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Lemon chicken orzo soup has earned its reputation as a “healing” dish due to its blend of health-boosting ingredients. This comforting bowl features Vitamin C-rich lemon, protein-loaded chicken, and the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic, all swimming in a hydrating broth to combat colds, alleviate congestion, and support recovery. It’s a nutrient-rich meal that is easy on the stomach, packed with essential vitamins, and serves as a flavorful alternative to the classic chicken noodle soup.
Meteorologist Jacob Dickey shared his simple one-pot recipe on The Morning Show, making it accessible to all.
INGREDIENTS:
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
-3 celery stalks, diced
-1/2 medium onion, diced
-6 cloves of garlic, minced
-2 tablespoons flour
-6 1/2 cups chicken bone broth
-1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
-1.5 pounds chicken breasts
-1 cup uncooked orzo
-A generous handful of spinach
-2 tablespoons lemon juice, adjust to taste
-1 tablespoon freshly chopped dill, adjust to taste
-Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, and onion, stirring occasionally until the vegetables become tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the aroma fills the kitchen.
3. Sprinkle in the flour and mix well, letting it cook for another minute.
4. Slowly add the broth while stirring, this helps keep the soup smooth and the flour from clumping up.
5. Add the Italian seasoning and place the chicken breasts into the pot. Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer, until the chicken is fully cooked, about 15 minutes.
7. Remove the chicken from the pot and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add chicken to the soup, then stir in the orzo.
8. Continue cooking until the orzo is al dente, stirring often around 10 minutes.
9. Add the spinach and cook until wilted.
10. Serve and finish with lemon zest, fresh dill, Parmesan, and salt & pepper on top.
TIPS & TRICKS
– Use fresh lemon for juice, as the flavor is unparalleled. You can also easily double the amount of juice with minimal changes. I used 4T instead of 2T and loved it!
– If you don’t have orzo noodles, you can use any type of pasta noodle, but the orzo is similar to rice in size and texture and is a nice change of pace. It’s available at most grocery stores in the boxed pasta aisle.
– You can use regular broth, and you can even use bullion cubes if you wanted in substitute of broth.