup

I love to serve this lemon chicken soup with buttered, toasted bread on the side. Top each soup bowl with additional parmesan cheese, if desired. Season with extra black pepper and enjoy!

This soup freezes well, too. You can freeze leftovers in plastic freezer containers, then defrost in the refrigerator.

More Recipes to Try!

Enjoyed this delicious chicken soup? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to love!

• Creamy & Smoky ‘Marry Me’ Chicken Soup – rich and creamy chicken soup with bacon, cheddar cheese, peppers, and more! An instant hit!
• The Best Chicken Noodle Soup – with homemade chicken broth! This soup is the ultimate comfort food!
• Creamy Chicken Stew – a hearty chicken stew with bacon bits, mushrooms, and parmesan cheese!
• Bacon Chicken Gnocchi Soup – the best chicken gnocchi soup recipe, with smoky bacon, spinach, gnocchi, and more!

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