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    Home » Recipes » Main Course

    Greek Chicken Soup with Lemon and Orzo

    October 3, 2024 by christina.klapper 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This Greek chicken soup with lemon and orzo is so warm, comforting and flavorful! It’s made in one pot in under 30 minutes and it’s so perfect for the cooler weather in the fall and winter months! This recipe makes for the perfect weeknight dinner and your whole family will be sure to love it!

    This is a top view of my greek chicken soup with lemon and orzo in a bowl with a golden spoon.

    This recipe is rich in flavor and packed in nutrients. If you love this recipe, you will love my other one pot dinners:

    • Easy Turkey Lasagna Soup
    • One Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo
    • Easy Viral Gyoza Soup
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Soup
    • One Pot
    • Jump to: Recipe
    • Food Safety

    Ingredients

    This is a top view of all the ingredients used within this greek lemon orzo soup on a cutting board.
    • Avocado Oil: high quality, heart healthy oil with a high smoke point that’s perfect for cooking.
    • Carrots, Diced: part of the mirepoix, adds a flavorful base for the soup as well as fiber and nutrients.
    • Celery, Diced: part of the mirepoix, adds a flavorful base for the soup as well as fiber and nutrients.
    • Medium Onion, Diced: part of the mirepoix, adds a flavorful base for the soup as well as fiber and nutrients.
    • Garlic Cloves, Minced: adds a flavorful aromatic base for the soup
    • Salt and Pepper, To Taste
    • Shredded or Pulled Chicken: I used rotisserie chicken which is a convenient lean protein source for the dish.
    • Chicken Bone Broth: Adds protein, collagen and other important vitamins and minerals to the dish. Can be substituted for regular chicken broth if no bone broth is available or on hand.
    • Bay Leaf
    • Dried Thyme
    • Dry Orzo: a pasta that’s shaped like a large grain of rice and used in many soups!
    • Lemon, Juiced: Adds a refreshing tartness to the soup!
    • Fresh Parsley, Chopped To Garnish: Adds a brightness to the flavors of the soup as well as some color!

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    1. Start by preparing your vegetables according to the descriptions above (dicing your carrots, celery and onion) and preparing your chicken.
    2. Add avocado oil to a large pot on medium heat. When your oil is hot, add in your diced carrots, celery, onions and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste and saute for 5-6 minutes or until your vegetables begin to soften.
    3. Next, add in your pulled rotisserie chicken, chicken bone broth, your bay leaf and crushed dried thyme. Stir, cover and bring your pot to a simmer.
    4. Add in your dry orzo and then cook for 7-9 minutes or until your orzo is tender and cooked through.
    5. Remove your pot from heat and then add in your freshly squeezed lemon juice. Taste your soup and adjust your seasonings as needed. Add in your chopped parsley to garnish. Serve and enjoy!
    This is a side view close up of my greek chicken soup with lemon and orzo in a bowl with a golden spoon.

    Substitutions

    • Gluten-Free -use gluten-free orzo to make this recipe gluten-free. Alternatively, you can use chickpea pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
    • Vegetarian – use silken tofu instead of pulled chicken to make this recipe vegetarian.
    • Chicken bone broth– can be substituted for chicken broth or chicken bouillon.
    • Pulled rotisserie chicken– can cook chicken breast by sautéing or boiling and shredding chicken as well.

    This recipe is already dairy-free as is.

    Variations

    • Spicy – add chili pepper flakes to garnish to add some heat to the dish.

    This recipe is already toddler and kid-friendly.

    Equipment

    All you need to make this Greek chicken soup with lemon and orzo is:

    • A Medium (6-7 quart) Dutch Oven: Here is a cheap dutch oven if you are in the market for one. I have the Le Creuset Enamled pan as well as the Caraway dutch oven which I also love! You can also just use a 6-7 quart pot.

    Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.

    Storage

    This dish is best enjoyed fresh, however, leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You may need to add more chicken broth if desired as the orzo will soak up a lot of the broth when stored.

    Soup

    Looking for other soup recipes like this? Try these:

    • One Pot Libyan Soup
    • Simple Middle Eastern Lentil Soup (Instant Pot)
    • This is a photo of the healthy instant pot chicken noodle soup in a bowl topped with parsley and a golden spoon in the bowl.
      Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

    One Pot

    Looking for other one pot recipes? Try these:

    • Chicken Fajita Tacos
    • Gut Nourishing Soup
    • Healthy Taco Pasta
    • One Pot Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

    Jump to: Recipe

    Greek Chicken Soup with Lemon and orzo

    This Greek chicken soup with lemon and orzo is so warm, comforting and flavorful! It's made in one pot in under 30 minutes and it's so perfect for the cooler weather in the fall and winter months! This recipe makes for the perfect weeknight dinner and your whole family will be sure to love it!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Main Dish, Soup
    Cuisine greek
    Servings 4
    Calories 383 kcal

