Description
Hearty chicken basil orzo soup delivers comforting Mediterranean flavors in one delightful bowl. Homemade goodness combines tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and silky orzo for a satisfying meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 cups (1.9 L) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (8 oz/226 g) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup (135 g) orzo
- ½ cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (75 g) chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 cups (90 g) chopped fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) tomato paste
- 4 tsps minced garlic
- 4 tsps chopped fresh basil
- 2 tsps kosher salt or to taste
- 1.5 tsps Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Searing Chicken: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C). Add chicken pieces and sear until golden brown on all sides, creating a flavorful foundation for the soup.
- Aromatic Base: Introduce minced garlic, tomato paste, and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot. Stir continuously to develop a rich, fragrant base without burning the ingredients.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Incorporate basil, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Pasta Integration: Sprinkle orzo into the simmering liquid. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping, until pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency.
- Final Touches: Lower heat and fold in fresh spinach leaves. Add cream cheese and parmesan, stirring gently for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and spinach wilts, creating a luxuriously creamy and harmonious soup.
Notes
- Sear Chicken Perfectly: Brown chicken pieces thoroughly for maximum flavor development and create a rich golden exterior that locks in moisture.
- Prevent Garlic Burning: Add garlic quickly after searing chicken and stir constantly to avoid bitter, scorched taste that can ruin the entire soup’s flavor profile.
- Pasta Stirring Technique: Gently stir orzo every few minutes to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking, checking texture to achieve ideal al dente consistency.
- Cheese Melting Secrets: Add cream cheese and parmesan off direct heat, stirring slowly to create a smooth, velvety texture without potential separation or graininess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 478
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 754 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 118 mg