Description
Mediterranean warmth fills Orzo and Herb-Infused Chicken Soup with comforting layers of flavor. Delicate herbs and tender chicken create a nourishing meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 64 fl oz (1.89 L) chicken broth
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped and some sprigs for garnish
- 1–2 tbsps olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tsps ground coriander
- 1 tsp sea salt, more to taste
- ½ tsp fresh ground pepper, more to taste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Creme Fraîche or sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: In a large pot, warm olive oil over medium heat, gently cooking diced onions until they become translucent and soft, approximately 5 minutes.
- Vegetable Layer: Add chopped celery, carrots, and minced garlic to the pot, sautéing until vegetables are tender and garlic releases its aromatic essence, about 6 minutes.
- Liquid Composition: Pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, introducing shredded chicken, green peas, ground coriander, and lemon zest. Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing flavors to harmonize for 12-15 minutes while maintaining a gentle simmer.
- Pasta Integration: Simultaneously cook orzo in a separate pot according to package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly in a colander. Fold freshly chopped dill and lemon juice into the simmering soup, seasoning with salt and black pepper to create a balanced flavor profile.
- Final Assembly: Gently incorporate the cooked orzo into the soup moments before serving, ensuring the pasta absorbs the broth’s rich flavors without becoming mushy. Ladle into warm bowls, optionally garnishing with additional fresh herbs for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Sauté Secrets: Always cook onions, celery, and carrots slowly to develop deep, rich flavor foundations without burning vegetables.
- Herb Harmony: Add fresh dill and lemon juice at the end of cooking to preserve their bright, vibrant taste and prevent flavor degradation.
- Pasta Precision: Cook orzo separately and add just before serving to maintain perfect texture and prevent mushy, overcooked pasta.
- Broth Boost: Use homemade chicken broth if possible for enhanced depth and richness in the soup’s overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg