Description
A refreshing and hearty Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup featuring tender chicken, orzo pasta, and vibrant lemon juice, simmered with aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables to create a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring broth to simmer: In a large pot, heat the chicken broth over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer, preparing the base for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Cook chicken breasts: Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the simmering broth and cook for about 15-20 minutes until fully cooked through and tender.
- Shred chicken: Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the pot and allow them to cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Return shredded chicken: Place the shredded chicken back into the pot with the broth, ensuring the meat is evenly distributed.
- Add vegetables and herbs: Add diced carrots, diced onion, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pot, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
- Sauté vegetables slightly: Let the vegetables cook in the simmering broth for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften, enhancing their flavors.
- Cook orzo pasta: Add the orzo pasta to the pot and continue simmering for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Add lemon juice and parsley: Stir in the lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley for a bright and fresh flavor finish.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and make any necessary seasoning adjustments by adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as preferred.
- Serve hot: Ladle the Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup into bowls and serve immediately for a comforting and zesty meal.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control saltiness.
- Orzo pasta cooks quickly; avoid overcooking to maintain texture.
- Lemon juice adds brightness—adjust amount to taste.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with fresh dill for a different herbal note.
- Store leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on stovetop to avoid overcooking pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
