Quick & Cozy Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe for Heartwarming Comfort

Chicken orzo soup represents the ultimate comfort food, blending Mediterranean-inspired ingredients into a soul-warming culinary experience.

Delicate pasta intertwines with succulent protein, creating a harmonious texture that dances across your palate.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected spices redefine this simple soup into a remarkable meal that transcends ordinary dining.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together, making it an ideal solution for busy weeknights.

The broth’s depth develops through patient simmering, infusing each spoonful with layers of nuanced flavor.

Nutritious and satisfying, this soup offers a perfect balance between lightness and heartiness.

Prepare to fall in love with a soup that feels like a warm embrace.

How to Make Chicken Orzo Soup

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Vegetables

• Onion
• Fennel
• Garlic

Aim for uniform, small pieces to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped vegetables, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until vegetables become soft and fragrant, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Build Soup Foundation

Pour chicken broth into the pot with sautéed vegetables. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, creating a flavorful base for your soup.

Step 4: Add Protein and Pasta

• Diced rotisserie chicken
• Orzo pasta

Reduce heat and let the soup simmer until orzo becomes tender and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5: Incorporate Fresh Greens

Chop escarole into bite-sized pieces. Stir into the simmering soup along with a splash of fresh lemon juice. Continue cooking until escarole wilts and becomes tender.

Step 6: Perfect the Flavor

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning. Add more salt or lemon juice as needed to enhance the overall taste profile.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls. Serve immediately while piping hot for maximum flavor and comfort.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Orzo Soup

• Prep Ahead: Chop vegetables and shred chicken in advance to speed up cooking time and reduce stress during meal preparation.
• Broth Boost: Use homemade chicken broth for deeper, richer flavor that elevates the entire soup's taste profile.
• Orzo Timing: Add orzo toward the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a perfect al dente texture.
• Green Freshness: Chop escarole just before adding to preserve its vibrant color and crisp texture in the soup.
• Acid Balance: Adjust lemon juice carefully to brighten the soup without overwhelming the delicate chicken and vegetable flavors.

Storing and Reheating Chicken Orzo Soup

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken orzo soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the soup will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the soup completely before transferring to avoid bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Frozen soup maintains quality for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm the soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick. Heat until it reaches 165°F to ensure food safety, and enjoy your delicious soup just like the first day.

Pairing Chicken Orzo Soup with Crusty Bread

• Complement with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, rustic sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the delicious broth and add a delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken and orzo.
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a bright Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the soup's richness and enhance the lemony brightness of the dish.
• Serve with Fresh Herb Garnish: Top the soup with chopped fresh dill or parsley to add a vibrant, aromatic layer that elevates the overall flavor profile and provides a pop of color.
• Match with Light Citrus Salad: Create a simple side salad with mixed greens, segments of orange or grapefruit, and a light vinaigrette to complement the soup's zesty lemon notes.

Fun Variations of Chicken Orzo Soup

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace escarole with fresh spinach and add oregano, thyme, and a sprinkle of za'atar for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Orzo: Mix in diced green chiles, cumin, and top with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Creamy Mushroom Enrichment: Sauté sliced cremini mushrooms with the vegetables and stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for a richer, more luxurious soup experience.
• Harvest Vegetable Boost: Add diced carrots and celery during the initial sauté, and incorporate roasted butternut squash cubes just before serving for an autumnal touch.

Chicken Orzo Soup: A Hearty and Comforting Meal

• Savor Quick Comfort: This soup delivers a warm, satisfying meal in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something homemade but have limited time.
• Boost Nutrition Effortlessly: Packed with lean protein from rotisserie chicken, fiber-rich vegetables, and balanced macronutrients, this recipe provides a wholesome one-pot meal that supports healthy eating without complicated preparation.
• Customize with Ease: The flexible base allows for simple ingredient swaps or additions, letting home cooks personalize the soup according to their taste preferences or pantry contents while maintaining the delicious core flavor profile.
• Enjoy Bright Mediterranean Vibes: The combination of fennel, lemon juice, and fresh escarole creates a light, refreshing twist on traditional chicken soup, bringing a zesty Mediterranean-inspired touch to your dining experience.

Essential Ingredients for Chicken Orzo Soup

• Onion, Fennel, Garlic: Aromatic base that provides depth and flavor foundation for the soup.
• Escarole: Fresh leafy green that adds nutritional value and light bitterness to the soup.

• Rotisserie Chicken: Convenient pre-cooked protein that adds heartiness and saves cooking time.
• Orzo: Small pasta that provides texture and helps thicken the soup.

• Chicken Broth: Essential liquid base that creates the soups core flavor and adds moisture.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and contributes a subtle, rich undertone.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that balances flavors and adds freshness.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste profile of the soup.

Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean comfort arrives with this hearty chicken orzo soup, brimming with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and perfectly cooked pasta. Fragrant herbs and a lemony broth invite warmth to your kitchen, promising a soul-soothing meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 3 cups cooked and diced chicken (from about 1 rotisserie chicken)

Grains and Pasta:

• 0.75 cup (190 ml) dried orzo pasta

Primary Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 large or 2 small fennel bulbs
• 0.5 head escarole

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 (32-ounce) cartons low-sodium chicken broth (8 cups / 2.4 liters)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 0.5 lemon), plus more as needed
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meticulously dice the onion, fennel, and garlic into uniform, small pieces to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
2. Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, then introduce the chopped vegetable medley, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; sauté until the ingredients become translucent and fragrant, approximately 6-8 minutes.
3. Pour in the homemade or store-bought chicken broth, increasing the heat to bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
4. Gently incorporate pre-cooked rotisserie chicken pieces and orzo pasta into the bubbling broth, reducing heat to a gentle simmer and cooking until the orzo reaches an al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes.
5. Roughly chop the escarole into bite-sized ribbons, then carefully fold into the simmering soup along with freshly squeezed lemon juice (approximately or 30 milliliters).
6. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the escarole wilts and becomes tender, maintaining the soup’s vibrant green color and delicate texture.
7. Perform a final seasoning assessment, adjusting with additional salt (or 1.5 grams) or lemon juice to enhance the overall flavor profile.
8. Ladle the steaming soup into warmed serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a balanced mix of chicken, pasta, and vegetables.

Notes

• Chop vegetables ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and minimize kitchen prep stress.
• Rotisserie chicken provides a convenient, flavorful protein shortcut that saves significant cooking time.
• Fresh escarole adds crisp texture and bright green color, transforming this soup from basic to restaurant-worthy.
• Fennel brings subtle sweet anise undertones that complement the chicken and brighten the overall soup profile.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice just before serving to enhance the soup’s brightness and add a zesty finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 75mg