Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Replies 1
Winter is well and truly upon us! It's a season typically characterised by chilly and gloomy weather, so it's natural that many people crave heartwarming meals filled with nutrients and comfort. To share the warmth, we've come across a delicious soup recipe that’ll not only leave you feeling cosy but also packs a nutritious punch!
Meet the Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Kale — a delightful concoction of vegetables, protein, and fibre that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds while keeping you feeling full and fuelled. Trust us, you’ll want to savour every last spoonful of this heavenly winter soup that pairs perfectly with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a side of garlic toast.
Ready to tantalise your taste buds? Let's dive into the ingredients and directions for this heartwarming dish.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried oregano and/or thyme, divided
1 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided
¾ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
4 cups unsalted chicken broth/stock
⅔ cup orzo pasta, preferably whole-wheat (substitutes include quinoa, arborio rice, or short-grain brown rice)
4 cups chopped kale (if you dislike kale, consider another leafy veg like spinach)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Directions
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. As you do this, introduce your chicken to the pot and sprinkle it with 1/2 teaspoon each of oregano (and/or thyme), salt, and pepper. Then, cook it for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it lightly browns. After that, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate.
Time for a veggie party! Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Give the vegetables a good stir and cook until they turn soft and lightly browned (about 3-5 minutes). Scrape up any browned bits to amplify the flavour and add more depth to your soup!
Next, add the garlic, bay leaf, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of oregano (and/or thyme) to the mix. Let this aromatic combination simmer for 30-60 seconds, stirring all the while to release the heavenly fragrances that will surely fill your kitchen.
It's time to bring on the broth! Add the chicken broth and allow it to reach boiling over high heat. Then, make room for the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
As your soup simmers, generously add the chopped kale and the chicken – don't forget the accumulated juices for extra richness! Keep the pot bubbling until the orzo turns tender and the chicken is cooked though (around 5-10 minutes more).
You're almost done! Remove the pot from the heat and take out the bay leaf.
Lastly, treat your soup with some zingy lemon zest, lemon juice, and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Give it a good stir to mingle the flavours, and voila!
There you have it — a scrumptious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup that'll warm your heart, belly, and soul. Remember that soups can be a fantastic way to use leftover veggies, so feel free to get creative and tailor the recipe to suit your preferences.
Enjoy this nutritious, heartwarming dish with your loved ones, and let us know how it turns out!
Source: YouTube/EatingWell
Meet the Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup with Kale — a delightful concoction of vegetables, protein, and fibre that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds while keeping you feeling full and fuelled. Trust us, you’ll want to savour every last spoonful of this heavenly winter soup that pairs perfectly with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a side of garlic toast.
Ready to tantalise your taste buds? Let's dive into the ingredients and directions for this heartwarming dish.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried oregano and/or thyme, divided
1 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided
¾ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
4 cups unsalted chicken broth/stock
⅔ cup orzo pasta, preferably whole-wheat (substitutes include quinoa, arborio rice, or short-grain brown rice)
4 cups chopped kale (if you dislike kale, consider another leafy veg like spinach)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Directions
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. As you do this, introduce your chicken to the pot and sprinkle it with 1/2 teaspoon each of oregano (and/or thyme), salt, and pepper. Then, cook it for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it lightly browns. After that, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate.
Time for a veggie party! Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Give the vegetables a good stir and cook until they turn soft and lightly browned (about 3-5 minutes). Scrape up any browned bits to amplify the flavour and add more depth to your soup!
Next, add the garlic, bay leaf, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of oregano (and/or thyme) to the mix. Let this aromatic combination simmer for 30-60 seconds, stirring all the while to release the heavenly fragrances that will surely fill your kitchen.
It's time to bring on the broth! Add the chicken broth and allow it to reach boiling over high heat. Then, make room for the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
As your soup simmers, generously add the chopped kale and the chicken – don't forget the accumulated juices for extra richness! Keep the pot bubbling until the orzo turns tender and the chicken is cooked though (around 5-10 minutes more).
You're almost done! Remove the pot from the heat and take out the bay leaf.
Lastly, treat your soup with some zingy lemon zest, lemon juice, and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Give it a good stir to mingle the flavours, and voila!
There you have it — a scrumptious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup that'll warm your heart, belly, and soul. Remember that soups can be a fantastic way to use leftover veggies, so feel free to get creative and tailor the recipe to suit your preferences.
Enjoy this nutritious, heartwarming dish with your loved ones, and let us know how it turns out!
Source: YouTube/EatingWell
.png){kind=icon}
