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Crockpot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Crockpot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

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  • Author: Miranda
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: Americaine

Description

Whip up a delicious Crockpot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup today! Discover a new favorite recipe for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 cups (1.9 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup (185g) uncooked orzo pasta
  • Zest and juice of 2 lemons (about ¼ cup juice)
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup (15g) fresh dill, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients Begin by seasoning your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. You’re not cooking the chicken through – just developing flavor. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  2. Step 2: Build the Soup Base To your crockpot, add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Stir in the dried thyme and oregano. Place the seared chicken on top of the vegetables, then add the bay leaves. Pour in the chicken broth, cover, and set your crockpot to LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  3. Step 3: Shred the Chicken When the chicken is tender enough to pull apart easily with two forks, remove it from the crockpot. Transfer to a cutting board and shred into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the crockpot. This usually happens around the 5-hour mark on LOW or 3-hour mark on HIGH.
  4. Step 4: Add the Orzo Stir the uncooked orzo into the soup, cover again, and cook on HIGH for 20-30 minutes until the orzo is tender but still has a slight bite. Remember, the orzo will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so don’t overcook it.
  5. Step 5: Finish with Creaminess and Brightness When the orzo is cooked, reduce the heat to LOW. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of hot broth from the soup with the heavy cream to temper it. Pour this mixture back into the crockpot along with the lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped spinach, and fresh dill. Stir gently and let it cook for another 10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and everything is heated through.
  6. Step 6: Serve Remove the bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Ladle your **Crockpot Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup** into bowls and top with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and fresh dill if desired.

Notes

Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg

Find it online: https://mirandameals.com/crockpot-creamy-lemon-chicken-orzo-soup/