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Cookhouse Diary » Recipes » Main Course

Chicken Orzo Soup

Published: May 13, 2023 · Modified: Jul 7, 2023 by Nataša · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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This chicken orzo soup recipe is so light and healthy. Loaded with tender chicken meat and veggies, it’s a hug in a bowl!

Chicken orzo soup in a bowl.

This chicken orzo soup is one of my mom’s recipes. Just one spoonful of that savory soup recipe, and I am back to my childhood. Sunday lunch would always start with some soup – it’s a tradition in my family.

If you’re looking for a filling meal, try making homemade beef stew. Also, if you’re interested in chicken recipes, this Cajun chicken orzo dish is worth considering.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • What is Orzo
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • Other Recipes You’ll Love
  • Related
  • Recipe

Ingredients

Chicken orzo soup ingredients in individual bowls.

Here is the complete list of all ingredients needed for this recipe. For precise measurements, please look at the recipe card.

  • Onion: adding flavor.
  • Oil: I used canola oil, but you can use any oil you prefer.
  • Chicken breast meat: I used two medium/large chicken breasts for this recipe.
  • Carrots: I used two large carrots. They are adding flavor and are full of nutrients.
  • Parsnip: I used one medium-size parsnip. It’s rich in antioxidants, fiber and it supports immune function.
  • Peas: I used frozen peas. It’s always easy to have a frozen bag of peas on hand.
  • Vegeta seasoning: I used my favorite seasoning, Vegeta. I use it for most of my recipes. I talked more about Vegeta in my Homemade Beef Stew recipe.
  • Salt: adding flavor.
  • Water: I used water. I experimented with chicken stock for this recipe, but the taste is different, so I would not recommend it.
  • Orzo: The amazing pasta shaped like rice. You can find it in most grocery stores.
  • Sour cream: This might come as a surprise, but trust me – it’s soooo good.
  • Lemon juice: I used fresh lemon juice. Just add a squeeze of lemon juice to the individual serving.

What is Orzo

There is always that dilemma – is orzo rice or pasta? An orzo is a form of short-cut pasta shaped like a grain of rice. It’s made out of durum wheat.

Orzo pasta in a bowl overhead shot.

Instructions

  1. Sauté onion and chicken.
  2. Add vegetables, seasoning, water and bring to boil.
  3. Simmer for 45 minutes.
  4. Add orzo and simmer for another 10 min.
  5. Add sour cream and gently mix.

That’s it! You have a homemade chicken orzo soup.

Chicken orzo soup in a spoon closeup shot.

Storage

Keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 48 hours. 

FAQ

Can I use different shape of pasta?

Yes, absolutely! Any short-cut pasta will work for this recipe. Just adjust the time of cooking pasta per package instructions.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

  • Homemade Beef Stew
  • Green Peas Soup
  • Cajun Chicken Orzo
  • Cajun Salmon Pasta
  • Cajun Shrimp and Rice Pilaf

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Green peas soup in a bowl on a plate.
    Green Peas Soup
  • Beef stew in a bowl overhead shot.
    Homemade Beef Stew
  • Creamy cajun chicken orzo bowl.
    Cajun Chicken Orzo
  • Cajun shrimp and rice pilaf in a bowl overhead.
    Cajun Shrimp and Rice Pilaf

Recipe

Chicken orzo soup in a bowl overhead shot.

Chicken Orzo Soup

Nataša
This chicken orzo soup recipe is so light and healthy. Loaded with tender chicken meat and veggies, it's a hug in a bowl!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine Serbian
Servings 8
Calories 254 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot or dutch oven
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 2 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1.5 lb uncooked chicken breast (diced into bite-size pieces)
  • 2 large carrots (peeled and diced)
  • 1 parsnip (peeled and diced)
  • 1.1 lb frozen peas
  • 5 teaspoon Vegeta seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt (more if needed)
  • 13 cups water
  • ½ cup orzo
  • 5 tablespoon sour cream
  • a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (to individual serving)
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Instructions
 

  • Add oil and onion to a large soup pot and sauté on medium-high heat for 5 min.
  • Add chicken and 3 teaspoon of Vegeta seasoning and mix until well combined. Add 1 cup of water and simmer for 10 min.
  • Add peas, carrots, parnship and 2 teaspoon of Vegeta seasoning, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add 12 cups of water and bring the soup to a boil.
  • Cover the soup (lid slightly ajar) and reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 45 min.
  • Stir in the orzo and cook for another 10 minutes. Stir it often because orzo tends to stick to the bottom of the pot.
  • Remove from heat and add sour cream. Mix gently, so the sour cream does not dissolve completely, and some bite-size pieces are left. Add more salt if needed. Serve immediately. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to individual servings.

Notes

  • Add more water (and seasoning – if needed) to the leftovers as the orzo soaks it up.
  •  Heat up the leftovers on the stove and add more sour cream if preferred.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 23gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 991mgPotassium: 639mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 3097IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Hi, I’m Nataša – a Serbian-born blogger sharing Balkan comfort food and cozy drinks. These recipes are rooted in tradition and tested in my kitchen.

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