Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup
This soup is packed with delicious, citrusy flavors, with white beans, spinach, and orzo.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 304kcal
Ingredients
- 10 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 large
- 1 medium lemon halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning (with salt)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup orzo
- 1 can white beans drained and rinsed
- 3 cups kale or spinach torn into bite-size pieces
- Freshly grated Parmesan for serving
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the chicken breasts and cook at a low simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to cool.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the lemon halves, cut side down and leave them to cook for about 4 minutes. They will be lightly browned. Set them aside.
- Add olive oil to the pot, then add the onion. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, lemon pepper seasoning, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the broth and whisk up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Bring soup to a boil. Add the orzo and beans. Boil until orzo is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
- When the chicken is cooled enough, shred it.
- When orzo is done, add the chicken to the pot and turn off the heat.
- Add the greens to the pot and stir until wilted and incorporated.
- Squeeze the lemon halves into the soup (being careful not to add seeds).
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with Parmesan.
Notes
- If your lemon pepper seasoning does not contain salt, you will need to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt as well.
Nutrition
Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 353mg | Potassium: 894mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 3mg