    Equipment

    • 6-7 Quart Dutch Oven or Large Pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil
    • 2 Medium Carrots Diced
    • 3 Celery Stocks Diced
    • 1 Medium Onion Diced
    • 2-3 Garlic Cloves Minced
    • Salt and Pepper To Taste
    • 2.5-3 Cups Cooked, Shredded or Pulled Chicken (I used a Rotisserie Chicken)
    • 6 Cups Chicken Bone Broth
    • 1 Bay Leaf
    • 1 Tablespoon Dried Thyme
    • 1 Cup Dry Orzo
    • 1 Lemon Juiced
    • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley Chopped To Garnish
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Start by preparing your vegetables according to the descriptions above (dicing your carrots, celery and onion) and preparing your chicken.
    • Add avocado oil to a large pot on medium heat. When your oil is hot, add in your diced carrots, celery, onions and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste and saute for 5-6 minutes or until your vegetables begin to soften.
    • Next, add in your pulled rotisserie chicken, chicken bone broth, your bay leaf and crushed dried thyme. Stir, cover and bring your pot to a simmer.
    • Add in your dry orzo and then cook for 7-9 minutes or until your orzo is tender and cooked through.
    • Remove your pot from heat and then add in your freshly squeezed lemon juice. Taste your soup and adjust your seasonings as needed. Add in your chopped parsley to garnish. Serve and enjoy!

    Video

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Christina Klapper, RDN | Easy Dinners (@easyeatsdietitian)

    Notes

    Please scroll up to view substitutions (including dietary substitutions), variations, and storage tips!
     
    If you make this recipe, please don’t forget to leave a rating and review! It would mean so much to me! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 383kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 44gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 483mgPotassium: 584mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 5454IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword chicken noodle soup, Greek Chicken Soup with Lemon and orzo, lemon and orzo
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food Safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Related

    More Main Course

    • Chicken Fattoush Salad
    • Ground Turkey and Zucchini Meal Prep
    • Easy and Healthy Chili Mac
    • Healthy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

    Comments

    1. J says

      October 22, 2024 at 12:46 am

      Can this be put in the freezer?

      Reply
      • christina.klapper says

        October 22, 2024 at 1:27 am

        Yes! The orzo can become a bit mushy when reheated after freezing because pasta tends to absorb liquid.

        To avoid this, you can cook the orzo separately and add it when reheating the soup, or cook the orzo only partially before freezing.

        You also may want to add a little more broth during reheating, as the soup can thicken after freezing!!

        Reply
    2. Ashley H. says

      October 27, 2024 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is amazing and so easy to make! My husband (and kids) devour it! Adding the lemon in at the end is what sets this soup apart from all the others. Thanks for sharing this, it is now one of my go-to recipes!

      Reply
      • christina.klapper says

        October 27, 2024 at 6:18 pm

        I’m so glad you and your family loved it Ashley!!!! Thank you so much for the sweet review and comments 🤎

        Reply
    3. Donna says

      December 16, 2024 at 9:19 pm

      Hi
      If you use a rotisserie chicken that has been in fridge(same day as purchased/cooked) then you make soup, is it still safe to reheat and eat leftovers?
      How many times can chicken be reheated, 3?

      Reply
      • christina.klapper says

        December 16, 2024 at 10:43 pm

        Hey Donna! That’s a great question. Typically chicken or any food can only be reheated once, so I would recommend making with a fresh rotisserie chicken if you plan on having leftovers!

        Reply
    4. Bre says

      December 26, 2024 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! I use bone broth and chickpea orzo to increase the protein. What is a serving size of this soup?

      Reply
      • christina.klapper says

        December 26, 2024 at 8:00 pm

        Oh my gosh! I didn’t realize they made chickpea orzo! That’s wonderful!! I’m so glad you love it! Also, I don’t have a specific amount, just whatever the soup makes divided into 4 portions!

        Reply
    5. Carrie says

      February 02, 2025 at 10:44 pm

      Can this be made a few days before serving?

      Reply
      • christina.klapper says

        February 03, 2025 at 3:59 am

        One of the few dishes that should probably be served fresh! Orzo soaks up a lot of liquid and it wouldn’t be much of a soup if it was made several days in advance!

        Reply
    6. Anne says

      February 08, 2025 at 12:14 am

      5 stars
      Great flavor and super easy to make.

      Reply
      • christina.klapper says

        February 08, 2025 at 3:12 am

        So glad you loved it Anne!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Christina! I'm a Registered Dietitian, wife and mom that’s passionate about sharing all the tips, tricks, and recipes to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I’m a strong believer that balance is the key to success. It doesn’t need to be difficult, so come join the fun!

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