Description
This comforting Chicken Orzo Soup is packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving
- 1 medium fennel bulb or 3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 pounds), trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
- 1 cup orzo
- 1/3 cup tahini, optional
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
- 1 lemon, finely grated zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Freshly ground black pepper, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the fennel or celery, onions, coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and cook until softened and nearly translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the broth, chicken, and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, cover, and let stand until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. It should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it sit until cool enough to handle. Using two forks or your hands, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the soup to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the orzo and simmer until tender, 11 to 13 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Take the soup off the heat and stir in the tahini, if using, dill, lemon zest and juice, and shredded chicken. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve drizzled with extra olive oil and sprinkled with lots of black pepper and extra fresh dill.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The orzo will absorb broth as it’s stored, so you may need to add a bit more chicken broth or water when you reheat it.
- If you’re making the soup ahead of time, you can cook it without the orzo, tahini, lemon zest and juice, and dill. When reheating the soup, bring it to a simmer, cook the orzo, and finish with the aromatics.
- Freeze the soup in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze it without the orzo, tahini, lemon, and dill, adding them when you reheat the soup.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider garnishing with more fresh dill or lemon slices.
- This soup is great for meal prep; just adjust the orzo when reheating as it absorbs liquids.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg